This post contains affiliate links.
What is on my gear list for sourdough baking? Bread has three ingredients, all of which are very inexpensive: flour, water, and salt. You can make lots of sourdough for less than $20. Here are the ingredients I use:
Ingredients
Gear List for a Starter
The starter is made from the above ingredients, but takes about two weeks of attention before it is ready to use. When I first started out, I used wide-mouth Ball jars, but I found them difficult to clean because my hands didn’t fit in easily, so I switched to other jars. You will need at least two jars.
Jars
Typically, I mark the beginning volume with rubber bands and note the date with a Sharpie pen. Here are some options for jars ranging from $1.50 to $20:
Digital Scale – MUST
This is the most important thing! Everything is done by weight, so you must have a working scale. They cost about $25.
Kitchen Items
You can stir the flour and water into the starter with a spurtle, but I don’t. Instead, I weigh out equal parts of starter, flour, and water into a mixing bowl and whisk them together. Then put the fresh starter into a clean jar. The discard is either saved or turned into a new starter to share with friends.
things you probably have on hand
read more
Gear List for Making the Dough
When you are ready to make the dough, you will go through many steps: hydration, stretch-and-fold, and proofing. I use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to hydrate the flour, then switch to a dough hook to incorporate the starter and salt. Mixers are very expensive, so this is optional; if you have one, great, but if not, you can use your hands or a spatula.
nice to have
Proofing the Dough
You will need to cover the container; I use a dinner plate. You can use a shower cap or a towel, or whatever else you have on hand.
It is important to gauge the increase in volume, so I bought proofing containers with measurements. Again, this is nice but not necessary.
By the way, I find the dough in the smaller containers rises more quickly.
Gear List for Shaping the Loaves
Dough Scraper – MUST
This is another must-have item! The dough can be sticky and forming a round can be a tricky mess; the scraper make it much easier.
This one from William Sonoma is quite beautiful and expensive; they are half the price elsewhere, about $10.
Banneton Baskets
After shaping the loaf into a round, you will need to line a mixing bowl with a flour sack towel, or you can use this fancy basket to get some interesting ribs on the loaves. It’s totally up to you, how creative you want to get with this.
Scoring – MUST
A sharp razor blade is needed to create the slice to allow the bread to expand. I use an inexpensive plastic version, but there are pricier versions.
Gear List for Baking
Dutch Oven – MUST
This is the most expensive necessity on the gear list for sourdough baking. I have heard of people using two loaf pans instead of a Dutch oven, but that did not work when I tried it. The Dutch oven traps the steam and creates the crunchy crust. It’s important. Hopefully you have one, but if not, here is an Amazon link to a Bread Baking Bundle for $55 – It’s a great deal!
happy baking