The Best Sourdough Tools You May Not Need But Might Want!

When I started making sourdough bread I had no real sourdough tools. I used what I had and it worked great, but as the years have passed, I have slowly acquired some sourdough bread tools and it has most definitely made my sourdough bread making process easier and more precise.

Now, I want to preface this entire post by saying none of these tools are absolutely necessary. I started my sourdough journey with a bowl, a wooden spoon and some tea towels. You can get creative and use an sorts of already purchased items.

You most definitely do not have to have all the fancy tools, but there are some tools that do make some of the process easier. After many requests, I decided to create a post with all the must haves that I have in my sourdough tool box.

As a baker I have slowly grown my kitchen tools over the years, and I wanted to share some of my favorites.

With or without these sourdough tools, you can create amazing sourdough loaves. If you are armed with a strong sourdough starter, recipes that work for you and some patience you can bake bread perfect for you and your family.

But for fun, lets chat about all the tools out there that can make this process easier.

Essential Sourdough Tools

I am going to share a list of different tools that I have and that I use when I am making my sourdough.

Sourdough Start Jar

This may seem simple and it is. I find many people that purchase fancy sourdough weck jars, but in all honestly any glass jars work. In fact, I use a large pickle jar. its the perfect size for what I use it for. Dont think you need to go out and buy a special jar. But, I wanted to share some jars that can be used in case you are on the hunt for one.

Measuring Cups

Measuring cups are always a key tool to have in your kitchen. I used these a lot at the begining of my sourdough journey but have since relied heavily on my digital kitchen scale.

Danish Dough Whisk

This danish dough whisk is a tool that I ended up purchasing later on in my journey and I really do love it. It helps mix the flour abd sourdough start with the water evenly.

Digital Kitchen Scale

A digital kitchen scale is one of the one things I would recommend actually investing in. I use mine every single day. Using a kitchen scale allows your measurements to be more precise, which results in a better product.

Large Mixing Bowl

Having a large mixing bowl is also an essential in my opinion. I like to have one with a lid but you can also use plastic wrap to cover the bowl while your dough is bulk fermenting.

Proofing Container with Lid

This is an optional container but I actually prefer this to a large mixing bowl, which I have used for years. I started using these tall sides Cambro containers to mix my dough and to do the bulk fermentation and I wont go back. It makes it easy to see how much it is rising. I love my Cambro containers.

Dough Bench Scrapers

These are an affordable tool that make the process of shaping and cutting your dough a breeze. I would highly recommend getting one or two dough scrapers!

Proofing Baskets/ Banneton Basket

Banneton baskets or proofing baskets were one of the last things I purchased. I used a bowl lined with a towel to hold my shaped dough in before putting it in the fridge overnight. The process was a bit tedious and took alot of time, so I ended up purchasing these and they have been the best tool I have. I use shower caps to cover the bannetons while they dough is in the fridge overnight. They are reusable and inexpensive.

I actually prefer the oval banneton baskets, but find that if I use inclusions I like to use the round ones.

Cast Iron Dutch Oven

I like to bake my breads in a dutch oven. These can be quite affordable and I actually prefer to use a more inexpensive one instead so that I do not wear out nice expensive one. You can use a baking sheet, pizza stone or other items. However, you will want to add a source of steam. Dutch ovens allow the steam to stay inside the pan which aids in the oven spring of the bread.

Parchment Paper

Parchment paper is key for transferring the dough into the oven. I use it to bake my bread on as well. You can also get reusable silicone bread slings. I have a few of these and I really love using them.

Bread Lame/ Razor Blade

When baking sourdough bread, an important step is the scoring of the bread. You can see an entire post on how to score here! There are many different blades that you can use, from a razor blade to an exacto knife to just a very sharp knife. There are specific blades created for scoring your sourdough called bread lames.

You can find them with a longer handle or short round handles,each one has benefits and you can find one that works for you.

They have a very thin blade that helps to cut and score the delicate dough. Check out some of my favorites below.

Rice Flour

Rice flour is a great ingredient to have if you bake sourdough bread. I use this flour when I am shaping my proofed dough as well as to dust on the top of the dough before scoring and baking. If you are sensitive to gluten, it would seem a shame to use regular flour on the dough once you have spent 24 hours breaking down the gluten in the sourdough.

Check out these great rice flour options:

Serrated Bread Knife

Having a good bread knife is important when baking sourdough bread. It is known to have a thicker crust which can require a good knife to cut through it. I have a great bread knife that I love and I am sharing it below with some other great knives.

Reusable Bread Bags

Storing sourdough bread is always a confusing one to some people. Some leave it out on the counter. Some wrap them in plastic or beesewax wraps. I like to use reusable linen bags. I have used them for a while and really like the way they help preserve my bread, allow the crust to soften a bit and keep the brad fresh.

Since they are reusable, its a great thing as well. I love that I dont have to use a single use plastic bag every time I make bread.

Sourdough baking can be a true joy. I love my weekly bread bakes. It is a therapeutic part of my day. While you can make any sourdough breads or other homemade breads without any of these tools, but after years of baking breads, I have found many tools that I have made my process easier and more enjoyable as well.

Now that we have discussed all the great sourdough tools, lets check out some of my favorite sourdough recipe posts below: