The best gear for baking sourdough at home
Research-backed picks for starters, proofing, shaping, and baking
- 1
Feed
Feed the starter and use it near its peak.
Starter Care → - 2
Mix
Mix flour, water, starter and salt, then stretch and fold.
Mixing & Measuring → - 3
Proof
Shape, then proof in a basket, often overnight in the fridge.
Proofing Baskets & Boxes → - 4
Bake
Bake hot in a covered vessel, then uncover to brown.
Baking Vessels →
Top picks right now
Baker's percentages
- Flour 100%
- Water about 70 to 80%
- Salt about 2%
- Starter about 10 to 20%
A common starting formula: 1,000 g flour, 750 g water, 20 g salt. Whole grain flour takes more water.
New here?
Start Here: Your First Sourdough Loaf
8 short steps in the order a beginner needs them, with the guides and tools for each one.
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Baking Vessels
Dutch ovens, cloches, combo cookers, baking steels and stones for a crackly crust.
Browse 18 guides →Proofing Baskets & Boxes
Bannetons, brotforms, couches, and proofing boxes to shape and rise your dough.
Browse 10 guides →Shaping & Scoring
Lames, scoring tools, bench knives, and scrapers for clean shaping and scoring.
Browse 12 guides →Mixing & Measuring
Scales, dough whisks, mixing bowls, and thermometers for precise, consistent dough.
Browse 10 guides →Starter Care
Starter jars, fermentation jars, kits, and pH meters to keep your starter thriving.
Browse 6 guides →Finishing & Storage
Bread knives, slicers, cooling racks, boxes, and bags to cut, cool, and store loaves.
Browse 7 guides →Best buying guides
Best Round Proofing Baskets
Find the best round proofing baskets for sourdough boules. Compare rattan and cane designs for shape support, clean release, and classic spiral rings.
Best Combo Cookers for Bread
Compare the best combo cookers for sourdough. See how the shallow-pan base and deep-lid design make loading easy while trapping steam for a bold crust.
Best Dough Scrapers
Compare the best dough scrapers for sourdough. See how flexible bowl scrapers handle wet dough, clean bowls, and divide portions without deflating the crumb.
Best Sourdough Starter Jars
Find the best sourdough starter jars. Clear, easy-clean jars that show rise, breathe well, and give your starter a healthy, reliable home.
Best Bannetons
Compare the best bannetons for sourdough proofing. See how rattan baskets wick moisture, hold shape, and leave the spiral rings that mark artisan loaves.
Best Proofing Baskets
Find the best proofing baskets for sourdough. Compare rattan, cane, and wood-pulp designs for shape support, easy release, and reliable final rise at home.
Packing tips
All tips →How to Use a Banneton With a Liner for Sourdough
How to use a banneton with a liner: seasoning, fitting the cloth, flouring, loading the dough, turning it out and cleaning, plus when to skip the liner.
What Kind of Jar for Sourdough Starter: Size, Material, Mouth and Lid
The best sourdough starter jar is clear glass, wide-mouth, straight-sided and about three times the volume of your fed starter. Size chart and lid advice inside.
The Sourdough Poke Test: How to Do It and Read the Result
Press a floured finger half an inch into the dough. A dent that fills back slowly means bake now. How to read all three results, and when the poke test fails.
Banneton Size Chart: What Size Basket for Your Dough Weight
Match banneton size to dough weight: 8 inch round for 500 g, 9 inch round or 10 inch oval for a 1 kg loaf. How sizes are measured, Dutch oven fit, sizing mistakes.