Brod and Taylor Sourdough Starter Jar (32oz), 100% Dishwasher Safe, Measurement Markings, Height Marker and Loose-Fitting Lid Review (2026)

Who this starter jar suits

This jar is built for bakers who maintain an active sourdough starter and want an easier way to track its rise than eyeballing a repurposed mason jar. The wide four inch opening is sized for a hand to reach in and scrape the sides clean, which mason jars with narrower necks or internal ridges make more awkward. Brod and Taylor designed the jar specifically to hold up to 300 grams of fully risen starter without overflowing, so it fits the scale most home bakers keep their starter at. Anyone happy tracking a starter in a recycled jam jar with a rubber band marker will get less added value here, but bakers who want cleaner tracking and easier cleanup will notice the difference daily.

Glass, lid and measurement design

The jar is made from double layered borosilicate glass, a more durable and shatter resistant material than standard soda lime glass, sized at roughly four inches wide by five inches tall. A black silicone ring slides up and down the outside of the jar so a baker can mark the starter's current level and watch how far it climbs before it should be fed or used, working alongside printed measurement scales in both inches and centimeters. The lid sits loosely on top rather than sealing airtight, a deliberate choice that lets built up carbon dioxide escape during active fermentation without the pressure buildup a tightly sealed jar can create. Both the glass jar and the plastic lid are listed as dishwasher safe, and the jar itself is also microwave safe, though the lid is not.

Feeding and tracking a starter day to day

Because the glass is clear on all sides, watching bubbles form and the surface texture change is easier than through a cloudy plastic container, which helps a baker judge when a starter has peaked and is ready to use. The smooth curved bottom and wide opening mean there are no tight corners for old starter to hide in after a feed, so a quick rinse or trip through the dishwasher gets the jar properly clean between uses, unlike jars with grooved threads near the mouth. The loose fitting lid needs to be set on top rather than screwed down, which some bakers coming from a sealed jar habit need a session or two to adjust to, but it removes the risk of a starter pushing a tightly closed lid off during an especially active rise.

How it compares with other starter jars

Against bundled kits like the BREADLING starter jar sets, which pair a similar sized glass jar with a smaller storage jar, muslin cloth and a dry erase pen, this Brod and Taylor jar is sold on its own and leans on its measurement markings and height marker rather than extra accessories to earn its price. Compared with a basic 2 liter borosilicate jar sold without any built in tracking features, this jar's printed scale and adjustable ring save the step of wrapping a rubber band around the outside to mark starter height by hand. Bakers who want a full starter kit with cloth covers and a marking pen included should compare bundled options, while those who already have those extras and just want a well designed jar will find this one purpose built for the job.

Verdict and who should pick something else

For a baker who wants a clean, purpose designed way to track a sourdough starter's rise with markings built into the glass rather than added by hand, this jar delivers on exactly that job, and the loose fitting lid is a sensible detail for anyone who has dealt with pressure buildup in a sealed jar before. It costs more than a basic glass jar bought without any starter specific features, and it does not include a thermometer, spatula or cloth cover, so bakers wanting a complete starter kit in one purchase should look at a bundled option instead. Anyone happy with a plain jar and a rubber band marker will find this a nice-to-have rather than a necessity.

Frequently asked questions