So, you decided you want to start making sourdough bread! Congratulations! This is an exciting time and fun way of life. Keeping a fresh loaf of sourdough bread in your kitchen is a game changer. No more soggy, boring, unhealthy store-bought bread is necessary. You will have your own fresh, healthy, and delicious sourdough. As a beginner, and professional alike, there are may tools needed in your kitchen to begin your sourdough-making journey. Below is a list of some tools that will help you along your way. Check out our store or click on some of the items to see what item we use in our own kitchen.
1. Digital Kitchen Scale
- Purpose: Precise measurement of ingredients, especially flour and water, to ensure consistency in the dough. Also, use to make perfect ratios for keeping your sourdough starter properly fed.
2. Mixing Bowls
- Purpose: Used for mixing ingredients and allowing the dough to rest during the initial stages of sourdough preparation. Also gives a large enough space for mixing, stretch and folding, and proofing your sourdough.
3. Bench Scraper
- Purpose: Useful for dividing dough, scraping it off the work surface, and assisting in shaping.
4. Dutch Oven
- Purpose: A Dutch oven helps create steam, which is crucial for achieving a crisp crust. Alternatively, a baking stone can be used in conjunction with a steam pan. We use lodge, and have had success with it.
5. Bread Banneton Proofing Basket
- Purpose: Provides structure and shape to the dough during its final proofing, and helps create a beautiful pattern on the crust.
6. Dough Scoring Knife (Lame)
- Purpose: Used to score or slash the dough before baking, which allows for controlled expansion and a beautiful design. Be careful, this is a sharp blade and should only be used by an adult
7. Digital Thermometer
- Purpose: Ensures the water for dough production is at the right temperature (no more than 110 degres f.) This can also be used for proofing and checking the internal temperature of the bread for doneness.
8. Silicone or Wooden Spatula
- Purpose: Ideal for mixing and folding the dough, particularly during the bulk fermentation stage.
9. Dough Whisk
- Purpose: A specialized tool for mixing dough efficiently, especially useful for high-hydration doughs like sourdough. It is a funny shape, but that is what makes it unique.
10. Teak Wood Spurtle
- Purpose: Gentle mixing of the sourdough starter and other ingredients without damaging the gluten structure. Great for getting to the bottom of you jar.
11. Weck Tulip Jar or Glass Jar
- Purpose: Ideal for storing and maintaining your sourdough starter, with clear sides for monitoring its growth.
12. Flour Sifter
- Purpose: Helps in evenly dusting flour over the work surface and the dough, which prevents sticking and aids in shaping.
13. Cloth or Linen Cover
- Purpose: Covers the dough during proofing, keeping it protected while allowing it to breathe.
14. Spray Bottle
- Purpose: Used to mist the dough with water to create steam in the oven or to moisten the surface before scoring.
15. Timer
- Purpose: Keeps track of fermentation times, rest periods, and baking duration for precision.
16. Cooling Rack
- Purpose: Allows the bread to cool evenly after baking, preventing the bottom from becoming soggy.
17. Oven Mitts or Heat-Resistant Gloves
- Purpose: Necessary for safely handling hot Dutch ovens, baking stones, and bread.
18. Parchment Paper
- Purpose: Helps in transferring dough into a Dutch oven or onto a baking stone, and prevents sticking during baking.
19. Proofing Cloth (Couche)
- Purpose: Provides support for dough during proofing, especially useful for baguettes or free-form loaves.
20. Pastry Brush
- Purpose: Used to brush off excess flour from the dough before baking or to apply glazes.
These tools cover the key stages of sourdough bread making, from maintaining your starter to mixing, proofing, shaping, and baking your dough to perfection.
