01/26/2024
What tools do I use when I make sourdough at home? I had most of these already, but I did purchase a few specifically for sourdough.
Must haves (in my opinion):
1. Sourdough Starter! You need to make a starter or get one from someone.
2. A large bowl and covering- allows you to mix the dough and let it rise. I have a heavy glass bowl because it doesn’t pull off the countertop when doing stretch and folds. You can use ANY kind of bowl: stainless steel, ceramic, glass, or plastic. I have a lid to cover one bowl and I use a disposable shower cap to cover the other.
3. Scale- I weigh all my ingredients. I do not use measuring cups because most recipes for sourdough use grams, not cups.
4. A surface to turn dough onto so you can shape. A smooth counter would be awesome, but my countertops are tile, so I use a wooden cutting board or a silicone pastry mat.
5. A bench scraper to shape your dough. This helps the shaping process and I use it for cutting dough and cleaning.
6. A bowl with a floured towel or a banneton (proofing basket) after shaping and something to cover it, like plastic wrap or shower caps.
7. Dutch oven. I bake the loaf of bread in a Dutch oven. This steams the bread with the lid on. Then I take the lid off halfway through baking.
8. Parchment paper. This keeps the loaf from sticking and makes it much easier to place and remove the loaf.
9. Jars or container - to feed and keep sourdough starter!
10. Lame, razor, or sharp knife- By making one or multiple scores the bread will then expand where those cuts are made.
Nice to Haves:
1. Thermometer - helps to know temperature of water, dough, and baked bread.
2. Dough scraper and dough whisk - I use these to help mix the dough especially when my hands are they in the winter time.
3. Small bowls - to help pre measure ingredients.
4. Tea infuser or other mesh vessel- to dust rice flour on top of loaves before scoring.
5. Space heater- My kitchen is cold! Ha!
Is there anything you use every time? Please share!
