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Tools & Gear
Honest gear reviews from people who use the equipment several times a week. We don't take affiliate kickbacks.
All articles in Tools & Gear
41 posts
The Best Flour for Sourdough: A Buyer's Guide
Bread flour, all-purpose, whole wheat, rye — which to buy and when. A practical guide to choosing flour for great loaves.
Ben Holloway · 2 min read
The Best Dutch Oven for Sourdough: What to Look For
A Dutch oven traps steam for great oven spring. Here's how to choose one — size, shape, material, and budget.
Ben Holloway · 2 min read
Sourdough Banneton Size Guide: Match the Basket to Your Dough
Too big and the loaf spreads; too small and it overflows. Here's how to pick the right banneton size and shape.
Rachel Goldman · 2 min read
Bread Lame vs Razor vs Knife: What to Score Sourdough With
Your scoring tool affects how cleanly the loaf opens. Here's how a lame, a razor, and a knife compare.
Rachel Goldman · 2 min read
DIY Sourdough Proofing Box: Warm, Consistent Fermentation
No fancy equipment needed — create a warm, stable proofing environment with things you already own. Several easy methods.
Ben Holloway · 2 min read
Why Your Sourdough Needs an Oven Thermometer
Home ovens lie. A $10 thermometer fixes pale crusts, burnt bottoms, and mysterious timing.
Ben Holloway · 2 min read
Best Bench Knife Features for Sourdough
A bench knife (scraper) is the quiet MVP — what size and flexibility actually help.
Rachel Goldman · 2 min read
DIY vs Bought Proofing Box for Sourdough
Consistent temperature is the real upgrade — cooler/heater hacks versus dedicated proofers.
Ben Holloway · 2 min read
Dutch Oven Size for a 500g Flour Sourdough Loaf
Pick a pot that fits your dough — too big spreads, too small sticks to the lid.
Ben Holloway · 2 min read
How Often to Replace Your Sourdough Lame Blade
Dull razors drag and tear — a cheap blade change is the fastest scoring upgrade.
Tony Caruso · 2 min read
Silicone Bread Sling for Dutch Oven Baking
Transfer dough safely without parchment origami — when slings help and when they hurt browning.
Rachel Goldman · 2 min read
Cast Iron vs Ceramic Bread Baker for Sourdough
Heat retention, price, and steam trapping compared — pick based on your oven and budget.
Ben Holloway · 2 min read
The Best Containers for Sourdough Starter
Glass jar, plastic tub, or crock? Here's what to store your starter in, what size, and what to avoid.
Rachel Goldman · 2 min read
Cooling Rack Setup for Better Sourdough Crust
Airflow under the loaf keeps crust from steaming itself soft — simple rack habits that matter.
Lisa Hartwell · 2 min read
Best Jar Setup for Tracking Sourdough Starter Rise
Straight-sided jars, rubber bands, and jar weight tricks that make doubling obvious.
Sam Ellsworth · 2 min read
Parchment Rounds and Sheets for Sourdough Transfers
Cut parchment that actually fits your pot — fewer burns, cleaner landings, less sticking.
Rachel Goldman · 2 min read
The Sourdough Bench Scraper: Why It's the Tool You'll Use Most
Cheap, simple, and indispensable — the bench scraper handles, divides, shapes, and cleans. Here's how to use it.
Ben Holloway · 2 min read
Parchment Paper vs Silicone Mats for Sourdough Baking
Both prevent sticking, but they behave very differently in a screaming-hot Dutch oven. Here's which to use when.
Rachel Goldman · 2 min read
What to Buy First for Sourdough Baking: A Priority Guide
Don't waste money on the wrong tools. Here's what to buy first, in order, on any budget.
Tom Whitaker · 5 min read
How to Store Flour for Optimal Sourdough Baking
Fresh flour bakes better. Here's how to store flour to preserve quality and avoid rancidity.
Tom Whitaker · 4 min read
Flour Protein Content for Sourdough: A Complete Reference
Why protein percentage in flour affects every aspect of sourdough — and which flours to choose.
Sam Ellsworth · 5 min read
Dutch Oven Comparison: Cast Iron vs. Enameled vs. Combo Cooker
Three vessels for sourdough baking. Each has trade-offs. Here's which to buy.
Tom Whitaker · 3 min read
Banneton vs. Bowl with Towel: Does It Matter?
A real banneton has advantages, but a flour-dusted towel in a bowl works fine for beginners. Here's the comparison.
Pete Kowalski · 4 min read
Why a Kitchen Scale Is Non-Negotiable for Sourdough
Volume measurements ruin sourdough. A digital scale is the single most important tool in your kitchen.
Dr. Sarah Chen · 3 min read
Best Thermometers for Sourdough Baking
Why temperature matters in every step of sourdough, and which thermometer to use for each.
Tom Whitaker · 4 min read
How to Use an Aliquot Jar for Bulk Fermentation
An aliquot jar is the most reliable way to track bulk fermentation. Here's how to set one up and use it.
Maya Patel · 4 min read
What Water Temperature to Use for Sourdough: A Calculator Guide
How to dial in the right water temperature to hit your target dough temperature. With a simple formula.
Dr. Anne Schultz · 3 min read
Baker's Percentages Demystified: A Practical Calculator Guide
How to use baker's percentages to scale and adjust any sourdough recipe. With examples and a worked calculation.
Dr. Anne Schultz · 4 min read
Bread Flour Comparison: King Arthur, Bob's Red Mill, and Beyond
A practical comparison of the most common bread flour brands available to home bakers, with notes on each.
Hans Müller · 6 min read
Should You Buy a Home Grain Mill for Sourdough?
Freshly milled flour produces dramatically more flavorful bread. Is a home grain mill worth the cost and effort?
Charlotte Bishop · 4 min read
Using a Stand Mixer for Sourdough: When It Helps and When It Doesn't
A stand mixer can speed up sourdough mixing and develop strong gluten. But it has limits. Here's when to use it.
Pierre Lambert · 5 min read
Can You Use a Bread Machine for Sourdough? A Realistic Assessment
Bread machines work for yeast bread. They're not great for sourdough. Here's why, and the limited cases where they work.
Tom Whitaker · 4 min read
The 12 Sourdough Tools You Actually Need (And the Ones You Don't)
An honest take on sourdough equipment — what's essential, what's nice to have, and what's marketing.
Sam Ellsworth · 3 min read
Baking Steel vs. Pizza Stone: Which Is Better for Sourdough?
Both go on the oven rack and store heat. They behave very differently. Here's the head-to-head for sourdough bakers.
Carlos Vega · 3 min read
Dutch Oven vs. Bread Cloche: Which Is Better for Sourdough?
Both create steam for great sourdough. They differ in price, weight, ease of use, and capability. Which is right for you?
Tom Whitaker · 4 min read
Banneton Care: How to Use, Clean, and Store Your Proofing Baskets
A new banneton needs to be seasoned. A used one needs occasional cleaning. Here's how to keep them in great shape for years.
Maria Esposito · 4 min read
Stand Mixer vs. Hands: Which Is Right for Sourdough?
Mixers save time on enriched and bagel doughs. For lean sourdough, your hands win — and here's why.
Kim Choi · 2 min read
The Five Essential Tools for Sourdough
What you actually need (and what's marketing). A short, honest gear list.
Jen Kraft · 3 min read
What Flour Actually Matters
Brand, protein, organic, freshly milled — what makes a real difference in your bread.
Ben Holloway · 3 min read
Proofing Baskets: Choosing and Caring for Bannetons
Sizes, materials, liners, and the care routine that keeps a banneton lasting decades.
Paul Reedy · 2 min read
Professional Sourdough Equipment on a Home Budget
What to splurge on, what to skip, and what you already have in your kitchen.
Jen Kraft · 2 min read