What to Buy First for Sourdough Baking: A Priority Guide

Short answer: in order, buy: a digital scale, an instant-read thermometer, a Dutch oven, a banneton, and a bread knife. Total cost: $100 for everything you need to bake great sourdough.

The priority list

Buy in this order. Don't skip ahead.

1. Digital scale ($25)

Why first: sourdough needs precise weights. Cup measurements ruin it.

What to look for:

• 0.1g precision
• 5kg capacity
• Tare function
• Digital display

Recommended:

• Escali Primo ($25)
• KitchenAid digital ($30)
• OXO Good Grips ($50)

Even the cheapest works. Don't bake without one.

2. Instant-read thermometer ($25)

Why second: temperature affects every phase of sourdough. Water temp, dough temp, internal bread temp.

What to look for:

• 1–2 second read time
• Range: 0–500°F
• Probe length: 4 inches+
• Battery-powered

Recommended:

• ThermoPro TP-19 ($25)
• ThermoWorks Thermapen ($100, splurge)

A probe thermometer doubles as a meat thermometer. Multiple uses.

3. Dutch oven ($45–60)

Why third: this is the vessel that bakes your bread. Without one, you're improvising.

What to look for:

• Cast iron (bare or enameled)
• 4–6 quart capacity
• Lid that traps steam

Recommended:

• Lodge Combo Cooker ($45) — easy loading, versatile
• Lodge cast iron Dutch oven ($60) — traditional
• Le Creuset enameled ($300, splurge)

For most beginners, Lodge Combo Cooker is the best value.

4. Banneton ($25)

Why fourth: a banneton holds the shape during proof. You can substitute a bowl + towel, but the banneton is more reliable.

What to look for:

• Round (boule) or oval (batard)
• 9-inch diameter for 1kg dough
• Rattan or wood pulp

Recommended:

• St Germain (heritage rattan, $35)
• Sugus House (basic, $25)
• Generic Amazon ($15, variable quality)

Get the right size for your typical bake.

5. Serrated bread knife ($30)

Why fifth: dull knives crush bread. A real bread knife slices clean.

What to look for:

• 9–10 inch blade
• Serrated (saw-like) edge
• Comfortable handle

Recommended:

• Victorinox Bread Knife ($30) — restaurant-quality, lifetime tool
• Mercer Culinary ($25)
• Wusthof Pro ($60)

A great bread knife transforms your slicing experience.

6. Bench scraper ($10)

Why sixth: handles wet dough, scrapes the counter clean, divides dough portions.

What to look for:

• Stainless steel
• Comfortable handle
• 6-inch wide blade

Recommended:

• OXO Good Grips ($10)
• Restaurant-grade ($8)

A small but indispensable tool.

7. Lame or scoring blade ($10)

Why seventh: you can use a sharp knife to score, but a lame (razor blade on a holder) is sharper and easier.

What to look for:

• Bread Lame (UFO design) ($12)
• Razor blades (replaceable) ($5 for 10)
• Curved or straight blade

Recommended:

• Wire Monkey Bread Lame ($12) — comfortable
• DIY: a coffee stirrer + razor blade

A razor blade alone works fine for years.

8. Pizza stone or steel ($40)

Why eighth: only if you bake pizza or want better baking conditions for non-Dutch-oven loaves.

What to look for:

• 1/2 inch thick (for retention)
• Pizza steel: heavier, better heat retention
• Pizza stone: cheaper, lighter

Recommended:

• Lodge Pizza Stone ($45)
• Baking Steel ($100)

Skip if you only bake in Dutch ovens.

What NOT to buy first

Don't waste money on:

• Stand mixer ($300+) — sourdough doesn't need one
• Specialty proofing box ($150) — use the oven with light on
• Branded kitchen towels ($20) — any clean towel works
• Specialty sourdough containers ($50) — mason jars work
• Expensive flour ($15+ per 5lb) — King Arthur ($5) is great

Save your money for the priority items.

A budget tier

For absolute minimum:

• Generic scale ($10)
• Generic instant-read thermometer ($10)
• Lodge Combo Cooker ($45)
• Bowl + floured towel (free, instead of banneton)
• Sharp knife you already have (instead of bread knife)

Total: $65.

This kit bakes excellent sourdough. Upgrade later as needed.

A complete tier

For the serious baker:

• OXO scale ($50)
• Thermapen ($100)
• Le Creuset Dutch oven ($300)
• St Germain banneton ($35)
• Victorinox bread knife ($30)
• OXO bench scraper ($10)
• Wire Monkey lame ($12)
• Baking Steel ($100)

Total: $640.

This is professional-quality and lasts decades.

Building over time

A reasonable progression:

Month 1: scale + thermometer + Dutch oven ($100) Month 3: banneton + bread knife ($55) Month 6: bench scraper + lame ($20) Year 1: pizza stone (if needed) Year 2+: upgrades as desired

Don't try to buy everything at once. Build gradually.

Where to buy

Best places:

• Amazon (most variety, quick delivery)
• Sur La Table / Williams Sonoma (kitchen specialty)
• Restaurant supply stores (bench scrapers, sheet pans)
• Local kitchen stores (handle vessels in person)
• Craigslist (used Dutch ovens are great deals)

For Le Creuset and Staub: outlet stores or sale events.

A note on used tools

Used Dutch ovens:

• Often cheap on Craigslist
• Inspect for cracks
• Don't buy chipped enamel

Used scales:

• Older ones may be inaccurate
• Better to buy new

Used bread knives:

• Resharpen if needed
• Generally fine

A final note

Sourdough doesn't require expensive equipment. The flour, water, and your hands do most of the work.

For under $100, you can bake bread that beats anything from a bakery.

Don't let "I don't have the right tools" be the excuse. Get the basics, start baking, upgrade later.