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    You are here: Home / Sourdough / The Baker's Arsenal: Essential Tools for Sourdough Bread Baking

    The Baker's Arsenal: Essential Tools for Sourdough Bread Baking

    Is that sourdough starter recipe not giving you that perfect, tangy, chewy loaf of sourdough bread you’ve been after? The problem may not be the recipe itself but your equipment.

    Now, you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money to make a decent loaf of sourdough bread, so don’t worry about that. But it may be worth picking up at least a few essential tools for sourdough bread baking to add to your arsenal.

    After all, some of these can make for an easier process and a tastier result, regardless of whether you’re making no-knead sourdough bread or breadsticks.

    Here are some of our favorite sourdough bread-baking tools to help you take your sourdough game to the next level.

    Essential Tools for Sourdough Bread Baking

    Sourdough Bread

    Digital Kitchen Scale

    My Weigh KD-8000 Digital Food Scale

    My Weigh KD-8000 Digital Food Scale, Stainless Steel, Silver
    My Weigh KD-8000 Digital Food Scale, Stainless Steel, Silver
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    Last update on 2023-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

    Have you been measuring out ingredients with measuring cups alone? If so, you may not use the correct or consistent amounts in your sourdough recipe.

    See, you’re not necessarily going to get the most accurate results when measuring by volume, which is key when perfecting a recipe. Without those accurate measurements, you may be unable to improve or even replicate a sourdough loaf. And this is precisely why you need a scale.

    You’re going to get more accurate, consistent results when you measure your ingredients by weight, and this is where something like the My Weigh KD-8000 Digital Food Scale comes in. This scale lets you measure in the unit of your choice, whether it be grams, pounds, ounces, or kilograms, and it also calculates baker’s percentages. This makes it an excellent choice for beginner and expert bakers alike!

    Dough Scraper

    Seven Horse Stainless Steel Pastry Scraper

    Stainless Steel Pastry Scraper
    Stainless Steel Pastry Scraper
    Pastry Scraper, Dough/Pastry.Bread Bench Scraper, Cutter/Chopper/Pizza Cutter
    Amazon Prime
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    Last update on 2023-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

    A dough scraper may seem like it’s only meant for one purpose, but it can be super versatile in the kitchen. In addition to helping you scrape out every last bit of dough in your mixing bowl, it can also help you shape, divide, and knead the dough. It’s even a good idea to have two of them on hand for kneading purposes, as the sticky dough can be much easier to handle with the scrapers than with your hands.

    And that’s why this stainless steel pastry scraper is a great choice. You get an ergonomic and comfortable non-slip wooden handle with a food-grade stainless steel scraper, free of toxins and chemicals. It is also multifunctional and can be used as a vegetable chopper, pizza knife, cake-making scraper, dough scraper, etc.

    Bread Lame

    Black Walnut Bread Lame

    Zatoba Black Walnut Bread Lame - Hand Crafted in the USA!
    388 Reviews
    Zatoba Black Walnut Bread Lame - Hand Crafted in the USA!
    • 5 Double Edged Razors Included
    • Knurled Brass Thumb-nuts and Screws
    • Black Walnut Wood Hand-Crafted in USA
    • Little Pine Box with Slidelid for Safe Storage
    • Custom Design Created in 2007
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    Last update on 2023-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

    You’ll want to be careful with this one! A bread lame is essentially a very thin, sharp blade that is used to score your sourdough loaf before putting it in the oven. Of course, you can technically use a razor blade or sharp kitchen knife for this purpose, but a bread lame makes it much easier to get those beautiful loaves with an even bake.

    Now, there are cheaper options on the market, but this Black Walnut Bread Lame is gorgeous. It even comes with five double-edged razors, so you can easily replace the blade when the dough seems to drag. There’s nothing like cleaning scoring lines on a finished loaf of sourdough!

    Banneton/Proofing Basket

    Bread Banneton Proofing Basket & Liner

    9-inch Round Bread Banneton Proofing Basket & Liner
    9-inch Round Bread Banneton Proofing Basket & Liner
    Handmade of high-quality, Natural, Durable Rattan, ECO-friendly, Food-Safe, and Non-toxic.
    Perfect for bread-baking lovers. Works for Proofing, Banneton, or Brotform baking techniques.
    Non-Stick Bowl. Easy Clean-up
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    Last update on 2023-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

    Looking for that perfect sourdough loaf shape? Then you need a proofing or banneton basket. It’s essentially a structured container that allows your dough to maintain shape while it rests during the cold ferment. Some will even give you those nice lines you often see on sourdough loaves!

    While you may have to look around for the particular shape and size you’re after, this Bread Banneton Proofing Basket & Liner is a nice option. Made of eco-friendly, food-safe, and durable rattan, this proofing basket even comes with a 100% money-back guarantee if it doesn’t fit into your Dutch oven. Speaking of which…

    Dutch Oven

    Lodge Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven

    Sale
    Lodge Cast Iron Serving Pot Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven, 5-Quart
    Lodge Cast Iron Serving Pot Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven, 5-Quart
    Pre-Seasoned 5 Quart Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven
    Lid converts to a 10.25 Inch Skillet
    Loop handles provide secure control
    Unparalleled heat retention and even heating
    Use to sear, sauté, simmer, bake, broil, braise, roast, fry, or grill
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    Last update on 2023-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

    Yes, you probably have a perfectly good oven at home, but investing in a Dutch oven is the way to go if you want to mimic a commercial baker’s oven. In fact, it’s probably the tool that will make the biggest difference in the quality of your sourdough!

    A good Dutch oven will improve your bread's texture, rise, and crust, and the Lodge Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven is especially great for sourdough baking. This is because it allows you to use its lid as a base, making sliding your dough into the pot much easier.

    Cast Iron Bread Pan

    Baking Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Bread Pan Multicooker
    61 Reviews
    Baking Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Bread Pan Multicooker
    Bake perfect sourdough bread, grill steaks and cook stews , Seasoned with canola oil with a smooth surface finish
    Amazon Prime
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    Last update on 2023-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

    However, you should look into the Cast Iron Bread Pan if you have extra money. It’s essentially an upside-down Dutch oven designed by bakers for bakers, giving your professional-looking results. Yes, it’s a little pricey, but if you’re looking for that perfect sourdough loaf, it may just be worth it!

    Optional Tools for Sourdough Bread Baking

    Sourdough Bread Baking Temperature

    Want to add even more to your sourdough baking arsenal? Here are some other tools that, while not necessarily essential, can help to even further enhance your baking experience.

    • Dough thermometer. Want a better understanding of your dough to help improve your bake? Then a dough thermometer may be right for you!
    • Danish dough whisk. Need a hand mixing your sourdough? Then try a Danish dough whisk. These light and sturdy sourdough tools can help you handle that sticky dough quickly and easily. Some people even use them to feed their sourdough starter.
    • Parchment paper rounds with lift tabs. You can use regular parchment paper, of course, but these parchment paper rounds with lift tabs make things easier. They’ll allow you to neatly place your sourdough into the Dutch oven.
    • Bread proofer. Keeping your sourdough cultures at a constant temperature is essential for the best results. So, if you’re struggling with this, try investing in a bread proofer. This one even folds down flat when you’re not using it! Check out our full review of the Brod & Taylor Bread Proofer.
    • Bread knife. This may not make a difference in your baking, but it is essential to slice your finished loaf properly. A serrated, professional-grade option like this bread knife is perfect for cutting homemade crusty bread.

    Time for Some Shopping!

    As you can see, plenty of tools are out there to help you take your sourdough bread-baking game to the next level.

    Whether you still need to stock up on the essential tools, like a digital kitchen scale, dough scraper, bread lame, banneton basket, or a Dutch oven, or are just looking for some extras like a dough thermometer, Danish dough whisk, bread proofer, or bread knife, you’re sure to find something that will help enhance your sourdough baking process.

    Now, you need to narrow down your options (or not - if it's in the budget, why not get one of each?) and go shopping. Your perfect homemade sourdough loaf awaits!

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