8 Affordable Sourdough Baking Tools for Success in 2024

Since diving into the world of sourdough, I have found a few tried and true tools that have kickstarted my sourdough baking success to new heights! If you’re looking for some of the most essential and affordable sourdough baking tools for baking delicious sourdough bread, you’re in the right place!

a loaf of homemade same day sourdough bread cut into slices

Although I think we all can agree that the #1 baking essential for sourdough is an active and bubbly sourdough starter, there still are a number of essential items that can ensure success in the kitchen.

Getting started with baking sourdough bread can be intimidating. The good news is that with the right tools, it can make the overall process much easier! These are all tools that I use and love in my own kitchen on a daily basis. They are good-quality and able to hold up to the wear and tear of a busy baker, but still absolutely affordable!

Quick List of The Essentials

  • Good set of mixing bowls
  • Kitchen scale
  • Banneton baskets
  • Dutch oven
  • Razor/bread lame
  • Bench scraper
  • Good quality knife (serrated or electric)

In Depth Overview of Tools

  1. Kitchen Scale: Besides an active sourdough starter, this is probably my #1 recommendation for any beginner bread baker, sourdough or not! I highly encourage you to do yourself a favor and spring for this little $10 scale. Many sourdough bread recipes out there are measured in grams, and there’s a very good reason for this! I have found time and time again that measuring in grams over cups helps to yield a more consistent and delicious loaf of bread.
  2. Bench Scraper: It may seem unassuming or even a little odd to consider this an essential, but I use this bench scraper almost every time I’m in the kitchen baking. It comes in handy for easing risen bread dough out of the bowl or basket without tearing it, for evenly cutting and separating dough, and even helps make clean up a breeze!
  3. Mixing Bowls: This may seem obvious, but invest in a good set of mixing bowls. Even if you don’t want to spring for a stand mixer to mix up your bread dough (I get it, they are an investment!) mixing bowls will be your best friend when it comes to bread baking.
  4. Banneton Baskets: I’ll be honest, it took me awhile to get on the banneton basket train. They are used during the bulk fermentation or proofing stage of bread baking, and honestly I just didn’t see a need for them. I have since learned that they are very useful for keeping the dough supported and well-shaped while it ferments. It also allows your dough to breathe, as compared to using a regular mixing bowl. Without a banneton basket, the dough can have a tendency to spread out too much during the final proofing stage. This will hinder your oven spring and result in a flat loaf of bread (we’ve all been there and know what a disappointment that is, right?)
  5. Dutch Oven: My cast iron enameled Dutch oven gets put through the wringer in my kitchen because it is used almost constantly, and not just for sourdough baking! Baking my sourdough in a Dutch oven is my absolute favorite way to bake bread. It creates a crisp exterior with a soft and chewy center, and is basically fool-proof. It is a really easy, fun, and definitely beginner friendly way to bake sourdough. If using a Dutch oven, make sure to invest in some good quality parchment paper sheets that can hold up to baking at very high temperatures.
  6. Razor/Bread Lame: I love getting creative and creating fun designs on top of my sourdough bread before baking. The options really are endless! Initially, I tried just using a sharp knife to do this, and ended up with a mess. A small razor blade or bread lame (pronounced lahm) cuts easily through the top of the dough, creating sharp lines that lend to a beautiful scoring design.
  7. Knife: I really have two suggestions here, so choose whichever you like! I definitely recommend investing in a good quality serrated knife for cutting baked bread. I have recently invested in an electric knife (I know, I know) and have been amazed at how evenly it slices bread. I find it comes in handy especially when baking sandwich bread!
  8. Glass storage jar: Adding this one to the list because it is essential in keeping our most important ingredient (active sourdough starter) fresh and active for baking. There are many options here! I recommend something that is large, glass (you need to be able to see through it to see how much your starter has risen) and with a good sealing lid. You could use mason jars or my favorite large Weck storage jars.
Two small loaves of baked pumpkin shaped sourdough bread with a cinnamon stick in the middle

“Nice to Have” Tools

Although maybe not considered absolutely essential, I still do find these tools extremely handy in the kitchen, especially when it comes to bread baking.

  • Stand Mixer: This is the only one on the list that I would consider a significant investment. Although they come at a higher price point, they are well worth the money (I think anyone who has one would agree!). My Kitchen Aid stand mixer makes mixing up dough 10x easier and more efficient.
  • Danish Dough Whisk: I have a newfound love for these Danish dough whisks in the kitchen. They are sturdy, affordable, and easily incorporate ingredients.
  • Loaf pans: Although I wouldn’t label these as essential right off the bat, they are a must-have if you get into sandwich bread baking. You can find them readily available just about anywhere, and they come in a range of price points. I have both a couple inexpensive non-stick loaf pans and my newfound Caraway loaf pan that I love and use regularly.

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Best of the Blog Sourdough Recipes

You can find a delicious collection of sourdough recipes on the blog. A few reader favorites are listed below!

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If you found this list of sourdough baking essentials helpful, be sure to come back and leave me a comment! I would love to know what works best for you in your kitchen.

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Happy baking,

Rachael

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