Nice-to-Have Items for Your First Sourdough Adventure
When I first started making sourdough, I quickly realized that while flour, water, salt, and a starter are the essentials, a few extra tools make the process much easier—and a lot more fun. The Wishlist Well’s curated sourdough starter shop highlights some of these helpful items here.
Glass Jars & Containers
Keeping your starter healthy means storing it in a breathable, easy-to-clean container. Glass jars with wide mouths are perfect because you can see the bubbles forming and easily scoop out what you need.
Kitchen Scale
Sourdough is all about precision. A digital kitchen scale helps you measure flour and water by weight, ensuring consistency in every bake. It’s one of those tools that instantly upgrades your bread game.
Mixing Bowls
Large, sturdy mixing bowls give your dough room to stretch and rise. Opt for bowls that are easy to clean and can handle sticky dough without fuss.
Banneton Proofing Basket
Not essential, but definitely nice to have. A banneton basket helps shape your dough and gives it that beautiful artisan swirl pattern. It also supports the dough during its final rise.
Bench Scraper
A bench scraper is a small but mighty tool. It helps you handle sticky dough, divide portions, and keep your work surface tidy.
Dutch Oven or Baking Stone
For that signature crust, a Dutch oven is a game-changer. It traps steam, mimicking a professional bread oven. If you don’t have one, a baking stone with a pan of water for steam works well too.
Thermometer
A digital thermometer helps you check dough and oven temperatures. It’s especially useful when you’re learning how fermentation and baking times affect the final loaf.
Optional Extras
Lame (bread scoring tool) for decorative cuts and controlled expansion.
Silicone spatulas for mixing and scraping bowls.
Reusable cloth covers for jars and bowls to keep things breathable but protected.
Final Thoughts
Starting sourdough doesn’t require a huge investment, but these “nice-to-have” items make the process smoother, more consistent, and more enjoyable. Think of them as your capsule toolkit for breadmaking—each piece adds comfort, precision, or beauty to the ritual of baking.
