Must-Have Tools for Making Sourdough Bread

My kitchen is small so each item I own has to earn its keep.  Here are tools that I consider essential for sourdough break making, followed by some optional items as well.

Must Have Tools:

Scale

A scale is essential for measuring flour and starter because these can vary greatly in volume.  I have an older model of this OXO 5 lb Food Scale.

Electric Mixer

KitchenAid is a popular brand that many people love.  After reading reviews and considering whether I should buy a KitchenAid or a Bosch Mixer, I decided to go with the Bosch and found a Black Friday deal.

Loaf Pan

I have a Pyrex 1.5 quart glass loaf pan.

Covers for bread while proofing and rising

I like these Covermate Stretch-To-Fit Food Covers

Thermometer

After breaking 2 digital thermometers, I decided to stick with a simple old-fashioned dial thermometer.

Optional Tools:

Dutch Oven

If you want to make a round crusty loaf of artisan bread, you will need a dutch oven.

Bread Lame

A sharp knife will work just as well to score your loaves but a bread lame can be nice if you want to be fancy.

Dough Scraper

These are nice to clean a sticky dough off a counter as you knead or shape the dough.  My husband bought me these dough scrapers.

Electric Bread Knife

An electric bread knife will cut through crusts with ease and yield more even slices than cutting by hand.  I have a Black and Decker, but this Proctor Bread Knife looks similar.

Heating Pad

A heating pad can be wrapped around your jar of starter or placed under a bowl of dough or a loaf while rising.  The warmth will speed up the process of activating the starter, proofing the dough, or rising the loaf.