Favorite Tools for Sourdough
When making sourdough bread, there is nothing wrong with using your own kitchen tools, ingredients and equipment. After trial and error and some research, I found that certain tools help make the process more streamlined and accurate. Having the right tools is extremely important. This is so true, when I was in practice is an RN, having tools that were precise mattered. A stethoscope that is accurate with precision was important. I guess the same holds true with baking supplies. The Danish Dough is one such item. It mixes batter so well no matter it’s thickness.
Also having a kitchen scale is important. It's vital to weigh ingredients rather than to using cups, spoons. It is easier, more accurate less mess and you don't need to get out all the measuring tools. We measure in grams. I use this for all my baking needs now. If you will be doing large scale baking, you may need a bigger scale, but this works just fine. You will need mixing bowls, any bowl in your home will do. Another useful tool that I rely on heavily is a bench scraper. It helps shape the dough into boules, tightens the skin of the SD for a great bloom while baking in the oven. it has many other uses such as dividing your dough for multiple bakes, rolls, pizza dough, English muffins.
There is the dough scraper for getting the dough out of the mixing bowl when ready to shape.
I really felt special when I got my first banneton. When first learning, I didn't want to invest in anything that I thought I may not stick with, but making delicious sourdough was so addictive that I wanted the real deal. A Banneton or proofing baskets is made out of natural fibres and helps keep shape to your dough while it is in the Cold retard stage. It is either round or oval. I got a starter set that actually had a round and oval basket with a danish dough whisk, dough scraper, bench scraper and a lame. You can buy individually but it may be more economical in the long run.
A lame is a handled tool that has a razor attached so that you can score your bread. a plain razor works just fine too.
Now for the big investment, owning a dutch oven is helpful as it is an oven with-in an oven. It holds moisture in. The first 20 minutes of baking your sourdough is crucial, the dutch oven steams the bread which gives it the bloom and rise you need. Many bakers of sourdough, have improvised with baking steels and an oven roaster covering the bread. Some have perfected the open bake. I'm more comfortable with the closed-bake process. You can find them on Facebook marketplace, garage sales, or recycle shops. They can be pricey, but many have found great deals on 2nd hand ones. Just make sure the lid knob is metal and not plastic I have this Lodge Baker and I have This one for my oval shaped breads. I use these exclusively for my breads. one last thing, before I leave this page, disposable shower caps, yes I said, they are extremely handy for coving your dough during the rest phases, and proof phase. they can be reused several times and it comes a 100 to a bag.
❤️
contains affiliate links