Department Resources: Recommended Equipment
Before your starter enters its baking era, it's helpful to have a few trusted tools on hand. While sourdough has been made for centuries with simple ingredients and basic equipment, the right supplies can remove some of the guesswork and set you up for success. Consider this your department-issued equipment list—everything you need (and a few things you'll eventually convince yourself you need) to care for your starter and bake beautiful homemade bread.
To make things easy, I've also put together an Amazon shopping list featuring my recommended tools and supplies. Whether you're starting from scratch or adding to your collection, you'll find links to many of the items I personally recommend for feeding, maintaining, and baking with your sourdough starter.
Best tip for beginners, buy a food scale if you do not have one! It will save you the guess work. Here is an inexpensive one: https://a.co/d/03Nf8gKy
Here is a great kit – it has everything you need to get started https://a.co/d/0dkBC8cA
Four-quart glass mixing bowl with a lid https://a.co/d/0fZJLWb5
Dutch oven (at least 5 quarts). I recommend this one: https://a.co/d/08v7IM1D
If you do not want to buy the kit, here are the essential items you will need:
24-34 ounce wide mouth jar (I recommend having 3 jars total, but you can get by with 1 jar)
Reusable sourdough jar covers (made out of cotton or cheese cloth)
Silicone jar spatula (these are longer and skinny than your typical spatula)
Dough whisk
Round Proofing Basket (9 Inch) - if you are only going to purchase 1, I recommend the round one
Oval Proofing Basket (10 Inch)
Silicone Bread Sling – use this when you bake your bread in the Dutch oven