Sourdough Gear

You don't need much to make great sourdough. But what you do need, you should buy right. Here's what's actually worth your money.

The Best Dutch Ovens for Baking Sourdough — Ranked

Le Creuset vs Lodge vs Challenger vs Staub. Size, lid fit, heat retention — full comparison table.

Round vs oval, linen liner vs bare rattan, how to season and care for them.

Why grams win every time. What to look for and which scales are worth the money.

Why scoring matters, types of lames, and how to get the ear you've been trying for.

Temperature control during proofing changes everything. Commercial and DIY options.

Gift tiers from under $30 to $150+. Everything a serious home baker actually wants.

If you're just getting started, these are the only four things you actually need.

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Kitchen Scale

Baking by weight is non-negotiable. A 0.1g scale for starter, 1g for dough.

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Dutch Oven

Traps steam for oven spring. 5.5qt round is the standard. Lodge is fine.

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Banneton

Shapes the loaf and wicks moisture during the final proof.

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Bench Scraper

The most underrated tool in bread baking. Metal, not plastic.