The Toolkit: What We Actually Use
You don’t need a kitchen full of expensive gadgets to bake incredible sourdough. You just need the right tools, some heavy cast iron, and a digital scale you can trust. Below is the exact gear Matt uses in the comic strips, and the exact tools we use to bake everything on this site.
The Digital Gram Scale
Artisan baking is math, not magic. You cannot measure flour by volume using cups; it varies way too much. To nail our high-hydration doughs and hit the perfect water ratios every single time, a digital gram scale is non-negotiable. But a basic one like this is a workhorse.
Pre-milled Bread Flour
This is by far my favorite pre-milled flour out there right now. I always have a bag or two on hand for when i don’t have time to mill my own grains.
Mill Your Own Wheat Berries
This is the way to go. Fresh milled flour is full of nutrition and flavor! I lie to do a mix of Red and White in most of my bakes. This variety pack will let you try a few custom blends that can call your own!
KitchenAid All Metal Grain Mill Attachment
We all have one of these mixers in our kitchen. And this grain mill attachment is the best way to get started milling your own wheat berries.
Cotton Rope Banneton Bread Proofing Basket
Crafted from high-quality cotton, these bread proofing baskets allow airflow to wick away excess moisture, helping to maintain a fresh environment for perfect bread proofing.ย
Cambro Food Storage Containers with Lids (BPA-Free)
Made from BPA-Free plastic, these Cambro plastic round food storage containers are resistant to cracking and breaking, meeting the highest standards of durability and quality. These make great bulk proofing containers and you can also use them to store fresh milled grains.
Premium Hand Crafted Bread Lame
I’ve tried a lot and this is my favorite one. Not much else to say about something just does the job you need it to do.
The 6-Quart Enameled Dutch Oven
If you want that explosive oven spring and a blistering, crispy crust, you need to trap the steam. We don’t bake a single loaf of sourdough without this heavy, enameled beast. It acts like a commercial bakery oven right inside your kitchen. And it comes in a variety of colors.
Transparency note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. That means if you click through and purchase something, we earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. It helps keep the flour stocked and the comic strips running.