Sourdough Tool Guide by Carrie Odgers Lax

rhsd Proofing Baskets

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:00:01 UTC

I love these wood pulp baskets. Available in both oval (batard) and round (boule) shapes. Pair them with a rhsd BreadMat (below).

The BreadMat

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:00:01 UTC

The Rosehill Sourdough BreadMat is absolute genius. It makes it super easy to move your dough to and from a hot pan, helps to keep your bottom crust from burning, and saves a ton of parchment paper.

Read more about bread slings here.

Bread Lames

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:00:01 UTC

You can score your sourdough loaves with a just a simple (clean!) razor blade, but these handmade bread lames (pronounced lahm) from Wiremonkey are both beautiful & functional. Handmade in CT.

I have the Corbeau & Goose lames, and while I love them both, I'm partial to the Goose!

Challenger Bread Pan

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:00:01 UTC

If you want to maximize oven spring (the final burst of rising just after a loaf of sourdough bread is put in the oven but before the crust hardens), you'll need to start your bake in a covered pan.

The Challenger Bread Pan is super pricey, and super heavy, but worth it. You can bake boules (round loaves), batards (oval loaves) and even demi-baguettes! It's the one pan to rule them all.

Lodge 5 Qt Dutch Oven

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:00:01 UTC

I started with the Lodge 5 Qt Double Dutch Oven and it works incredibly well. If you have storage space that can accommodate a long handle, the Lodge 3.2 Qt Cast Iron Combo Cooker is also a great choice and adds a cast iron skillet to your arsenal.

Digital, Quick Read Thermometer

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:00:01 UTC

The Thermapen ONE is the gold standard, but the ThermoPop 2 & DASH are also great, at a fraction of the price.

Jar Spatulas

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:00:01 UTC

OXO has discontinued these for reasons that defy logic. 🙄 These Di Oro jar spatulas look like a good option, but I haven't tried them. OXO's new models can be found here.

Sourdough Starter Jars

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:00:01 UTC

These 900 1/5 L (10 oz.) Weck jars are pure gold. I store the ring and clips and just use the glass top right on the jar.

For larger levain builds, these 742 1/2 L (20 oz.) Weck jars are also great, but I prefer the 16 oz. wide-mouth Ball jars.

⭐️ The medium glass top from the 900 (1/5 L) Weck jars also fits wide mouth Ball jars!

All Hail the Lowly Flour Sack Towel

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:00:01 UTC

Having a collection of quality flour sack towels will make your life so much easier if you bake bread. You can line your proofing vessel with these...no flour needed! I really like the Grove towels because they are super affordable, but really any flour sack towel will do.

Ooni Dual Platform Digital Scale

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:00:01 UTC

I can't recommend this digital scale from Ooni enough!! It's attractive on the counter, measures to tenths of a gram, and you can clearly see the display even when measuring into large bowls. It is a bit pricy at $50, but I think it's worth every penny.

Need something more affordable? This Nourish Kitchen Scale from Greater Goods is less than $20 and comes in a variety of colors.

Brod & Taylor Folding Proofer

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:13:41 UTC

It is definitely an indulgence, but if you bake a lot...and especially if your kitchen tends to be drafty or cold in the winter...this Brød & Taylor Folding Proofer & Slow Cooker is worth every penny. It's a breeze to set up & take down, and can be stored vertically to save cabinet space.

Bowl Covers

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:14:04 UTC

These bowl and casserole covers are as versatile as they are beautiful. I use them to cover my bowls and pans during bulk fermentation as well as to cover my baskets during cold proofs. If you sign up for their newsletter (click the link above) you'll be notified of new fabric patterns and product drops (casserole covers go quickly!).

Mixing Bowls

laxedtech — 2024-01-06 18:14:44 UTC

I love this bowl set because the sizes are great and the covers are super useful.

This set from Breadtopia comes with silicone bottoms, which could be super useful when mixing & folding dough.

laxedtech — 2024-01-08 00:44:53 UTC

Bowl Scrapers

laxedtech — 2024-01-08 01:43:19 UTC

I have this KitchenAid set and they get the job done well enough. I also have this King Arthur Flour flexible bowl scraper and it works pretty well.

laxedtech — 2024-01-08 01:58:49 UTC

Carbon Steel/Cast Iron Seasoning Wax

laxedtech — 2024-01-08 02:19:19 UTC

If you want to learn more about caring for cast iron or carbon steel, Chris Wing is the man you want to follow. His seasoning compound is amazing. Highly recommend.

Baking Steels

laxedtech — 2024-01-08 02:25:11 UTC

Bowl Covers

laxedtech — 2024-01-08 02:25:55 UTC

These bowl and casserole covers are as versatile as they are beautiful. I use them to cover my bowls and pans during bulk fermentation as well as to cover my baskets during cold proofs.

laxedtech — 2024-01-08 02:35:41 UTC

Bench Scrapers

laxedtech — 2024-01-08 02:40:52 UTC

A dough scraper/bench knife can make your shaping & bench work at lot easier, especially if you're working with high hydration doughs. I use mine constantly! Look for a bench knife with some heft to it, especially in the handle.

Oven Mitts

laxedtech — 2024-01-08 02:56:45 UTC

I loved these All-Clad oven mitts for so long. They are well insulated, heat resistant up to 500ºF, and machine washable. But after using them for a couple of years, some of the stitching failed. :/ I replaced them with these KitchenAid lined silicone oven mitts. So far, so good, but I do find them harder to grip with.

Whatever mitts you choose, you'll want to be sure they are well insulated and LONG before you use them to stick your arms/hands anywhere near a screaming hot bread pan or oven.

Parchment Sheets

laxedtech — 2024-01-17 15:48:43 UTC

Individual sheets are easier to work with than a roll. Make sure they are silicone coated rather than Quilon coated.

These sheets from Breadtopia are also great and considerably cheaper, but there is no free shipping option and their shipping rates are very high.

Brød & Taylor Baking Shells

laxedtech — 2025-03-29 12:09:03 UTC

If you want to maximize oven spring (the final burst of rising just after a loaf of sourdough bread is put in the oven but before the crust hardens), you'll need to start your bake in a covered pan. These Brød & Taylor Baking Shells are light, don't need to be preheated, and work really well when paired with a baking steel.

laxedtech — 2026-01-05 20:45:39 UTC

These silicone "soap" bars are amazing for getting sticky sourdough off your hands. They are not cheap, but they are definitely worth it!