Here are all the tools I use to make Sourdough Bread…
1) A kitchen scale, here are the preferred scales, in order of preference:
We are going to be measuring our ingredients by weight so a food scale is going to be a staple in your kitchen. That being said, you might as well get a good one like this since you will be using it to weigh your dough, and if you are operating a cottage bakery, you’ll be making large batches of dough, weighing 10+lbs.
2) Your mixing tools:
For small batches of dough…
NOTE: You can use any bowl you want, but the most ideal are dome bottoms, not ones with cylindrical bottoms. I prefer stainless steel over glass because they are light weight. Also, you will need to cover these bowls so the dough doesn’t dry out. There are no lids for these bowls, but an unconventional lid for them that I use are Corel 10 inch plates.
For large batches of dough…
KitchenAid 8qt Commercial Mixer (for mixing large batches of doughs –can fit 4-6 loaves at a time)
2) A vessel to do all your folds
For small batches of dough…
Pyrex container (rectangle, 9”x11”, 11 Cup capacity) holds 1 loaf only
For large batches of dough…
19qt Plastic bins (holds 12 loaves)
NOTE: When you are folding dough, the best surfaces to work with are glass and plastic, make sure the surface is a little damp –simply wipe the glass or plastic with your wet hand.
3) Proofing Baskets
Fruit Basket ($2.00 each)
4) Flour Sack Towels (as liners for your “bannetons”)
5) Scoring Tools
My favorite lames come from Wiremonkey. They have a wide variety of lames. you can checkout their catalog,
Here are my Top 3 lames that I use:
The Arc lame is great for getting a really nice “ear”
The Gooseneck lame is great because I am always burning myself
The UFO lame is great because the divots make it easy to change the blades
Tools specific to decorative scoring
6) Sourdough Baking tools
Parchment Paper (12×16)
(a timer for each loaf)
7) Miscellaneous MUST HAVEs
8) Packaging Tools I Use
9) Flour Mills & Sifters I use
10) Food Storage Bins
11) Proofers (to control and manipulate starter temperature)
Brod & Taylor Proofer (for big starters)
Brod & Taylor Sourdough Home (for small starters)
Dough Mat – use code ROSELLE10 for 10% OFF
If you buy through my link, I get a little commission. These are tools I use daily in my own micro-bakery, so I can personally confirm that they are the best tools for the job and helps me a great deal!