Making bread is one of my favorite things! It is a labor of love and one hundred percent worth it.
Firstly, Sourdough is a commitment! I adore the whole process, so investing in the things that make it easier for me to make bread is well worth it. Many of these things are not necessary, but convenient. I've added links to individual items below, and the last one is a link to a whole kit. That is what I first purchased, and I have been very happy with everything that came inside.
Sourdough Links:
Weck jars for my sourdough start. This is a two pack! I use this size for when I need anywhere from 250-300g start for a recipe.
I use THIS size for when I need 100-150g for a recipe. This is a 6 pack, and I use them for my starts, jams, caramels, sauces... it is a great size and they're pretty!
Kitchen scale. Any food scale will work! This is the one I have.
Wooden spoons for mixing. I just prefer wood for mixing my sourdough, no scientific reason! Mine are actually from the cooking area at Harmons.
Baking pan. I use two different kinds. This cast iron pan from Deli and Co is my favorite. It can be purchased HERE. Use BERGBAKES30 for 30% off. I love the longevity and timelessness of cast iron, so it is my first choice!
The second is the Emil Henry Bread Cloche. I used to use a 7 1/4 La Creuset, but got this pan as a gift and love it so much more. The high heat in the oven and all the flour takes its toll on a nice dutch oven, and this pan is made for it! It's been great.
Large heavy bowl. It is much easier to mix in a heavy bowl. Once you get to the coil folds, it can be frustrating if the sticky dough lifts the bowl as you fold. I purchased this set a while ago and love it. I use the largest size if I am making my normal two-loaf recipe, and the medium bowl for one loaf.
Danish Wisk. Perfect to use the first two steps of sourdough making, but I actually use mine for cakes, brownies, whisking eggs... everything. And I think they are cute!
Scale. Any kitchen scale will do. Here is a link to one I like! It just needs to be big enough to hold the bowl you're using.
Bowl Scraper. This is not the same as a bench scraper. These are flexible and rounded on the edges and work perfectly for getting dough out of a bowl. I also use mine to knead occasionally.
Banneton or bread baskets. I have round and oval and love both. Personal preference here! It is also totally great to use a 10 inch bowl lined with a bread towel! You just dust it with flour, as you would a banneton.
Banneton Liners. Theyre actually food service hair nets! I don't love the cloth lines that come with the bannetons, so I use these. They can be reused multiple times, until they tear!
Bread Lame. I have one of these and really like it, but my favorite was a gift from @wiremonkeyshop on instagram. Here is my link that gives you 10% off! https://wiremonkey.com/discount/C1Z5YP7FNQ03?rfsn=8400402.55de6b
It is wonderful quality and it is so pretty! I love aesthetically pleasing kitchen tools.
Bench Scraper. Great for when you have literally anything on the counter, but most helpful for getting flour off. I use mine when I make cookies, pie crusts and bread.
Shower Caps for covering the bowls. Plastic wrap can also work, but the elastic around the shower caps make it so easy to use. I actually get mine at Sallys, a local beauty store. You can get them on Amazon, but they come in a pack of 100... which is not something I need.
Bread Bags. These are what I store my bread in. Gallon ziplock gabs won't fit a loaf of bread, so these work great. Plus they are much more affordable.
Bread Towels, or flour sack towels. My favorite for placing over bread while it rises. They are super light weight and easily cover a baking sheet.
Corn meal... very important for dusting under the sourdough. Flour doesn't cut it.
Sourdough Kit!!! This includes 2 bannetons, a danish whisk, a bread lame, a bench scraper, a bowl scraper, a nice mat for making any kind of dough and a duster for flour (the large paint brush looking thing). The only thing I do not use from this kit is the bread bag. I prefer to store mine in plastic to keep the loaves fresh longer.