Nicole’s Recommended Baking Gear
Sourdough Starter Jar
The flat lid can easily be left inverted over the top, allowing the microbes to breathe.
KoMo Grain Mill
Elevate your bread from great to special! Explore a whole world of grain by milling your own flour at the touch of a button. Instantly boost your bread’s nutrition, flavor and aroma.
Zassenhaus Bread Slicer
Work faster, not harder! Get even slices in a fraction of the time it takes to hand-slice a loaf of bread.
4 Qt Glass Dough Bowl
Glass allows you to easily see the change in volume as your dough ferments — plus all the bubbles trapped inside!
Mercer Bread Knife
Ridiculously affordable! The secret to this knife’s superiority is its deep wavy edge and a good weight to the handle.
Bread Board
You need a bread board deserving of your beautiful homemade bread. This gorgeous teakwood board has lasted me well for years — it’s a showpiece in my kitchen.
Extra Long Silicone Oven Mitts
Protect your arms as you reach into the oven for that beautiful loaf.
Flour Shaker
Delivers the perfect light dusting for your dough, banneton or work surface.
ROFCO Bread Oven
When you’re ready to graduate from your dutch oven, the ROFCO is ready for you. Made in Belgium, this brick oven is a game-changer, designed specifically for home bakers. You get to bake multiple loaves with bakery-style results. I have the B40 model.
Oval Banneton
Perfect for proofing an oval-shaped dough.
Digital Scale
This little workhorse lasted me fifteen years of baking. Affordable. Easy to use.
High Capacity Digital Scale
I upgraded to this scale when I started making six loaves in one go. The handy pull-out screen means I can see my measurements no matter the size (or weight!) of my bowl.
Folding Bread Proofer
This easy-to-store folding proofing box gives your dough the perfect environment to rise with consistent warmth and humidity (ideal for chilly kitchens).
Big Bulk Fermentation Bin
The exact proportions for the interior of the Brod & Taylor Folding Bread Proofer (see above). No cover needed when inside the proofing box.
King Arthur Bread Flour
My preferred white flour with higher gluten protein (12.7% - a whole point higher than other national brands). I also like that KA is an employee-owned B Corp.
Proofing Caps
Reusable food-grade plastic caps can be used to cover a banneton or a proofing bowl.
Bread and Pizza Stone
There’s no confining the expansion of your loaf when it’s baking on a stone.
Waffle Maker
Waffles are the best way to use up the sourdough discard whenever you feed the starter. I freeze them to eat for quick weekday breakfasts.
Round Banneton
A classic way to proof your round loaf.
Digital Thermometer
A super-fast, super-accurate pocket thermometer for determining the temperature of your dough and water. I recently upgraded to this from my old Thermopop.
Baking Shell and Steel
This super lightweight baking shell traps steam for a full bloom, and is big enough for large boules AND batards. No need to pre-heat either! Combined with a Brod & Taylor baking steel and you’ve got yourself the most effective, easy-to-use set for home sourdough baking.
Bread Paddle
If you're baking on a stone, this comes in handy for loading in and unloading your bread from the hot oven.
FAMAG Spiral Dough Mixer
Most mixers aren’t gentle enough for sourdough, but this spiral mixer was made for it. It’s a splurge, but for serious bakers turning out lots of loaves, it’s worth it. I LOVE mine. I even made a video about it.
Bowl Scraper
This simple scraper will become an extension of your hand. Absolutely essential for letting your dough know who's boss.
Half-Sheet Parchment Paper
Nonstick, precut and reusable. No bleach, just a light silicone coating. It’s perfect for transferring dough from proofing basket (or bowl) to oven.
Proofing Bowl
A steep-sided mixing bowl can serve as a great proofing bowl if you’d rather not buy a banneton (proofing basket). Pro: you can use this mixing bowl for other things! Con: you will only be able to make a round loaf (boule).
Grain Storage
Cambro containers are what the pros use for storing flour or whole wheat berries. Safe to use in the fridge, freezer or dishwasher.
Lame
Essential for scoring your bread safely and easily.
Challenger Bread Pan
LEVEL UP from a dutch oven with this gorgeous cast iron piece you’ll pass down through generations! Made in the USA.
B&T Dough Whisk
No more sticky dough hands!! Ultra-sturdy, dishwasher-safe, especially designed for combining wet and dry ingredients.
B&T Sourdough Home
The average refrigerator keeps your sourdough starter in a sluggish state (too cold!) But now you can give your starter the perfect environment in which to thrive! Adjust the temperature according to the feeding schedule that’s best for you.
Dutch Oven (Round)
A great vessel for baking a round-shaped loaf. It will retain an even heat, and most importantly, STEAM!
Premium Dutch Oven (Round)
It's hard to beat Le Creuset! If you want a top of the line dutch oven (which, remember, can be used for cooking all sorts of things beyond bread), then this is it.
Bench Scraper
If you’re making more than two loaves from one dough, you’ll want this. It’s also great for scraping dough off the counter.
Dutch Oven (Oval)
A great vessel for baking oval-shaped bread. It will retain an even heat, and most importantly, STEAM!
Premium Dutch Oven (Oval)
It's hard to beat Le Creuset! If you want a top of the line dutch oven (which, remember, can be used for cooking all sorts of things beyond bread), then this is it.