The Simple Sourdough — Page 3

Three sourdough starter jars side by side on a marble counter: a mason jar, Weck tulip jar, and deli container

Best Sourdough Starter Jars and Containers for Beginners

Not sure what to keep your sourdough starter in? Here are the best beginner-friendly starter jars and containers, plus the mistakes that ruin your starter.

Jun 29, 2026 · 6 min read

A bread lame, paring knife, and razor blade arranged side by side on a floured wooden surface

How-toTools & Ingredients

How to Score Sourdough: Tools and Beginner Patterns

Learn how to score sourdough bread with the right tools and simple beginner patterns. Lame vs. knife, angle, depth, and fixes for common scoring mistakes.

Jun 29, 2026 · 10 min read

Three small white bowls of fine sea salt, kosher salt, and table salt side by side on a marble counter

ExplainerTools & Ingredients

Which Salt for Sourdough? Types, Amounts, and Why It Matters

Confused about salt for sourdough? Learn which salt to use, exactly how much, and why it makes or breaks your loaf. Simple beginner guidance inside.

Jun 29, 2026 · 6 min read

Two glass jars of sourdough starter fed with tap water and filtered water side by side on a kitchen counter

ExplainerTools & Ingredients

Can You Use Tap Water for Sourdough? Water and Chlorine Explained

Wondering if tap water hurts your sourdough? Learn whether chlorine matters, how to spot a problem, and simple fixes for a healthier starter and better loaves.

Jun 29, 2026 · 5 min read

Overhead flat-lay of essential beginner sourdough tools including a digital scale, mixing bowl, Dutch oven, glass starter jar, and parchment paper on a light wooden table

ListTools & Ingredients

Essential Sourdough Tools for Beginners (and What to Skip)

Confused about what sourdough gear you really need? Here's the short must-have list, the nice-to-haves, and the gadgets you can skip to save money.

Jun 29, 2026 · 9 min read

Two identical cups of flour on separate kitchen scales showing different gram weights side by side

OpinionTools & Ingredients

Why a Kitchen Scale Matters More Than Measuring Cups

Do you need a scale to bake sourdough? Here's why weighing your ingredients fixes dense, gummy loaves—and how to start for under $15.

Jun 29, 2026 · 5 min read

Sourdough dough proofing in a rattan banneton beside identical dough in a floured towel-lined glass bowl

OpinionTools & Ingredients

Do You Really Need a Banneton? Cheap Proofing Basket Alternatives

Wondering if you really need a banneton for sourdough? Here are cheap bowl-and-towel alternatives that work just as well for beginners.

Jun 29, 2026 · 6 min read

Four bowls of flour labeled bread, all-purpose, whole wheat, and rye arranged in a row for sourdough comparison

ComparisonTools & Ingredients

What Flour Should Beginners Use for Sourdough?

Bread, all-purpose, whole wheat, or rye? Here's exactly which flour beginners should use for sourdough starter and loaves—and why it fixes dense, gummy bread.

Jun 29, 2026 · 11 min read

A crusty artisan sourdough boule resting on a cast iron Dutch oven lid, with steam rising, on a flour-dusted counter.

ListTools & Ingredients

Best Dutch Ovens for Beginner Sourdough Bakers

Confused about which Dutch oven to buy for sourdough? Honest picks across budgets, plus the 4 features that actually matter for a crusty, well-risen loaf.

Jun 29, 2026 · 10 min read

A sourdough loaf baked in a Dutch oven next to a sourdough loaf baked with a steam-pan setup, both with crusty golden crusts.

OpinionTools & Ingredients

Do You Need a Dutch Oven for Sourdough? Alternatives Explained

Can you bake sourdough without a Dutch oven? Yes. Here's what a Dutch oven actually does, plus 7 alternatives that give you crusty loaves at home.

Jun 29, 2026 · 8 min read

Flat-lay roadmap showing the five stages of sourdough baking from starter to finished loaf

Beginner GuideSourdough Fundamentals

The Complete Beginner's Guide to Sourdough (Start Here)

New to sourdough and tired of dense, gummy loaves? This complete beginner's guide shows you exactly where to start—from starter to your first bakeable loaf.

Jun 29, 2026 · 16 min read

Cross-section of a sourdough loaf with labeled crust, crumb, and ear on a floured wooden board

Quick ReferenceSourdough Fundamentals

Sourdough Terms Glossary: Plain-English Definitions

Confused by sourdough jargon? This plain-English glossary explains starter, hydration, bulk fermentation, crumb, and 40+ terms beginners actually need to know.

Jun 29, 2026 · 9 min read