Starters, Fermentation & Care

Looking After Your Sourdough Starter and Dough

A good sourdough routine starts with regular feeding, a suitable container and an understanding of how temperature affects fermentation. You don’t need a complicated setup—just useful tools and a little time to get to know your starter.

Starting Your First Sourdough Starter

You can create a starter from flour and water, or reactivate an established culture using our Hibiscus Coast Heritage dehydrated sourdough starter. Dehydrated starter needs feeding and time to become active before you bake with it.

Follow our guide to reactivating a dehydrated sourdough starter, or learn how to create your own starter from scratch.

Starter Jars and Everyday Feeding

A clear jar makes it easier to see bubbles and track your starter’s rise after feeding. Choose a size with room for expansion, and use a spatula to mix thoroughly and scrape down the sides.

Our starter jar kits and spatula set help bring those everyday tasks together. Check each product listing for its contents - starter jars and sourdough starter are separate items unless stated otherwise.

Mixing and Bulk Fermentation

Bulk fermentation is the stage after mixing when your dough ferments before shaping. A glass mixing bowl or fermentation jug lets you observe the dough as it develops, helping you learn how its appearance and rise change over time.

Choose a container that suits your usual dough quantity, with enough room for expansion. Follow your recipe and watch the dough itself rather than relying only on the clock.

Do I Need a Starter Incubator or Proofing Box?

Not every kitchen needs one. Cooler temperatures slow fermentation, while warmer conditions generally speed it up. If your kitchen is cold or its temperature varies, a starter incubator and proofing box can help provide a more consistent warm environment.

Explore our sourdough starter incubator and proofing box and follow its instructions alongside your recipe.

Practical Help from Our Kitchen

At The Sourdough Kitchen, we enjoy the everyday rhythm of feeding a starter and making bread at home. We choose tools we find useful and share guidance to help you build your own routine.

If you’re unsure where to begin or which item suits your setup, get in touch - we’re happy to help.