Buy NowMultiple Buying Options Available$180 at Shop$180 at King Arthur BakingRating:

8/10

WIREDA hands-off way to maintain your sourdough starter so it’s ready when you need it. Ensures no missed or forgotten feedings. Small enough to fit unobtrusively on most countertops. All variables are customizable.TIREDNo temperature control. Mixing cycle is loud and can be startling. Calibration is fiddly, especially if you frequently switch between flour types.

Like many people, I enjoy baking my own bread—especially this time of year. I baked sourdough on and off for nearly a decade, even having a recipe tested for a James Beard-winning bread cookbook, but I’m not proud to admit it’s been over a year since I baked a proper sourdough loaf.