Operating the Sourdough Home is simple:

1.  Power ON/OFF: Lightly touch the power button.
2. Adjust Temperature: Use the + or – buttons to set your desired temperature.

That’s it! Once set, the Sourdough Home will maintain your chosen temperature—whether you need to warm up a sluggish starter or cool things down to extend the time between feedings.

To change the temperature display unit, hold both the “+” and “–” buttons together for 2 seconds. The screen will change between °F and °C. You can switch back anytime using the same method.

The Sourdough Home fits jars up to 1 liter (1 quart). It works with most standard glass jars, including Weck and Ball. 

Want the perfect fit? Check out our Sourdough Starter Jar!

Yes, we recommend covering your starter loosely while it’s inside the Sourdough Home.You don’t need an airtight seal—in fact, it’s better to use a jar with a loose-fitting lid or a mason jar with the lid resting on top but not screwed on tightly. This keeps dust and debris out while still allowing gas from fermentation to escape.

Our Sourdough Starter Jar was designed specifically for this purpose. It includes a loose-fitting, vented lid that works perfectly for both maintenance and storage inside the Sourdough Home.

Anywhere with stable room temperature works—like a kitchen counter. Avoid placing it next to ovens or in direct sunlight, and allow a few inches behind the unit for airflow.

Right after feeding—it’s designed to hold your starter 24/7. No need to let it ferment at room temperature first. Feed it, place it in the Sourdough Home, and leave it there until the next feeding or bake.

Yes, adjust anytime to speed up or slow down fermentation. Just hold the + or – buttons to shift the temperature. For big changes (more than 20°C / 36°F), turn the unit off and open the door for 5 minutes to reduce stress on the electronics.

The Sourdough Home heats and cools, while the Folding Proofer only heats. That means the Sourdough Home can hold your starter below room temperature to slow fermentation. It’s also more compact and designed specifically for starter jars up to 1 liter (1 quart). The Folding Proofer is larger and better suited for proofing dough or bulk fermentation.

It depends on how often you want to feed. Take a look at our recommended feeding schedules here.

The Sourdough Home is designed to maintain the temperature of your starter, not the surrounding air. If the unit is set to a temperature near or below body temperature (like 78–80°F / 26°C), it may not feel noticeably warm when you place your hand inside, even if it is operating correctly.

To check that it’s working properly, place a digital probe thermometer directly into your starter after it’s been inside the Sourdough Home for 4–6 hours. That will give you the most accurate reading.

The time to reach the set temperature depends on the amount of starter and its initial temperature. To speed things up, feed your starter with water close to your set temperature (warm or cool, depending on the target). The Sourdough Home is a low-power unit, so plan for slower transitions, especially for big temperature changes.

Use a digital probe thermometer inserted directly into the starter after it’s been in the unit for 4-6 hours. Measuring the air inside won’t give you an accurate reading.

The Sourdough Home maintains your starter at a consistent temperature so you can reduce feedings, minimize discard, and bake on your own schedule. It eliminates temperature fluctuations, simplifies maintenance, and gives you flexibility with feeding frequency.

Nope! That’s one of the best things about the Sourdough Home. By lowering the temperature, you can slow fermentation and feed your starter every 2, 3, or even 5 days. No need to stick to a rigid schedule or waste flour. It’s sourdough—on your terms.

Yes. Because you’re feeding less often, you’ll naturally create less discard. Many bakers find this to be one of the most satisfying benefits of using the Sourdough Home.

Yes—especially if it’s been less than 5 days. For longer intervals, feed once before baking. You can also build a levain first and use the Sourdough Home at 78°F (26°C) to speed fermentation.

Yes! Cool temperatures slow rise, but that doesn’t mean your starter is unhealthy. Gluten tightens at cooler temperatures, so expansion is limited. As long as your starter bubbles and smells active, it’s fine—even if it doesn’t rise as much as it does at higher temperatures.

Set your Sourdough Home to 41°F (5°C). Feed your starter with a reduced hydration (about 70%) so it is stiffer than normal, almost like a bread dough, and a higher ratio. Feeding example (10g starter, 50g water, 70g flour). When you return, remove the starter from the sourdough home, give it a feeding, and proceed as you usually would.

Absolutely. Just set the Sourdough Home to a warmer temperature (around 76–78°F / 24–26°C) to keep your starter active and ready to use daily.

You can—but fridge temperatures are usually too cold (around 38°F / 3°C). That often weakens your starter and requires extra feedings to revive it. The Sourdough Home keeps your starter cool but still active, so it’s healthier and ready to bake with when you are.

Yes! The Sourdough Home works with all types of starters—gluten-free, rye, whole wheat, and more. Temperature is key, no matter what flour you use.

Yes—especially if it’s been less than 5 days. For longer intervals, feed once before baking. You can also build a levain first and use the Sourdough Home at 78°F (26°C) to speed fermentation.

Not at all. Just set your desired temperature and let it run. The Sourdough Home maintains a stable environment with no babysitting required.

The Fahrenheit display is limited to two digits. To set higher temps, simply switch to Celsius by holding the + and – buttons for 2 seconds.

The Sourdough Home is designed to keep your starter within an optimal range—within 1–3°F of the set point. That slight variance is normal and doesn’t affect performance. What matters more than the exact number is how your starter behaves: is it rising well? Bubbling? Smelling pleasantly sour? If yes, then your starter is thriving—even if the thermometer shows a small difference.

A little condensation is normal and nothing to worry about! It can happen in two situations:

1. Cooling below room temperature, especially in humid environments
2. Warming up a liquid or starter stored in an uncovered container

To keep things tidy, we recommend occasionally wiping down the interior with a soft cloth or paper towel to keep it dry. Covering your starter with a loose-fitting lid can also help reduce moisture buildup.

The Sourdough Home is designed to be energy-efficient—even when running continuously.

・In cooling mode, it uses about 38 watts
・In heating mode, it uses about 30 watts

To put that in perspective, it uses less power than a standard light bulb, and because it adjusts based on your set temperature and room conditions, it doesn't run at full power constantly.

You can feel good about leaving it on to keep your starter happy without worrying about high energy costs.