Sourdough veterans - advise me please!

[milkmoustache]

I got the Paul Hollywood book for Xmas - the one on Baking with the ever-so-butch cover - can't wait to get stuck in! I am tempted to give sourdough a go but before I go spending on kit that I may not use if sourdough isn't for me, can you advise: do I really need proving baskets and proving cloths? Can I improvise? He explains the whole process so clearly that I am tempted to give it a whirl, but I am a notorious abandon-er of projects as well as being a bit tight-fisted, so I am trying to be practical for once.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I use plastic/metal bowls and clean tea-towels... works fine.

[UptoapointLordCopper]

Agree with Cogito. In fact I just bung the dough on the non-stick parchment and cover it with tea towel. And prop it up on all sides if the dough is too wet.

[4merlyknownasSHD]

You can always use a loaf pan, although the more rustic look of a banneton/proving basket raised has its appeal.

[RockinD]

making sourdough bread here without any special equipment whatsoever.

Using a loaf tin instead of a proving basket works very well.

Clean tea towels are your friend.

[JamNan]

Oiled clingfilm, tea towels and any old bowl for me. Sourdough bread is yummy and well worth the preparation time. You don't really need special equipment for baking bread however, I do have a baguette tin for two.

[lolalotta]

What's sourdough and is it yum?

[mindingalongtime]

Mmm, I must resurrect my starter from the back of the fridge, though my local baker does an excellent sourdough on Friday and Saturday at £1.99 and we eat it all in one go!