# King Arthur Baking’s Sourdough Sidekick: A Hands‑Off Starter

- Topic: tech
- Source: [Wired](https://www.wired.com/review/king-arthur-baking-sourdough-sidekick/)
- Published: 2026-11-09
- Original: https://www.wired.com/review/king-arthur-baking-sourdough-sidekick/
- Language: en
- Image: https://media.wired.com/photos/6af017c637aad9e5c7a8f002/master/pass/Review--King-Arthur-Baking-Sourdough-Sidekick.jpg

## At a glance

- Sidekick automates starter feeding, running up to seven days ahead with Auto, Ratio, and Custom modes.
- Firmware update and precise water‑flour calibration are required for proper hydration, a process the reviewer found fiddly.
- Device mixes every two hours, producing a loud mechanical whir that can startle users but offers power‑loss recovery up to 12 hours.
- Despite lack of temperature control, the Sidekick produced a starter yielding a loaf indistinguishable from hand‑fed starter, with enough volume for multiple boules.

## Sources

- [Wired](https://www.wired.com/review/king-arthur-baking-sourdough-sidekick/)

## The story

The King Arthur Baking Company’s Sourdough Sidekick, developed with GE’s FirstBuild lab, automates starter feeding and maintenance. After three weeks of use, the reviewer reports the device has ended a year‑long sourdough slump and keeps the starter active without manual feedings. The appliance, about the size of a Mr. Coffee, holds water, flour, and a glass crock with a stirring paddle, and it can be set to run up to seven days ahead.

Initial setup required a firmware update and careful calibration of water and flour amounts, a process the reviewer found fiddly but necessary for proper hydration. The Sidekick mixes every two hours, producing a loud mechanical whir that can startle users, and it offers Auto, Ratio, and Custom modes, allowing users to adjust feeding ratios or exact quantities. The reviewer noted the device’s lack of temperature control and the loud mixing noise as drawbacks, but praised the power‑loss recovery feature that worked after a breaker tripped.

Despite the quirks, the Sidekick produced a starter that yielded a loaf indistinguishable from one hand‑fed, and the reviewer now has enough starter for multiple boules and sandwich loaves. The product’s price of $180 and optional accessories such as a Crock Grip Band are listed on the manufacturer’s site. The review concludes that the Sidekick’s convenience outweighs its minor inconveniences for home bakers seeking a reliable, hands‑off starter.

> Summary by Daily Read Bytes. [Read the original source](https://www.wired.com/review/king-arthur-baking-sourdough-sidekick/)