When the innovation lab of a major appliance company joins forces with one of the most trusted names in baking, something magical happens. Enter the Sourdough Sidekick: a countertop device that automatically feeds your sourdough starter—so you don’t have to.
This inventive new gadget is led by FirstBuild (the open innovation arm of GE Appliances) in collaboration with King Arthur Baking Company, and it’s the kind of delightfully nerdy crossover we didn’t know we needed. It’s a story of modern engineering meeting culinary tradition, and it’s changing the game for sourdough bread bakers.
A Love Letter to Sourdough
Sourdough baking has long been a labor of love. Your starter—made from just flour and water—naturally captures wild yeast and bacteria from the environment, becoming a living kitchen companion over time. It bubbles, grows, and needs to be fed regularly to stay healthy.
But maintaining a starter takes consistency. Miss a few feedings, and your bubbly friend can go dormant or, worse, moldy. That’s where the Sourdough Sidekick shows its value.
Is It Still Homemade If a Robot Feeds Your Starter?
For some, the charm of sourdough is its intimacy. Feeding a starter. Watching it grow. Baking with a culture you’ve nurtured like a pet. It’s not just bread—it’s a ritual.
But here’s the thing: just because a process is automated doesn’t mean it loses its soul.
Using a rice cooker doesn’t make your rice less homemade. A stand mixer doesn’t make your cookies less delicious. The Sourdough Sidekick simply steps in as a kitchen assistant—making the path to great bread more accessible, consistent, and less prone to human error (or forgetfulness).
Craft Evolved
In many ways, the Sidekick is a tool of empowerment. It lowers the barrier for beginners who are curious but intimidated. It supports experienced bakers who travel or forget to feed. It invites more people into the world of sourdough.
Technology isn’t the enemy of craft. It’s the evolution of it. And in this case, it allows the process to be both personal and practical.
Proof That Collaboration Works
The thing that makes the Sourdough Sidekick so special isn’t just its utility—it’s how it’s coming to life. This is what happens when bold engineers meet passionate bakers and an engaged community of backers. By launching on Indiegogo, the team is inviting all communities to help bring the Sidekick to life.
It’s innovation with soul, powered by collective enthusiasm and a shared love for good bread. Whether you’re a hardcore breadhead or a newbie who just wants fewer kitchen casualties, the Sidekick has your back (and your starter).