Baking sourdough bread is inherently old-fashioned, relying on natural fermentation and wild yeast instead of the simple, predictable commercial stuff. So it might sound anathema to bring a gadget into the mix.

The trick to the Sourdough Sidekick – backed and branded by King Arthur flour – is that it promises to automate the boring bit of sourdough baking: starter management. It feeds your starter flour and water on a set schedule, ready for exactly when you want to bake, leaving you to focus on kneading, shaping, and the actual baking.

Like any single-purpose kitchen gadget, you’ll have to be confident you’ll get enough use to justify b …

Read the full story at The Verge.