Built by a flour‑obsessed human who has spilled more dough on the counter than most people eat in a year.
Hello, I'm Baker Bob — the baker, tinkerer, and proud spreadsheet‑hater behind Sourdough Calculator. I've been kneading, baking, and (occasionally) burning loaves since the days when my Dutch oven was shinier than my technique. What started as crumb‑shot envy and napkins full of baker's math became this handy tool — because life\'s too short for bad loaves and calculator errors.
🔬 Why You Can Trust Me (AKA My "Expert Badge")
- Hands‑on baking: hundreds of loaves — from calm 70% hydration country bread to rowdy 85% hydration beasts.
- Method tested & retested: hydration, starter %, salt, and DDT water‑temp logic validated in real bakes, not just theory.
- Flour diplomacy: strong bread flours, heritage wheats, wholegrain rye — I tweak formulas so you don't have to guess.
- Community roots: I listen to bakers' real problems ("Bob! Why's my dough a puddle?!") and build tools to fix them.
📐 The Methodology in Plain English
- Hydration % — how tight or sloppy the dough feels. The calculator keeps it precise.
- Starter % (levain) — exact inoculation to tune speed and flavor.
- DDT (Desired Dough Temperature) — adjust water temp to hit predictable fermentation.
- Fermentation Timeline — turns your room temp into a reliable bulk + proof schedule.
These tools aren't slapped together — I cross‑check with pro bakery formulas and then bake the results, loaf after loaf. Want to try them? Head to the Sourdough Calculator and the Starter Guide.
🔎 Sourdough Experiments (Proof I Walk The Talk)
- 70% vs 80% Hydration: more water = more openness (and more stickiness). See tips in the blog.
- Starter % Showdown: 5% at 24 °C took ~12h; 20% fermented like a rocket.
- DDT in Real Life: same flour, three water temps → three very different timelines. 24 °C dough had the happiest bubbles.
📬 Contact Baker Bob
Questions, feature ideas, or a crumb shot you're proud of? I actually respond — usually between bakings.
Email: hello@sourdoughcalculator.app
🙋 FAQ (Quick Nibbles)
Is this calculator free?
Yes — like a neighbor dropping off extra starter.
Is the math accurate?
Absolutely. Built on baker's % and tested in live bakes by beginners and pros.
Can I request features?
Please do! Many features began as a baker's wish.
"This isn't just about measuring flour and water. It's about giving bakers — from first‑timers to flour warriors — the tools to craft bread with consistency, confidence, and joy."