Why Sourdough Bakers Love Bowl Covers

(Also, a little sneak peek 👀 The print in this photo is a new one coming soon!)

I promise I won’t turn this into a sourdough-only blog…but I did want to share something I recently discovered.

I’m pretty new (read: very!) to the sourdough world, but now I finally understand why sourdough bakers used to come up to my table at markets and buy out our bowl covers.

They’re perfect for proofing dough, and make covering sourdough while it rises easy.

Bowl covers stretch over your bowl and keep the dough covered while it rises. And if you’re doing a cold proof, you can move the whole bowl straight from the counter to the fridge without having to switch anything.

It’s simple, but incredibly convenient when you’re baking bread.

Why Bowl Covers Work So Well for Proofing Dough

When your dough is rising, you want it covered so it doesn’t dry out. A bowl cover for proofing dough makes that easy.

Just stretch it over the bowl and let the dough do its thing.

Because it’s reusable, you can use it again and again without reaching for plastic wrap every time you bake.

I’ve always loved using bowl covers for things like leftovers, salads, and bringing dishes to potlucks, but they’re especially handy for sourdough bread baking.

Now that I’ve started making sourdough, I can see why so many sourdough bakers love them.

Bowl Cover vs Beeswax Wrap: When Should You Use Each?

Someone asked me recently, “When should I use a bowl cover vs a beeswax wrap?”

The truth is, both work well, it mostly comes down to personal preference and what you’re covering.

Here’s how I tend to use them:

Bowl covers

• Covering bowls of dough while it proofs

• Leftovers stored in bowls

• Salads or dishes in the fridge

• Bringing dishes to potlucks

Beeswax wraps

• Covering half fruits or vegetables

• Wrapping cheese

• Covering smaller items that aren’t in bowls

Beeswax wraps are also a little more breathable, which can be helpful depending on what you're storing.

Personally, I love using beeswax wraps for half fruits and vegetables in the fridge.

But if you’re baking sourdough, a bowl cover is one of the easiest ways to cover dough while it rises.

👉 Browse Bowl Covers

Happy baking 🍞