Best Oven for Baking Sourdough Bread: Guide to Perfect

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If you’ve ever tried baking sourdough bread at home and ended up with a crust that could chip a tooth or a gummy center that just wouldn’t cook through, you’re not alone. The first time I attempted sourdough, I thought I followed every step to the letter. But the truth is, your oven can make or break your sourdough success.

In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything I’ve learned over the years about choosing the best oven for baking sourdough bread. Whether you’re working with a basic electric oven or considering investing in a high-end steam oven, this article will help you understand exactly what features matter most—and how you can get that golden, crackly crust and open crumb no matter what kind of oven you use.

So if you’ve been Googling things like What is the best oven setting for sourdough bread? or Can you bake sourdough in a regular oven? – I’ve got you covered.

Why Your Oven Matters When Baking Sourdough

Most beginners underestimate how crucial the oven is in the sourdough baking process. I know I did. But once you’ve nailed your starter, fermentation, shaping, and proofing, your oven becomes the final (and maybe most important) tool in your arsenal.

Heat Retention and Oven Spring

Sourdough gets its rise in the oven during the first 10 to 15 minutes of baking. This is known as oven spring. For that to happen properly, you need a very hot oven with consistent, stable heat. If your oven loses too much heat when the door opens or can’t maintain a high temperature, your dough won’t spring up—it’ll spread out.

Steam: The Key to Crust

Steam is essential for a thin, crackly crust. It delays crust formation in the first few minutes so the bread can rise fully before hardening. A dry oven creates a dull, tough exterior. Steam, on the other hand, gives you that bakery-style finish.

My Experience

When I first started baking, I used a standard gas oven that had uneven heating and zero steam control. Once I switched to a convection electric oven and added a Dutch oven, the difference was night and day. The crust got thinner and more blistered, and the crumb opened up beautifully.

Ovens for Baking Sourdough Bread

Regular (Conventional) Ovens

Can you bake sourdough in a regular oven? Absolutely. Most home bakers start here.

Pros:

  • Already available in most homes
  • No special knowledge required

Cons:

  • Poor steam retention unless modified
  • Uneven heating in some older models
best oven for baking sourdough bread
best oven for baking sourdough bread

If this is what you have, don’t worry. With the help of a Dutch oven (more on that later), you can bake excellent sourdough.

Convection Ovens

Are convection ovens good for baking sourdough bread? Yes—but with one key caveat.

How They Work:
A convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air. This leads to faster and more even baking, which is great for cookies or roasting. But for sourdough, that fan can dry out the crust too quickly.

When Not to Use a Convection Oven:
Turn the fan off during the first 15–20 minutes. This preserves steam and allows for full oven spring. You can switch it on toward the end for browning.

Steam Ovens / Combi Ovens

If you’re serious about sourdough, steam ovens are a dream.

Why They’re Great:

  • Built-in steam function
  • Even heat distribution
  • Ideal humidity for crust formation

Best For:
Intermediate to advanced bakers ready to invest in their craft.

Dutch Oven Inside Any Oven

This has been my go-to method for years.

How It Works:
You preheat a cast iron Dutch oven and bake your loaf inside it. The sealed lid traps steam from the dough itself, creating the perfect microclimate.

Benefits:

  • Works in any oven
  • Reliable oven spring
  • Beautiful crust

What Is the Best Oven for Baking Sourdough Bread?

Key Features:

  1. Heat Retention: Thick walls, solid door seal
  2. Steam Capability: Either built-in or through a Dutch oven
  3. Temperature Accuracy: The more precise, the better
  4. Size: Must fit a baking stone or Dutch oven comfortably

Which Oven Is Best for Baking Sourdough Bread?

In my experience, a high-quality electric convection oven with steam capability ranks highest. But even a conventional oven can be transformed into a sourdough powerhouse with the right techniques.

Top Picks:

  • Breville Smart Oven Air: Compact and powerful for small kitchens
  • GE Café Range: Built-in steam bake
  • Any oven + Dutch oven: Budget-friendly, still delivers amazing results
best oven for baking sourdough bread
best oven for baking sourdough bread

Best Oven Settings for Sourdough Bread

Temperature Guidelines

Always preheat your oven to at least 475°F (246°C). Once you load the bread, keep it at that temperature for 20 minutes, then reduce it to around 450°F (232°C) to finish baking.

Steam: The Secret to Crusty Perfection

Methods:

  • Dutch Oven: Best steam-trapping method
  • Water Pan: Place a tray of boiling water in the oven
  • Spritzer: Mist the oven walls before baking
  • Lava Rocks: Pour boiling water over preheated rocks in a tray

Convection: Yes or No?

What is the best oven function for baking bread?

Use the standard bake setting (top and bottom heat) without convection for the first half of the bake. If you want more browning at the end, turn on convection for the last 10 minutes.

Electric vs. Gas Ovens for Sourdough

Can You Make Sourdough in Electric Oven?

Yes—in fact, many bakers prefer it.

Electric Ovens:

  • Even heat
  • More accurate temperature control

Gas Ovens:

  • Moist heat (which can help crust)
  • Slower to preheat and sometimes uneven

My Take:
I’ve baked in both. My electric oven gives me more consistent results, especially when paired with a Dutch oven.

Best Oven Brands for Sourdough Bread in 2025

Breville Smart Oven Air

This countertop convection oven punches way above its weight. It fits a small Dutch oven and reaches high heat quickly. Great for apartment dwellers.

GE Café Electric Convection Oven

Comes with a built-in steam bake mode. You can bake two loaves at once with pro-level results.

KitchenAid Wall Oven with Steam Assist

This is a premium choice, but it delivers bakery-quality steam and precise control. Perfect for those baking multiple loaves per week.

Budget Option: Dutch Oven in a Conventional Oven

Still my favorite. A $50 cast iron Dutch oven inside a basic oven can deliver stunning loaves with open crumb and crispy crust.

best oven for baking sourdough bread
best oven for baking sourdough bread

Tips for Better Sourdough Baking Regardless of Oven Type

Use a Baking Stone or Steel

These help radiate heat from the bottom, giving better oven spring.

Always Preheat Thoroughly

Wait at least 30–40 minutes after your oven says it’s ready.

Calibrate Your Oven

Use an oven thermometer to check if your oven runs hot or cold. Mine runs 25°F lower than it says!

Keep a Baking Journal

Track your temperatures, steam method, rise, and bake time. It helps you learn what works best with your setup.

FAQs

What is the best oven setting for sourdough bread?

Preheat to 475°F, bake covered for steam, then reduce temp after 20 minutes.

Are convection ovens good for baking sourdough bread?

Yes, but turn off the fan for the first 15–20 minutes to preserve moisture.

Can you bake sourdough in a regular oven?

Absolutely. Use a Dutch oven to mimic professional steam.

Which oven is best for baking sourdough bread?

Electric convection ovens with steam or Dutch oven compatibility offer best results.

When should you not use a convection oven?

During the initial bake when you need steam and full oven spring.

What kind of oven is best for baking bread?

One that provides even heat, accurate temperature, and allows steam—ideally electric with convection and steam settings.

What oven function is best for bread?

Use regular bake (top and bottom heat). Add steam manually or bake in a Dutch oven.

Can you make sourdough in electric oven?

Yes, and many home bakers prefer it for its precision and even heating.

Conclusion:

At the end of the day, the best oven for baking sourdough bread is one that can hold high heat, retain steam, and fit your favorite Dutch oven. But even if your setup isn’t ideal, you can still bake great bread with a few tricks.

A great oven definitely helps, but remember—practice, hydration, timing, and good shaping matter just as much. Use what you have, make adjustments as you learn, and don’t give up after a few flat loaves. Your perfect sourdough is just a bake away.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Shahinur Akter is a kitchen appliance expert specializing in blenders, electric kettles, microwaves, and ovens. With years of hands-on experience, Shahinur Akter shares simple, honest tips and reviews to help readers choose smart, reliable appliances for everyday use.

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