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When I lived in Lake Tahoe — at 6,250 feet elevation — baking gluten-free bread never turned out right. The altitude always seemed to fight against me. Every loaf came out dense, dry, or flat. After moving to Maryland, closer to sea level, I was excited to start dabbling in bread making again — this time hoping for better luck.
That’s when I discovered Captain Sourpants Gluten-Free Sourdough Starter — a 100-year-old dehydrated heirloom-style starter that you bring back to life using gluten-free brown rice flour and filtered water.
My first batch didn’t take off (I think my house was too cold due to the AC), but my second attempt came to life beautifully thanks to the Sourdough Starter Warmer with Glass Dome I ordered from Amazon. The mason jar I used was too tall for the dome, so I just used the warming base — and that extra warmth made all the difference.
For my setup, I used a mason jar with cheesecloth and tightened the ring around it. I didn’t use the jar lid, just the cheesecloth, so the starter could breathe while still staying protected from dust or bugs.
To stir my starter, I used the Skinny Spurtle, Teak Wooden Kitchen Utensil Set. It is so perfect for reaching the bottom of my large mason jar without scratching the glass. It’s become one of my favorite tools for mixing in general.
Small Town Living in Maryland 