What You’ll Learn
- Typical sourdough baking temperatures.
- Why preheating matters.
- When to reduce heat.
- How fan ovens differ.
- How to diagnose pale or burnt loaves.
Quick Answer
Many sourdough loaves bake around 220–250°C, often starting hotter and finishing slightly cooler. The exact temperature depends on your oven, baking vessel and loaf size. A fully baked loaf should have a well-coloured crust and feel light for its size.
This lesson is part of our Baking Bread section: “From mixing your dough to slicing your first loaf.”
Why Bake Hot?
Strong initial heat supports oven spring and rapid expansion.
Preheating
Heavy pots, stones and steels need time to store heat.
Covered Stage
Dutch oven baking often starts hot with the lid on.
Uncovered Stage
Heat may be reduced slightly once the lid comes off.
Fan vs Conventional
Fan ovens can brown faster, so temperatures may need adjustment.
Reading the Crust
Colour is useful feedback. Pale bread may need more heat or time; burnt surfaces may need less top heat.
From Our Workshop
Oven dials are not perfect. Two ovens set to the same number can bake very differently.
Bake Slower Tip
Use your first few loaves to calibrate the oven rather than endlessly changing the recipe.
Common Mistake
Do not lower temperature too early just because the crust starts colouring.
Today You Learned
- Sourdough is usually baked hot.
- Preheating matters.
- Heavy cookware needs extra time.
- Fan ovens may need adjustment.
- Crust colour is useful feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 230°C good for sourdough?
Often, yes.
Can I bake at 200°C?
Yes, but oven spring and crust may differ.
Should I use a thermometer?
An oven thermometer can reveal inaccurate oven settings.
What internal temperature means done?
Internal temperature can help, but crust and bake time matter too.
Why is my crust too dark?
Reduce top heat, temperature or uncovered bake time.
Tools Mentioned in This Guide
These products are directly related to the baking stage covered in this lesson.
Dutch ovens
4.7L Dutch Oven Cast Iron Casserole Pot
£55.95Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page-
5.6L Cast Iron Dutch Oven for Sourdough Baking
£81.95Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Build a Better Baking Setup
Knowing your oven is more useful than copying someone else’s exact temperature.
Continue Learning
Next lesson: Cooling Sourdough Bread
Use this in your next bake
Use the clock as a reference, not the finish line. Dough temperature, flour and starter strength can move the schedule significantly. Note what the dough looks and feels like at each stage so the next bake becomes easier to judge.
