The Sourdough Sidekick automatically feeds your sourdough starter. It dispenses flour and water and mixes, and performs these feeding cycles at the frequency you choose.
In Auto mode, it can build the amount of starter you specify and have it ready on the day and time you set, with no discarding required for up to a week.
The Sidekick can produce up to 525g of starter. In Auto mode, there's a minimum goal of 150g in days 1-2 and a minimum of 400g days 3-7.
If your starter is too watery, take apart the flour hopper and reinstall part 2. The wide side of part 2 should be installed over the clear flour hopper's hole. Here's a quick video demonstrating: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bgC2OJNzJiM
Then do a quick flour calibration again and you'll be good to go. Flour calibration should yield between 70-90g. The Sidekick will adjust internally based on your input.
Flour should dispense approximately 70-90g on calibration. If you see much less during calibration, take apart the flour hopper and reinstall part 2. The wide side of part 2 should be installed over the clear flour hopper's hole. Here's a quick video demonstrating: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bgC2OJNzJiM
Then do a quick flour calibration again and you'll be good to go.
Press the actual word Start, not the knob, to begin a cycle.
First, you’ll need a small amount (15g or approx. 1 Tbs.) of bubbly, active starter. Live starter can be purchased from King Arthur Baking Company, purchased online, or given to you by a friend or bakery. Or, the Sidekick can help you make new starter from scratch with just flour and water.
Then you’ll need water & unbleached flour to kick off a cycle in any mode. The Sidekick is compatible with any kind of unbleached flour, including all-purpose, bread, gluten free and self-ground flours.
When you first set up your Sidekick, or if you’re changing flour types, you’ll need a kitchen scale to calibrate flour and water dispensing.
No. However, the Sidekick is temperature aware. In Auto mode, it adjusts its feeding based on the ambient temperature in your kitchen.
Yes. The Sidekick will be the perfect new home for your existing starter. It can also help you create a starter from scratch.
Note that a from-scratch starter can take 14+ days.
Auto Mode eliminates the need to discard for up to a week. In Ratio and Custom modes, the Sidekick will let you know when it's time to discard so you're never guessing.
Auto mode works using a unique “microfeeding” approach that keeps your starter alive and builds the amount of starter you request without requiring discarding or interaction for up to a week.
Yes. Download the SmartHQ app from your App store. On the Sidekick, press the Settings button and turn the knob until you see “WIFI.” Press the knob to select. Open the SmartHQ app and follow the in-app instructions to pair your Sidekick. From the SmartHQ app, you can remotely monitor your Sidekick, apply software updates to the appliance and receive push notifications about your starter.
Download the Sourdough Sidekick Use & Care Guide.
The Sourdough Sidekick comes with a one year limited warranty. If your appliance fails to operate properly while in use under normal household conditions within the warranty period, visit SourdoughSidekick.com or email Sidekick@FirstBuild.com to file a warranty claim. Please include your model and serial numbers. Return and packing instruction information will be provided at that time.
If the appliance fails due to a defect in materials or workmanship, during the limited one-year warranty, FirstBuild will either repair your product, replace your product with a new or remanufactured product, or refund the purchase price of the product, at FirstBuild’s sole discretion.
This warranty does not cover:
- Failure of the product if it is abused, misused, or used for other than the intended purpose or used commercially
- Replacement of house fuses or resetting of circuit breakers
- Damage caused after delivery
- Damage to the product caused by accident, fire, floods or acts of God
- Incidental or consequential damage caused by possible defects with this appliance
The Sourdough Sidekick was developed at FirstBuild, the co-creation space for GE Appliances. FirstBuild aims to invent what’s next for the home openly, together with its community. See what’s next by following FirstBuild on YouTube, or visit us in Louisville, KY, where we also run a free community makerspace that’s open nights and Saturdays.
Software Update 1: Calibration improvements
(v.43; 45.0.15.069)
Watch the video update here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX7mWC6j3TQ
OTA 1 centered around improving the calibration experience. It will roll out to users between May 12-15, 2026.
To receive the update:
- Connect your Sidekick to WiFi if not already
- Update or download the SmartHQ app
- Open SmartHQ and accept the Sidekick-specific update
- Note: Sourdough Sidekick can't be in an active mode when updating
Calibration improvements:
- Sourdough Sidekick will now show the actual value of calibration during the "input" stage instead of a default display (such as 90g flour/130g water)
- The new "Adjust" setting (Settings → Calib → Adjust) makes it easy to see your current calibration numbers
- Sourdough Sidekick will now remind you to "Insert Crock" if needed during calibration
- You can now cancel calibration at any time using the cancel button
Other bug fixes:
- Some connected users may have noticed issues where the Sidekick didn't recognize the correct day. This has been fixed.
- Improvements to setting the clock
What's next:
- The team is currently working on OTA 2, where we anticipate improving the power loss experience.