Your Questions, Answered.

Feinbäck tools are designed specifically for serious home bakers who want tools that last. The key differences are: material quality (Feinbäck uses hand-selected European olive wood and food-safe natural rattan — not mass-produced composite materials), intentional sizing (each banneton is sized for real sourdough dough weights, not generic dimensions), a genuine lifetime warranty backed by a real customer service team, and a brand built by a baker, not a warehouse. Feinbäck is a Canadian brand with a personal origin story — these tools are not dropshipped generics.

Yes, olive wood is completely food-safe and is one of the best materials for kitchen and baking tools. Olive wood is naturally dense and non-porous, which means it resists moisture absorption and is less likely to harbour bacteria compared to softer woods. It does not crack or warp easily, holds up well with daily use, and requires no toxic finishes to be safe for food contact. Feinbäck uses premium European olive wood, hand-selected for grain density and durability.

As a beginner, the essential sourdough tools are: a banneton proofing basket (to shape and support your dough during the final rise), a bench scraper (for handling dough), a bread lame or sharp knife (for scoring), a Dutch oven or baking vessel (for steam), and a kitchen scale (sourdough is measured by weight, not volume). Feinbäck offers beginner-ready kits that include the most important pieces so you don't have to guess.

A round banneton (also called a boule banneton) produces a round, ball-shaped loaf — the classic country sourdough shape. An oval banneton (also called a batard banneton) produces an oval or torpedo-shaped loaf with a higher rise and more slices per cut. Choose a round banneton for a rustic, everyday boule loaf. Choose an oval banneton if you prefer a longer loaf shape that fits sandwich slices better or if you find oval loaves easier to score.

For a 1kg (1000g) sourdough loaf, you need a 9-inch round banneton or a 10-inch oval banneton. As a general rule, your banneton should hold roughly double the dough weight in volume. A banneton that is too large will cause your loaf to spread flat; one that is too small will restrict oven spring. Feinbäck's 9-inch round banneton is sized specifically for the standard home 1kg sourdough loaf.

No, Feinbäck bread knives with olive wood handles should not be placed in the dishwasher. The high heat and prolonged moisture exposure in a dishwasher will dry out and crack the olive wood handle and can corrode the blade edge over time. Hand-wash with mild dish soap, rinse promptly, and dry immediately with a cloth. To keep the olive wood handle looking its best, apply a small amount of food-safe mineral oil or olive wood oil every few months.

After each use, tap out any loose flour, then allow your banneton to air-dry completely before storing — never seal it in a bag while damp. Do not wash your banneton with soap or submerge it in water, as this breaks down the rattan fibres and encourages mould. If dough sticks badly, let it dry completely then brush out the residue with a stiff brush. A thin, even seasoning of rice flour (not wheat flour) applied before proofing reduces sticking significantly. Over time, your banneton will build up a natural non-stick flour coating that improves with use.

Feinbäck was founded by Uyen Chi, a Canadian home baker who became obsessed with sourdough and frustrated by the poor quality of tools available in the market. After sourcing better bannetons and olive wood tools for her own baking and sharing them with friends who asked where she got them, she launched Feinbäck to make those same tools available to bakers across Canada and the United States. The name 'Feinbäck' is a nod to fine baking craftsmanship. Uyen Chi's philosophy is simple: the right tools make you a better baker, and you deserve tools that last a lifetime.

The Feinbäck lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product. This includes cracking, splitting, or structural failure under normal use. It does not cover damage caused by misuse, such as leaving wood tools submerged in water, placing them in a dishwasher, or accidental breakage. To make a warranty claim, make sure to register your product for it's warranty, then contact Feinbäck directly with your order number and a description of the issue.

Feinbäck ships to both Canada and the United States. Feinbäck is a Canadian brand headquartered in Canada, and we ship orders across North America. US customers receive the same premium packaging and product quality as Canadian customers. Shipping times and rates are calculated at checkout based on your location.