Launchpad
Ready to activate your starter? Skip straight to activation guide.
Step One
Tear open the packet above the zip lock and take out the two pads.
Give them a few good shakes, then use your fingers to break up any clumps that you can feel inside the bags.
Step Two
Flatten out the pads, then sit your jar of sourdough starter on top. Ensure a stable base by moving them further apart or closer together, depending on the width of your jar.
After a few minutes, Launchpad will warm up. Keep your starter on top until you see bubbles appear on the surface, at which point it is active and ready to bake with.
You can then put the pads back in the black bag, re-sealing the zip lock.
Launchpad safety information
Do not eat. Do not microwave. Discard immediately if bag breaks. Do not allow contents to get in eyes or mouth. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Launchpad FAQs
Use the FAQ section to answer your customers' most frequent questions.
While not strictly necessary if your room is above 23°C, Launchpad significantly speeds up the activation time. Our tests show it can activate your starter up to three times faster, even in a warm environment.
Yes! Launchpad warms up when exposed to oxygen, and cools down again when it is returned to its sealed pouch. After initial activation, you can use it again to warm your starter, ensuring it's active and bubbly before baking. This is particularly useful if your room is chilly or your starter has been kept in the fridge.
Launchpad typically reaches its maximum heat within 10-15 minutes of being exposed to oxygen outside its pouch.
No, your starter will work just fine without it, even if your room temperature is lower than the 23°C. Launchpad simply helps your starter to be at its most bubbly and active, which ensures maximum carbon dioxide production for optimal rise and a good crumb structure, leading to consistent and flavourful bread.
Launchpad works through a natural oxidation process. Its main ingredients — iron powder, water, salt, activated charcoal, and vermiculite— react with oxygen once the ziplock seal is opened and the bags are exposed to air. This reaction causes the iron to oxidize, releasing heat. Activated charcoal helps regulate the reaction, and vermiculite manages water content, ensuring a steady, even warmth.
Each Launchpad typically provides 5-10 hours of total warmth, depending on how long it's left exposed between uses. To maximize its lifespan, always return it to its bag and properly reseal the ziplock immediately after each use.
Regardless of usage, Launchpad typically stops working about one month after its initial opening
Launchpad is safe to handle, but it can reach temperatures of up to 70°C so it is best to avoid prolonged direct contact with your skin. If the bag is broken, immediately dispose of it. Do not allow the internal contents to get in your eyes or mouth, as the iron powder can be harmful if swallowed. Keep out of reach of young children or pets.
Once your Launchpad no longer warms up, you can dispose of it responsibly by opening the packet and mixing the contents into soil. This acts as a natural conditioner, returning the materials to nature in an eco-friendly way.
