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
Please carefully read the safety information on the back of the pack before use.
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
No. The Launchpad is designed for a single mission: to wake up your starter.
The initial activation is helped along by the extra boost, but once your starter comes to life the first time, they have done their job! Your starter has now graduated from the "Launch" phase. It no longer needs that intense, direct heat source to survive.
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.
Launchpad typically reaches its maximum heat within 10-15 minutes of being exposed to oxygen outside its pouch.
No. The direct heat from your Launchpad is only needed for the very first activation. After that, your starter will work just fine without it.
Going forward, warming your starter at room temperature is all you'll need.
We recommend that prior to baking, you take your starter out of the fridge and leave it somewhere warm (ideally in the 'just right' zone on your temperature card) for an hour or two before adding it to your mix. This will help it to reach peak activation before you bake with it (works even better if you can give it a feed first!).
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.
You can store your Launchpad in its sealed pouch for up to one year before opening it.
Once you open the pouch, your Launchpad typically provides 5-10 hours of total warmth (far more than you'll need for the first activation).
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.
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.
