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Starter not falling

GeorgiaO92's picture
GeorgiaO92

Starter not falling

Hi all,

I am new to making sourdough bread. This is my starter. I made it yesterday and as you can see it’s tripled in size. I have not fed it but it does appear to be slowing down. Do I feed it tomorrow and if it grows again to this current size, will it be ready?

I think there may also be a little hooch developing at the bottom? 

Thank you!

phaz's picture
phaz

Feed it once, then just stir it a couple 3 times a day until it starts growing again. When it stops rising it'll need food again. Ready tomorrow, if started yesterday, highly unlikely. Enjoy! 

GeorgiaO92's picture
GeorgiaO92

Thanks. It fell so I fed it and is already starting to bubble and slowly rise. I have it in a relatively warm environment so maybe another feed after this one and then I’m hoping it’s ready!

 

 

Ilya Flyamer's picture
Ilya Flyamer

How did you make the starter? Does it smell OK? If you get such growth so quickly (in one day?) it's likely to be bacteria that you don't want in your bread, and this should subside, until LABs and yeast take over a few days later.

GeorgiaO92's picture
GeorgiaO92

I made the starter with half a cup of wholemeal (wholewheat) flour and quarter of a cup of water. I have it stored in a warm spot. It shot up like that after 1 day, fell and I fed it about 10 hours ago for the first time, discarding half of the mixture, adding half a cup of all purpose flour and a quarter of a cup of water. It smells totally fine!

Please see attached photo - as you can see it has tripled in size again. I think it is beginning to fall so I will feed again but assuming after this feed it will be ready to use given it is stored in a warm environment? 

Ilya Flyamer's picture
Ilya Flyamer

OK, I'm not an expert, but a working starter from the first day to use in three days? Sounds too good to be true! Maybe you are very lucky with the flour...

GeorgiaO92's picture
GeorgiaO92

I’m not sure myself! Maybe I’ll keep going with this routine for a few more days.

phaz's picture
phaz

At least is recommended. Many issues arise from immature starters. Enjoy! 

phaz's picture
phaz

Keep warm keep stirring, don't feed until it almost stops rising. Do that and you may be ok to use in a few days. It may not be ideal but it should work with some adjustments. Enjoy!