Have questions about sourdough? This troubleshooting guide offers practical tips and tricks to achieve a bubbly, active sourdough starter.
Without a doubt, the most intimidating aspect of sourdough baking is understanding its key element: the starter.
What is a sourdough starter you ask?
Simply put: a starter is a live fermented culture of flour and water.
Once it becomes bubbly and active a small portion is used to make your bread dough rise- no commercial yeast is required. It’s a technique that can be traced back thousands of years when instant yeast was not yet available to bakers.
Doesn’t sound too scary, right?
But there’s a catch…
A starter is not just this “thing” you create and walk away from forever.
It must be kept alive and well with additional feedings (flour and water) to keep it bubbly and active. Remember, it’s a living culture which must be cared for with intent. Otherwise, your bread won’t rise. Think of it like a pet that needs to be fed daily, or a house plant that needs water and a sunny window.
At its core, sourdough is about understanding and committing to an ongoing relationship.
As with all relationships however, there lies a bit of uncertainty.
You might ask yourself: “Am I doing this right? Why does my starter look different than yours? Why is it taking forever to rise? Is it dead?”
That’s why I’ve put together this article for you.
Most of the information is already covered in my book Artisan Sourdough Made Simple, but I’ve included additional details to answer any questions you might have and to open up the topic for discussion.
Two quick things before you begin:
1.) To streamline the process, this post assumes you have a working knowledge of a 100% hydration starter, made from equal parts regular wheat flour and water by weight. This is the most common type of sourdough starter. If you don’t have a starter, try my Beginner Sourdough Starter Recipe.
2.) This post is also very comprehensive. To avoid losing your mind as you digest the details, take your time and read through it a few times until the aha moment strikes!
Because eventually, it will…
Troubleshooting Your Sourdough Starter
1.) Why Won’t My Starter Rise?
Ahh yes… the million dollar question. It’s like asking: “Why won’t my 2-year-old sleep through the night?”
Because a sourdough starter is a living culture, like children of a certain age, they will definitely share some similarities. Each one will have their own unique personality and the “one size fits all approach” doesn’t always work.
Some bakers use science to explain these personality differences and others observe, follow their intuition and allow the starter to teach them. I implement both techniques.
Keep in mind, when troubleshooting your sourdough starter, it’s usually a combination of factors. In my experience, the rise time is based on temperature, ingredients, feeding frequencies, type of flour & the quantity of flour used.
Temperature
Starters love warm environments. The warmer the spot the quicker it will rise. But realistically, finding a warm spot can be challenging especially when baking in the winter. The ideal temperature is somewhere between 75-85 F.
Here are a few things you can do:
Try storing your starter in a cozy cabinet. It’s warm, draft free, and I have to say, my personal starter does really well in this snug little habitat. Experiment with a cabinet that’s near your stove for extra warmth.
Another option is to wrap the starter jar in a heating pad. One of my kombucha readers (Hi, Melanie!) suggested this tip and it’s very clever. The heating pad maintains the starter at an approximate temperature which can be adjusted to your liking.
A proofing box can also be used to control the temperature. This is the one I use, which is great for your dough too (it FOLDS FLAT!).
If you don’t have a proofing box, place your starter in the oven (turned off) with the light on. But please make sure to keep an eye on it and turn the light off, if necessary. It can get very hot in there! Another makeshift proofing box option is to use your microwave; just place the starter inside (turned off) with the light on.
Finally, try using warm water in your feedings. Around 80-90 F is a good temperature.
Note: regarding temperature, if your starter is exceptionally strong and vibrant, it will have no problem rising in warm OR cold environments, even in the fridge. My starter is a workhorse and will rise ANYWHERE. This is because it’s mature, well fed and cared for starter. Keep this in mind as you continue to develop a relationship with your personal starter.
Ingredients
A sourdough starter is made from flour and water. For best results, always use quality ingredients.
For the flour, please use something that is unbleached, unbromated, and does not contain chemicals.
Most non-organic U.S. flours, including my preferred brand King Arthur Flour, are enriched with vitamins and minerals including iron, folic acid and other vitamins. This is okay to use. I also like Trader Joe’s all-purpose flour for feedings.
However, it’s important to note that not all flours perform the same. Flour from the UK is going to have different enzyme and mineral levels than flour from the U.S., Japan, Australian etc. Even organic flours perform differently.
That’s why when troubleshooting your starter, it’s best not switch back and forth between brands at first. It’s too confusing and you won’t know where you went wrong. Stick to one brand, try to rule out additional factors that might be giving you trouble, and then make changes from there.
For the water, try using filtered or bottled water to avoid any trace chemicals or chlorine if you think it’s having a negative effect on the rise. I don’t have to do this at home, my tap is fine.
Feeding Frequencies
Ever have those days where you’re just ravenous?
Starters can be ravenous too. If at one point your starter was all bubbly and happy, and now it’s not rising anymore, it’s possible that it needs a few extra feedings to boost the yeast development. Assuming you understand how temperature and ingredients can effect the rise of your starter, try feeding it 2x per day and see what happens.
Also, if your starter has been stored in the fridge for a while, it’s going to need several feedings at room temperature to become bubbly. Have patience!
2.) What Type Of Flour Can I Feed It With?
Feed your starter with the same flour from which it’s made.
Now, let me just clarify: every baker has their own way of feeding their starter. And one method is not necessarily better than the next (just different).
To cut through the noise with reliable results, feed your starter with the same flour that’s in the jar. For example, if your starter is made with all purpose flour, feed it with all purpose flour. If it’s made with rye flour, feed it with rye flour. Easy.
By doing so, you’ll establish a consistent feeding routine and the rise time will become more predictable. Think about it this way: how would your dog feel if you fed him a different type of dry food each week? Starters are no different!
3.) How Much Flour and Water Does My Starter Need?
For a 100% hydration starter, feed it following a 1:1:1 ratio by weight.
For example, if you have 30 g of starter in the jar, feed it with 30g of flour + 30g of water. If you have 60g of starter, feed it with 60g of flour + 60g of water. Please use a kitchen scale for this! You can easily scale the initial starter quantity up or down, depending on how much you want to maintain now or in the future.
Again, every baker has a different method, but following a 1:1:1 ratio by weight will get you reliable results. Your starter will rise more predictably, and if you’re lucky, it will stay at its peak height for quite a while before it collapses.
4.) I Created a Starter Following the Instructions in Your Book… It Used to Be Bubbly, But Now Nothing’s Happening? Did I do Something Wrong? Should I Start Over?
Believe it or not, this is 100% normal.
Typically, when creating a starter from scratch, you’ll see bubbles on the surface around Day #3. When you start feeding it with flour and water on Day #4 and beyond, the bubbles may or may not appear as quickly. It makes sense to think that something’s wrong! But don’t panic.
In order to cultivate and develop the yeast within your starter, you need to feed it for several days in order to see results. The process can be unpredictable, and each person you talk to will have a different experience based on their personal situation and environment. It’s easy to get caught up and compare, doubt yourself, and think it’s not working.
So, should you start the whole process over?
No! Continue to follow the instructions in the book, but make sure to read this post a few times, including Sections 1-3 to familiarize yourself with possible troubleshooting factors. If you’re still stumped, please be patient and continue to feed your starter until it bubbles and doubles in size. Eventually, you will see results. It just takes time.
5.) What Type of Container of Jar Should I use for My Sourdough Starter?
I wrote a whole post on this. Click here.
6.) Does the Starter Jar Need To Be Airtight?
The jar or container can be airtight or covered loosely; it’s your choice.
If it’s airtight, just make sure the jar is large enough to accommodate the starter’s growth as it begins to rise (at least double in size). Otherwise it will burst through the jar.
If you choose a loose cover such as a cloth or something else that’s breathable, and a skin forms on the surface, that means too much air is getting into your starter. It’s not the end of the world if you see this. Just peel it off and/ or choose an airtight lid instead.
7.) What Is That Dark, Smelly Liquid On My Starter?
It’s called hooch which is an indication that your starter needs to be fed.
Don’t worry, it’s not dead. Just exhausted. This liquid is something you’ll see regularly, either on the surface of your starter or even within the culture itself (as pictured above), so get used to it! Because the liquid is unsightly and smells like gym socks, I pour it off with some of the discolored starter underneath and feed it right away. That’s all you have to do.
PS: hooch is not mold.
8.) What Should My Starter Smell Like?
First all all, your starter shouldn’t smell too vinegary, like gym socks, or nail polish remover. If it does, it just needs to be fed. Don’t freak out over this too much. At some point your starter will smell like this.
On the other hand, when your starter is in good shape it should smell fresh, fruity and yeasty.
So, what does that even mean?
Fresh, fruity, and yeasty aromas will vary from starter to starter. Some will smell like toasted coconuts and pineapple, others will smell like apple cinnamon. It’s actually very interesting to note all of the differences. Don’t worry if yours just smells tangy and not very “exotic.” Totally normal. The aroma all depends on what’s in the jar and how it’s cared for.
9.)What Happens If There’s Mold Growing On My Starter?
If you see mold, get rid of the entire starter!
In all my years of baking, I’ve never had a problem with mold. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you. In fact, several of you have emailed me regarding mold (oddly enough you’re all from eastern Australia. Weather issues?).
Mold can occur on the surface of the starter or on the jar itself. Its appearance can range from white and fluffy, to dark greenish brown, and even pink.
What gives?
Here’s what I know about mold: mold spores are everywhere. And it takes a perfect storm of variables (food, temperature, and water) to populate its growth. So, think about your current environment: is your starter jar near a fruit bowl (food source)? Is your current climate on the humid side (mold loves this kind of weather)? Are you using tap water (where trace chemicals and chlorine can be found)?
Because we all live in different environments it’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause. But if you can troubleshoot any of the above, it might lead you in the right direction. Consider moving your starter to a different room if you think location is part of the issue.
Paired with the variables above, mold can also occur if your starter hasn’t been fed often enough. Consider feeding it more frequently. This will keep the naturally occurring bacteria fresh and happy.
And finally: Sometimes mold can occur when something else lands in the jar. Last summer, a fly got stuck in my starter and the whole thing turned pink (not the fly, the starter). I’m not sure if the pinkish color was true mold or just a result of the unfortunate casualty. Either way, it’s something to pay attention to.
10.) How Do I Get Rid Of Fruit Flies?!
Short answer: you can’t.
When summer rolls around, get used to seeing fruit files because they LOVE sourdough starters. Love. Love. Love. It’s hard to prevent a fleet of flies swarming the jar but there’s a few things you can do.
First, make sure your starter is not near any fruit (for obvious reasons). Second, just relocate it. Sometimes, I keep mine in my bedroom and completely out of the kitchen where the main food sources reside- my husband thinks this is totally weird. Third, keep the lid on. This will not keep out the flies completely but it will help especially after you’ve moved the jar out of the kitchen.
If you have additional ideas on this one, I’m all ears! Please read the comment section below; you guys have THE BEST tips.
11.) Can My Starter Be Used With Gluten Free Flours To Make GF Bread?
Short answer: NO
Most sourdough starters are made from wheat flour and water, so therefore it contains gluten. If you want to bake gluten free sourdough you’ll need a gluten free starter. Remember that. I get many emails asking if my starter can be used to create gluten free sourdough, and it’s just not the real deal.
12.) If I Forget To Feed My Starter, Is It Going To Die?
Short answer: NO
No matter what I tell you here, the first time your starter gives you trouble, or it’s taking forever to rise, or whatever, you’re going to think it’s dead. I guarantee it. The Internet has scared people into thinking if your starter doesn’t rise instantly with a trillion bubbles on the surface, it’s completely broken and will never be usable again. EVER.
Please have a little faith. I have a starter that’s been siting in my fridge for over 1 year, unfed. I forgot it was even in there. After transferring it to a new jar, feeding it for several days in a warm spot, and just being patient, guess what?! It was still ALIVE!!! That’s all you have to do if you suspect your starter needs a little love. Starters are resilient creatures which require practice and patience.
Which brings me to my last point (hooray!)…
13.) Be Patient!
This is THE hardest tip to follow. But it’s undoubtedly the most important.
Who has patience these days when we have access to whatever we want on demand? Sourdough will teach you all about patience whether you like it or not. You can’t rush it. There are no shortcuts. No cheat sheets. Again, like parenting, eventually your 2-year-old will sleep through the night.
So, please read through these tips slowly and carefully and see what troubleshooting factors apply to your personal situation. Some days you’ll have a beautiful bubbly starter and other days it will act like a diva. And just remember: it’s usually a combination of factors that contribute to sourdough starter issues. Your starter behaves this way not to make your life miserable; it just wants you to pay attention. Take your time, feed it a million times if you have to, move it to a warmer spot, and just honor the relationship. It’s the only way you’ll learn.
My intent with this post was to include enough information to satiate your questions, without making you feel exhausted.
Believe me, this topic can go on for ages- there’s just so many scenarios. Feel free to comment below with additional thoughts and tips. Based on your feedback, I will make periodic updates to keep this post fresh and relevant! Happy baking, friends :)
Comments
Donna says
I was hoping I could get some advice. I’ve been using your starter recipe for the last 2 weeks, keeping it in a (clean) peanut butter jar with a rubber band around it and feeding it 1:1:1 daily. The smell varies a lot but it has yet to smell pleasant. Its been mostly alcohol and gymsocks so far. It also doesn’t rise more than 2 fingers over the rubber band. I’m determined to keep going but when is it safe to use for baking? I’m waiting for either a doubling in size after feeding or a more pleasant smell but there hasn’t been any improvement over the last week at all. Do I just keep going and how much longer would you estimate it takes before I can use it?
Many thanks
Falun says
Hi, i have a 6 day old starter that is fed twice a day with 2/3 cup starter, 1 cup ww flour and 1/2 cup water. I forgot to feed it one morning and it has been looser, less sticky and sweet smelling, but a very, very mild aroma. Before, it was pungent and lovely, like milk or a strong soft cheese. What could i do to save my starter?
Maxie says
On Day 2 my starter tripled in size, but the start of Day 3 I found my starter had fallen back to where it began. Being new to this, I’m perplexed. Did I do something wrong?
Emilie Raffa says
Hi there! Very normal. Whole wheat flour jumpstarts fermentation. When you switch to white flour for the feedings, the starter and yeasts need time to cultivate. You’re doing nothing wrong; just keep feeding it!
Luna says
This is a very useful and informative post…thank you
I have a seemingly happy, bubbly, rising and falling sourdough who munches on a mix of plain and wholemeal flour each day. The only issue is my bread doesn’t taste very sourdoughy. It smells good, not vinegary or too acid but fresh and fruity and my bread (I usually make flat bread) rises a treat, tastes nice and makes proper pitta pockets!
Any advice on getting a stronger sourdough taste would be very appreciated.
Luna :)
Darlene Penner says
Thanks for sharing your sourdough tips. It sounds just like my journey that started a few years ago.
I use my microwave with a cup of hot water during the bulk-rise when I fold the dough a few times over the first 2 hours and then let it rest for a couple more. I also use it after shaping it for the proofing period. I live in Calgary, AB in Canada, about 1 hour from Banff, so we are high altitude and our climate in Calgary is very dry all year round. I tend to use more water for my starter and dough, and less flour. The 1:1:1 ratio of feeding doesn’t work here if I want a higher hydration starter. I go by how it looks and feels, since that is the way I have baked my yeast bread for almost 40 years. My starter is usually like a thick pancake batter, but sometimes a bit thinner as I get lazy and don’t weigh it when I feed it :) And in our dry climate, I have never had mold grow on it. I do have to be careful to put it in the fridge in summer on hot days.
I like your analogy to taking care of a child. If you don’t feed them, they get cranky. Even as adults, we can get cranky if we dont eat :)
If anyone is interested in my baking blog, you can find it at lesstalkmorebake.wordpress.com
Darlene
Pamela says
This is my second attempt at making a sourdough starter from scratch with no success. I am on day 10 and it has not risen. I transferred it to a clean jar so I would easily see streaks if it had risen and fallen. No such luck. There are some bubbles on the surface and the texture is like pancake batter. I have been keeping the jar in the oven turning on the light periodically to keep it warm. It is winter in Toronto. I don’t think it’s a problem with the flour because I used the same flour with an old starter and it would rise beautifully. Unfortunately mild started to grow in the jar of old starter so I threw it out thinking it would be easy enough to grow a new starter. Foolish me! I should have saved some of the old starter. Any suggestions on what to do with the new starter?
Should I continue feeding it once a day discarding half the starter and adding 60 g all purpose flour + 60 g water? Or should I use the 1:1:1 ratio?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. It has now been a month since I have made sourdough bread and my family really misses it. Thanks in advance for your help.
Caterina says
Help! For the past 3 feeds I fed my sourdough with self rising flour (I did not notice it in the box! Silly me!) what can I do to “save” my sourdough?
Rebecca says
Thank you for the tips! I was sent a sourdough starter from my brother in law in the post a week ago. I have been experimenting with feeds since to see what works best but my starter only rises by 50% and does not double. I’ve tried 1:1:1 and 1:2:2 feeds, feeding once or twice a day. Since using filtered water and 50:50 white:wholemeal flour it’s improved but still not getting to double before it deflates. It is full of bubbles and did float when I tested last night. Do I just try making a loaf of bread to see if it’s viable?
Also, on the fruit flies…my mum covers a jar of apple cider vinegar with cling film with small holes poked in the top and keeps it next to the fruit. They flies go into the jar instead of the fruit xx
Rhonda says
Good morning from Oregon. I love this post. 2-18-21
I am on my 1st starter. It got the liquid on top at the beginning. Im On day 10 and has not risen. few bubbles that all. smells fine. I feed every morning. I am going to close the jar tight to see if that makes a difference as it is loosely covered.
Can I add a small amount of wheat flour to the AP flour when i feed to help it grow? Or am I being too impatient? lol
Thanks again Rhonda
William H Ruland says
Emilie,
I’ve been using your recipe for everyday sourdough. My starter doesn’t seem to want to double in size regardless of time and temperature. When I baked a loaf with what I thought was a bubbly starter, I got a loaf that was dense but had a large air pocket at the top of the loaf that collapsed when it cooled. What am I doing wrong?
Michael Babb says
Ok, I’m almost at 2 weeks. My starter double when it hits peak rise but it smells like whisky or moonshine whith a hint or biscuit dough. And it’s watery when it falls. Is this ready to go? I’ve read everything over and over and I can’t really figure out if it is. Also, how do I use this in my bread maker. I didn’t think about it before I started making the starter. Sorry.
Dan Lorenz says
I am using Gluten-Free starter and after 10 days it rises regularly with feedings, but about 1.5X, not 2X in size. At the crest it still does not float when using that test. Will the Gluten-Free starter float like regular starter? Is it ready?
Emilie Raffa says
Dan, it depends on the recipe your following, the type of flour used and other variables specific to GF baking. It may or may not behave in the same fashion as a sourdough starter made with wheat flour. In fact, the float test may not even apply. The good news, is that it’s rising to at least 1.5x in size which indicates fermentation and activity. What do the instructions say for readiness?
Kevin says
This site and your content is fantastic! Thanks! I am trying to be patient with my starter, but am worried something went wrong. I am using KA all purpose flour with RO filtered water (slightly warmed) and everything went as you described up until day 5/6, when the starter lost any bubbles and smell. I have been using a scale to measure the feedings and I am on day 8 and it is basically pancake batter with no odor. It was fragrant and changing and some bubble with hooch. Our house is a bit cooler than most (mid-60s) so I have been trying to keep it warm by putting near the toaster oven, wrapped in a towel. Should I keep waiting? Anything I should try? At what point to I give up and start over? Thank you in advance for your help!
Jason says
Hello again. I just wanted to follow up that I opened the jar and it deflated pretty rapidly. The smell was very good, so I did the float test an dit passed so I decided to try and use it to make sourdough focaccia bread. I took the starter and decided to feed it again as there was only about 4 oz left of it after using 100g for the focaccia bread. In a few hours its more than double. It looks like its going to keep rising again and maybe overflow out of the jar again. To rise that high it has to increase what looks like 4x its size as there is plenty of room for it to double. Most of what I read the starter doubles in a few hours 4-8 when its ready to be used. I haven’t read where the starter goes crazy and increases 4x its size. Is this within the normal range or is there something happening that I need to adjust or tweak? Thanks!
Jason says
thank you for the post. I am on day 8. After a few days it was bubbly and looked like it rose just slightly. It formed the liquid (hooch) on the top and I fed it. The next few days I was feeding it once/day in the mornings. It didn’t look like it rose at all as I had marked the jar and saw no fall streaks. I thought I should be seeing this at this point, so I decided to move the location to the top of the fridge. The previous location was in front of a window with some direct sunlight and apparently that is not what it likes. When I woke up it had risen to the top and started coming out the sides. This rise was not just double, but maybe 5-6x the original height. I think its a good sign it rose this much, but not sure and should I just wait until it falls and then feed it again and can I use this for during peak heigh to make bread?
Thanks again for the post!
Demetra Hagen says
Hello! This was so helpful! I do have a question about the flour though…I have a really beautiful starter that I’ve been growing for about a week, it’s rising perfectly, lots of bubbles. My only issue is the smell. I can’t describe it exactly it’s just not GOOD..I realized today (day 7) that I’ve been using the wrong flour to feed it with and I’m kicking myself! I meant to use a high quality unbleached apf, but kept grabbing my BLEACHED apf. Moving forward, can I switch to my higher quality flour to feed or should I toss and start over?
Appreciate you!
Chris says
My starter is active, and bubbles reliably, but has never risen. I am using unbleached, all purpose, King Arthur flour, and filtered water. I usually warm the water to around 85 degrees for the feedings. I am using a 1:1:1 ratio, with 60 grams of starter, 60 grams of water, and 60 grams of flour. I always make sure to use a clean spoon to mix everything. My starter is about 3 weeks old now. I have tried 1 feeding a day and two feedings a day, but have seen no difference with either one. I have the starter in a glass jar with a lid that has a rubber gasket on it, and seals with a metal clasp. I usually keep the lid open and cover the opening with a wet paper towel so that the starter can breathe. I have tried leaving the lid closed overnight, but that didn’t make any difference either. A couple of hours after each feeding the starter gets nice and bubbly, but has never risen even a millimeter beyond where it was before. I am starting to get worried and frustrated. Any ideas?
Emilie Raffa says
Chris, it’s tough to say without seeing a picture because a bubbly starter usually coincides with one that rises. Can we rule out if it has risen at some point? But by the time you got to it, it has collapsed?
As a remedy for now- stick with 1 feeding/ day, switch to bread flour (enzymes are a bit higher- KAF brand is fine), continue to use warm water, and let it sit in a warm water bath. The bread flour will make the texture a little thicker, which is ok. Place a rubber band around the base of the jar to mark its growth.
DEBRA GADSDEN says
Hi Emilie
Very readable and understandable post. I have a great starter (Fred) myself who is several years old, but decided to read your article for any new tips! Definitely got a few.
My kitchen is not usually very warm as my family is continually coming and going through the back doors a lot (open plan) so I keep Fred on top of my hot water tank on top of a folded tea towel. He loves it in there and performs beautifully! My ovens with the light on do get too warm for him. I’ve even had to do my bulk fermentation in front of the woodstove!
We live on the West Coast of British Columbia so we get some cold breezes from their comings and goings. When I don’t plan to bake for a while I keep Fred in the fridge as you mentioned.
Thank you for your interesting post.
Debra
Cameron Binder says
Hello! This process has been so fun:) Thanks for all of your comments and tips- it has made the process so easy! I am on day 5 of my starter and yesterday and today it seems quite watery compared to the first few days. I have been using a scale when adding the flour and water so it’s been pretty precise. Perhaps I should be adding a bit more flour? Or will it naturally thicken up to that marshmallowy consistency the longer I wait. Thanks!
Kathryn says
Hi! I’m currently on day 7 of my starter – this is my second starter, I made one in April and sadly left it in the fridge to long and it grew mold :( I’m starting a new one and now this time around it’s January so its pretty cold, there’s just not a ton of humidity or warmth in my home. My starter smells as it should and is very bubbly, it just won’t rise…. I’ve tried putting it all over my home and in any warm place I could, and I’m still having a lot of trouble. I’ve been feeding it twice a day 1:1:1 ratios. Thanks for any help!!!!
jill says
Hey Kathryn, this is a solidarity post. I am on day 10 of mine, also feeding twice a day at 1:1:1 ratio. I am attributing its reluctance to rise to the cold temperatures we’re experiencing at the moment and I’m just trying to persevere with patience. A moment of empathy with my starter hit me this morning when I really struggled to get out of bed, the air in the room around me was so cold and my bed was nice and toasty, I just didn’t want to get up :D
Have you had any joy since you posted?
Andrea says
I came here for this too! A friend gave me a starter out of the fridge that she said just needed a feed before use. It gets nice and bubbly and has that marshmallow-like consistency before I go to feed it, but oddly enough it hasn’t budged an inch after 3 days and 6 feeds. My starter and I live rather north in Canada, but I have it parked beside a small heat register that is always on, and the jars don’t seem to have any chill on them. I’m impressed with the bubbles and consistency and so a bit confused why it doesn’t seem to want to rise.
Jamie says
I too came here for this issue. Our home in NE Connecticut is a comfy 68 degrees for us, but apparently the starter my friend gave me feels much differently despite the warm corner I keep her in. She stopped rising despite trying a few things including keeping her in the oven with the light on. I have beautiful bubbles, texture & smell – sadly no rise…
Since misery/confusion/concern loves company, I would like to join the table of patiently & hopeful waiting. 😊
Ruchita says
Hi!
I’m following the exact recipe for sourdough starter that is laid out in your book. I’m on Day 12 and my starter just wont rise. I did read the entire post but it is so frustrating. I tried skipping a day to see if would double in size. I did see that liquidy texture but when I changed my container it stopped creating that hooch too! Should I start again? I also tried using warm water.. I used whole wheat flour on day 1 and I’m feeding my starter with AP flour (unbleached). Should I feed my starter 2X/day? Thank you!
Whitney says
Hi! I have just started a new sourdough starter and I did the float test a couple of days ago and it floated. I went to see if it would float today to start my first round of sourdough and it’s no longer floating. Is there a reason for this?
Emilie Raffa says
Hi there! Your starter needs to be active prior to doing the float test. This means in needs to be fed first. So, while your starter passed the float test the other day (yay!), it won’t pass again now unless it’s been fed, and is bubbly, active and double in size. Starters need to be fed every time before using to make bread dough.
Isabel says
This was immensely helpful! I’m on day 4 on my starter and it wasn’t doing much which I found out is normal. But I’ve also been leaving it in particularly warm spots (towel-covered radiator, behind my TV etc) and have discovered this might lead it it requiring more frequent feedings. It’s SO daunting how much information there is on creating a starter but I’m just going to stick to this as a troubleshooter and try not to overthink!
Emilie Raffa says
Isabel, there is a TON of info out there. And the thing is, those who are new to the process don’t realize that sourdough is like a web (each step is connected). So when you make changes, or combine different methods from different bakers, it’s totally hit or miss. I always tell people, find a baker & method that resonates with you and practice it a hundred times. When you understand more, then expand your horizons.
And also: yes, the warmer the location the faster your starter will rise and fall. It’s all about observation and finding balance :)
Sophie says
Hello Isabel, I don’t know if you’ll see this, but I’m just curious how your starter is looking now 4 days later? I am on day 4 of my starter and I can’t really see any change and I was thinking maybe my apartment is too cold. Anywho I’m probably just worrying too much, I’m just so excited to start, so I was just wondering how your started is looking now? Anywho thank you, cheers from Canada :) Happy holidays!
Donna Pennington says
I didn’t see an answer to this comment but I am doing this also with 1/2c starter and the 120g of water and flour.
My starter is very thick. After reading your page I think I know what I’ve done wrong. But let’s see. I thick it’s thick like dough because I wasn’t measuring right. I was pulling 1/2 cup of starter and adding 120g of flour & 120g water. Should I be using 120g of starter? Is that why my starter is so thick? It stays thick even at room temperature.
Margret says
Hi Emelie,
I have baked many loaves of your Everyday Sourdough and other loaves from your wonderful book, but, I am frustrated that while I’ve coaxed my starter through sluggish periods so that now it does double reliably (I had to finally change to 100% whole wheat flour), my dough does not come close to rising as much as it should. I feel like I’m following the book to the tee. Last night I made the Farmhouse Sandwich bread and it did not come close to rising even to the top edge of the pan. It tastes amazing, but it is height-challenged. Do you have any suggestions or reading I can do to correct this? I’m “this close” to caving and adding commercial yeast. Please save me from this fate. ;)
Mary-Joy O'Reilly says
Hi. I’ve a Newbie to sourdough baking and have been having fun baking using your recipes from your book with good success. I thought I’d take a second step and use whole grain all purpose flour from a small mill. My Starter has been quite active but it does not rise much with the new flour after 3 daily feeds of 1:1:1. I would appreciate any suggestions that you can give me.
Thank you,
MJ
Emma Mack says
Hi! I’m new at this and wanted something to do over the holidays, this is my first starter. I followed the days 1 & 2 instructions, but today (day 4), after I fed it, it was 172g instead of 210g. I added approx. 15g of water and flour to try to increase the amount, but I wanted to know if this was a mistake.
Also, while I’m still feeding it (before I switch to the 1:1:1 ratio), is 60g of both flour and water the method I should use?
Thanks in advance!
Emilie Raffa says
Hi Emma!
It’s ok if the starter weight is not exact on a certain day. There are many variables that could have caused this- all normal. What you did is fine!
For ongoing feedings, it’s the 1:1:1 method you should follow. The flour + water quantity by weight won’t necessarily be 60 g, respectively. Most bakers match the flour and water quantity to the starter amount. So, if you had 40 g of starter, you’d feed it with 40 g of flour + 40 g of water. If you had 80 g of starter, you’d feed it with 80 g flour + 80 g water. Make sense?
Hope this helps!
Panda says
Hi. So I’m on day 2 and just 6 six hours after feeding, my starter is already double in size. I wonder if I should get rid some of it? If I do that, should I feed it again or just leave it as is? Or should I just divide it into two separate container?
Emilie Raffa says
Hi there! For best results, I would continue to feed it per the directions in the recipe. Although it doubled in size on Day 2, it’s not ready or strong enough to use yet.
Russ F says
Hi Emily, if I am using 3 cups of all purpose or bread flour in a recipe, how many g of sourdough starter should I used. Usually I would add active dry yeast about 8g.
By the way, as I adujusted the ratio of water to flour from time to time, it is not 100% hydration? Should we take into consideration of this for how much starter to add to the flour and about 325ml water?
Thanks.
Russ.
Emilie Raffa says
Hi Russ! To confirm your recipe (in grams) is it about 375 g flour + 325 g water? Thanks!
Russ F says
Hi Emilie, thank you for your reply. Yes I usually measure the flour with a measuring beaker for 3 cups. I would say in gram, it would be around 375g bread flour with 325g / ml of warm water. So, I am not sure how many grams of starter I should be adding. And in additional, when I was creating my starter, I varied the ratio of water to flour judging by the texture like you mention (So it may not be a 100% baker ratio). Does this also determine the amount I should use to add to the flour for a good rise? Hope to get it right. My starter is active and I place it in my fridge and reacticate it once a week but discarding less than hald the amount and adding about 60g flour and 60g water now. It usually rise to 3 times the amount in 3.5 hours. Question: If this is repeated, will it also gradually made the starter to return to 100% hydration starter eventually?
Thank you. :)
Emilie Raffa says
Perfect, thanks for the info.
Bakers typically use 10-20% starter in their formulas. However, I wouldn’t go by percentage only. You have to examine the following 3 factors as well:
1.) Hydration of the dough
2.) Hydration of the starter
3.) The style rise you want (long vs. short).
In your case, without the starter, you’ll looking at an 86% hydration dough. This is a wet dough. If you swap bread flour for ap, it will be wetter. And if you use too much starter, it will be even wetter.
Based on your recipe, if you don’t want to change the original flour and water quantities, I’d use 50 g of starter paired with a long, overnight rise (8-12 hrs) @ 68 F. This will push you to 87.5% dough hydration. If the dough feels wetter than usual when you mix it, just add more flour.
And finally: if your starter is not exactly 100% hydration it’s ok. Judging by texture is perfectly fine. Too thick? Add more water. Too thin? Add more flour. So, while the hydration % of your starter does effect the texture of the dough, I wouldn’t get too caught up in the numbers. What you’re doing with your starter sounds fine.
Hope I’ve answered your question. A bit long winded, I know ;)
Russell Fong says
Hi Emile, Happy Holidays and thank you for your long reply.
I have some questions:
1.) Hydration of the dough (How so I know this?)
2.) Hydration of the starter (Not sure what is the hydration as I am not having a 1:1 ratio starter.
3.) The style rise you want (long vs. short). – Meaning?
4. How did you derived that I would be working with a 86% Hydration dough?
Thank you. And yes, do write as long and simple :)
Russ F.
Emilie Raffa says
Hi Russ! Please see my answers below:
1.) Dough hydration refers to the ratio of water to flour by weight.
To find the hydration, divide the water weight by the flour weight. For example, 350 g water & 500 g flour would give you a dough hydration of 70%. Some bakers include the sourdough starter in their calculations as well.
2.) Sourdough starter hydration follows the same principle (ratio of water to flour by weight). Since you’re feeding it following a 1:1 ratio it’s a 100% hydration starter. This is the most common type of starter in sourdough baking.
3.) All sourdough recipes are different. Rise times connect to the baker’s formula. For example, 50 g of starter works well with a long overnight rise at cooler temperatures, whereas 150 g of starter will rise the dough faster in warmer temperatures.
4.) Your dough hydration was calculated by dividing 325 g water by 375 g flour.
Moving forward, I would use the following formula for your recipe:
375 g bread flour
280 g water
50 g starter
See how the dough feels; if you want to add more water increase it in 15 g increments during the mixing stage.
Hope this helps!
Joslyn Lowy says
Hi! I am following your recipe and here I see it calls for 1:1 ratio of flour and water but in your sour dough starter recipe it initially starts with 1/2c flour and 1/4c water, I followed that and my initial consistency is very doughy. Should I start over with a 1:1 ratio?
Emilie Raffa says
Hi there! The ratio for the starter recipe is different. Once it’s up and running, we switch to the 1:1:1 ratio by weight. If you find that the texture is way too thick, just add a splash of water. No need to starter over. Additionally: the ratio is by weight not volume (i.e. not 1/2 cup to 1/2 cup etc).
Tim says
Emilie
Thanks so much for this website and the book. I got a starter going back in April and the family have loved the different breads and treats like the spinach and artichoke dip braid. It’s been a great outlet through lockdowns! In the last couple of weeks, my starter has stopped rising in its normal predictable fashion: it normally doubles in about 5 – 6 hours, but is now taking twice that. I haven’t changed anything, except moving it to a new jar and we’re moving into summer in Melbourne, which I thought would speed things up, rather than the opposite. Do you have any ideas what might be happening?
Thanks
Emilie Raffa says
Hi Tim! So wonderful to hear! Regarding your starter: can you provide your exact feeding method? Feeding ratios, brand/type of flour, tap or filtered water, where you store it, and how often it’s fed. Thanks!
Tim says
Emilie
I normally bake around 4 times a week, with the starter kept in the fridge when I’m not planning to use it. The day before baking I take it out in the morning, feed it around 1pm and leave on the counter: it’s normally doubled by 7pm. If I’m baking two days in a row, the starter stays on the counter and I feed again in the middle of the next day. For the first month or two, I followed your 1:1:1 ratio, but the starter has been pretty tolerant and I now don’t follow your measurements exactly. I normally have around 100g of starter, which I feed with 50g of bread flour (Ben Furney Special White ’00’ 11.5% protein) and 50g of warm tap water. If I’m planning to bake bagels and a loaf, I’ll start with approx 150g of starter and add 60g each of flour and water.
Yesterday, I tried going back to 1:1:1 and the starter still took around 12 hours to double, although I tried a float test and it floated after 6 hours even though it hadn’t doubled……
I suspect I’m getting payback for not following instructions, but would welcome any advice. Also, if the starter floats, is it ok to use at that point, rather than waiting for it to double?
Thanks again
Emilie Raffa says
This information is perfect, Tim. So two things-
1.) First, it sounds like your starter needs more food. I’d suggest going back to the 1:1:1 feeding ratio. Do this for a while, and once your starter becomes more predictable, you can always scale back afterwards. It might take up to a week or more for your starter to get used to the new feeding quantity. Be patient.
2.) Now that the weather is warmer, the texture of your starter might become more thin and liquid. I’d scale back on the water (slightly) to compensate. You’ll have better luck with a slightly thicker starter in the summer. It will stay at peak height for longer.
Regarding the float test- it’s really tough to say. Usually, an active starter that has doubled in size goes hand in hand with passing the float test. It’s possible that you did the test just as it started to fall, but it was still active. I’d have to see a picture :)
Hopefully this helps a bit.
Tim says
Great. Thanks for the advice.
Jasmin says
Hi
The ‘long and sort’ rise section is how long you leave the whole bread mix i.e. flour, water and starter as a dough to rise before baking it. Some recipes are a fast rise so usually need more starter to give a rise- a slower rise can be overnight, 24 hours or even longer! These slower rises in theory will need less starter As the whole dough mix feeds the starter. Individual recipes will suggest the rising time- although you may need to adjust that for your own environment. Different rises after or slower, require different sloppiness ie hydration in the dough. Is more or less water overall compared to flour.
Suzanne says
Thank you so much! My starter wasn’t rising but getting lots of bubbles every day. I decreased the feed the next 2 days, and it rose perfectly both days now. Trying my first loaf with this starter today.
Nora says
Hi! So I had my husband read off this to me while I started my starter for the first time. He read the oven light tip but forgot to mention that it can get too hot in there. I kept my starter (about 5 days old now) in the oven with the light on overnight and now it smells like old cheap pungent wine. Kinda like rotten grapes. Is this alright? Or should I scrap and restart? Thank you so much!
Stephanie Anderson says
My last couple of attempts at sourdough baking have been not great although the bread tastes great it lakes softness inside and the loaf is dense. After the overnight proofing was dough is sticky and collapsed even leaving in the warm the next day it does not revive. What am I doing wrong ? Thank you
Emilie Raffa says
Hi there! I’d have to know the exact recipe and method you’re following to properly troubleshoot. Additionally, if you’ve made any changes to the original recipe (i.e. flour substitutions etc) please let me know. Thanks!
Angiea says
My starter is very thick. After reading your page I think I know what I’ve done wrong. But let’s see. I thick it’s thick like dough because I wasn’t measuring right. I was pulling 1/2 cup of starter and adding 120g of flour & 120g water. Should I be using 120g of starter? Is that why my starter is so thick? It stays thick even at room temperature.
Leonie Ruffin says
I am onto my second rise and very little seems to be happening after 1 hr ?
Emilie Raffa says
Hi there! Are you referring to dough? Or your starter?
Sue says
I love your recipe! Ive been following for almost a week now. My starter was doing great and doubling and even tripling a couple of days ago. This morning when I woke up it hasnt budged, but it does have bubbles in it. It is the texture of smores marshmallows and smells soury but good. I thought it was doing really well, but now Im discouraged! I tried feeding it this morning and it is now afternoon and it hasnt budged again but there are bubbles. Im thinking I will feed it again later and maybe that will perk it up. Ive also been putting the jar in a bowl of warm water and that seems to be helping create a warmer environment. Any other tips as to what else I could do. Thanks!!
Nancy Gandelman says
Hi, how long approximately is starter at its peak? In other words, how long to I have before it deflates? Thanks!
I can not find this answer anywhere! LOVE your website!
Nancy
Juan lara says
Hi I have just started a starter a few weeks ago and it doesn’t seem like it’s working. It bubbles and stuff but not much. I like making just wheat bread cuz I read somewhere that this is the healthiest of flour for your stomach rather than bread flour or any other. I also add in a bunch of different nuts and some raisins. Well my bread comes out like a rock lol. I leave it out for 5 of 6 hours to rise and I don’t think it is. Is t the nuts? Is it cuz there’s no bread flour? Or white flour? Is all wheat flour hard to rise without yeast? I feed my starter the days before. Like 24 to 28 hours before. Do I use it after I freshly feed it?
Nancy Gandelman says
Hi! Love your website. I have a question about starter. You write,
Deborah says
Hi Emilie,
I’ve been using your online tips and your book for several months now, and have had mostly wonderful results. Thank you! I keep my starter in the fridge. Once a week I halve it, feed both halves, and return original to fridge. I use the other half for my baking. Question: will it work to keep the baking half on the counter for a day or two and to feed it once or twice more to get a second bake out of it?
Thanks!
Emilie Raffa says
Absolutely! I do this all the time :)
Bill says
Living in Ireland. I’ve recently tried to cultivate a starter using rye flour followed by strong white flour for the feedings. All goes well for the first three or four days then – nothing! I was using the hot press to for a warm environment because our house temperature is usually in the low to mid 60s. The temperature in the hot press varies as the hot water cylinder is only heated early in the morning and a short burst in the evening. Can I just leave it in the kitchen and will it still work but just take longer?
Emilie Raffa says
Yes. Time, temperature and patience is key. You can just leave it in the kitchen and wait.
Here’s a tip that might help- Lately, when it’s really cold here, I’ve been submerging my starter jar in a hot water bath (the surface of the jar is not underwater, obviously). This really helps to give my starter a much needed boost.
Bill says
Thank you very much for the advice. I’ll try again with a new batch.
Bill says
I took your advice and did one more thing. I decreased the water in the last feeding as my starter was too liquid. I doubt it was much of a factor in the result but leaving it alone after five or six days of feeding it finally started to rise two days later and now, nearly three days after the latest feed it is nearly doubled in volume. I won’t feed it again until it peaks. I guess it just takes a LOT more time when it’s as cool as it is in our kitchen! Thanks again for the help.
Emilie Raffa says
Bill, this is great. Decreasing the water (or adding more flour) does help; thicker starters stay at peak height for longer. But yes, finding a warm spot is key as cold weather slows everything down.
Claire says
HELP PLEASE! My starter rose the first day or two – then stopped. And the consistency was really watery. I’m confused about feedings day 3+. Is the idea that every time I feed I throw out half, and then if what’s left is, for example, 172g starter, I’ll add 172g flour and 172g water? So, so I throw out half and then add the same amount of water and flour as whatever amount of starter is remaining? I see bubbles on the top – but it hasn’t risen in days. I’ve started feeding twice a day.