Easy Sourdough Starter Guide: Just Flour & Water!, by Natashas Kitchen on YouTube. 8 min 3 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 3 s
- Time to do it
- 7 days, about 5 minutes a day
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Weigh equal amounts of flour and water into your jar. A common starting point is 50 g of each, which gives a thick, paste-like mix.
Stir until no dry flour remains, scrape down the sides, and cover the jar loosely so air can escape.
Leave the jar at room temperature for 24 hours. Check it on days 2 and 3 for bubbles and a slightly sour smell.
On day 3, do your first feeding. Remove half the starter, then stir in 50 g flour and 50 g water.
From days 4 to 6, feed once a day. Discard half, add 50 g flour and 50 g water, and stir well.
Watch for the starter doubling in size a few hours after feeding. That rise is the sign it is active.
By day 7, if it doubles reliably within 4 to 8 hours of feeding, it is ready to bake with.
Store the starter in the fridge between bakes and feed it once a week to keep it alive.
Tips and common mistakes
Use filtered water if your tap water is heavily chlorinated, since chlorine can slow fermentation.
Keep the jar somewhere warm, around 70 to 75 F, and out of direct sunlight.
A dark liquid on top is normal hooch. Pour it off or stir it in before feeding.
Weigh your flour and water instead of using cups for consistent results.
Questions
How do I know my starter has gone bad?
Pink, orange or fuzzy growth means mold, so throw it out and start again. A dark liquid layer or a strong sour smell is normal.
Can I use the starter before day 7?
Only if it doubles in size a few hours after feeding. An early starter may not have enough strength to raise bread.
Do I have to discard starter every time I feed it?
Yes, discarding keeps the amount manageable and keeps the yeast healthy. You can save the discard in the fridge for pancakes and other recipes.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
