How to Make AND Feed a Sourdough Starter (Works Every Time), by Keep it Sweet Kitchen on YouTube. 19 min 15 s.
- Video length
- 19 min 15 s
- Time to do it
- 10 days, about 5 minutes a day
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Mix 50 g flour with 50 g water in your jar until no dry flour remains. Scrape down the sides so the mixture sits level.
Cover the jar loosely so air can escape and leave it at room temperature, around 21 to 24 C.
On day 2, pour or scoop out half the starter and throw it away. This keeps the jar from overflowing.
Feed the remaining starter with 50 g flour and 50 g water and stir well. Repeat this discard and feed once a day.
Expect a strange stage around day 3, with a sharp smell or a burst of bubbles that then slows down. Keep feeding daily and do not panic.
For days 4 to 6, keep discarding and feeding once a day. If the starter seems sluggish, feed twice a day instead.
From day 7, watch for the starter doubling in size within 4 to 8 hours of a feed. That rise is the sign it is getting strong.
Test readiness by feeding it and checking that it doubles and peaks, then falls slightly, within about 6 hours. A mild, tangy smell and lots of bubbles confirm it.
Use the starter at its peak to bake bread, or store it in the fridge and feed it once a week.
Tips and common mistakes
Use the same flour and water amounts each feed so the starter stays consistent.
Weigh your flour and water with a scale instead of using cups for reliable results.
A dark liquid on top is normal hunger, not spoilage. Stir it in or pour it off and feed more often.
Keep the jar away from cold drafts and direct heat, which slow down or kill the yeast.
Questions
Can I use a metal spoon or bowl?
Yes, stainless steel is fine for mixing and storing. Just avoid leaving the starter in reactive metal for long periods.
Why did my starter stop bubbling after day 3?
This is a normal lull as the yeast population shifts. Keep discarding and feeding daily and it usually picks up again within a few days.
How do I store the starter if I do not bake often?
Keep it in the fridge and feed it once a week. Let it warm up and feed it a day or two before you plan to bake.
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.
