I started a new batch of sourdough starter Wed. this week. The first 3 days it's looking good and nice and bubbly. But it does not smell good. So yesterday I check it and it's gray with grayish water on top and no bubbles. I stirred it up and nothing. This morning it's the same. I went ahead and poured off the liquid and added 1/3 cup of flour and stirred real good. I hace a damp cloth over the top ina ceramic bowl.
What is wrong with me? Why can't I get it going? I have it sitting on the counter in the kitchen right near my kambucha jugs and kefir. I keep the thermostat at 77. HELP!
I was using filtered water. And I had just read that it should be several feet away from other fermenting things. SO I will try again and put it across the room on the other counter with a dry cloth. I don't have lids that will fit this bowl.
Thanks ya'll. It's just so frustrating. I might try the wild grape yeast that I saw someone talking about before.
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 08:05:17 AM
kris not sure if this is it. but are you using bromated flour. it will not grow. just a thought the flour starter will turn grey if its not pure organic non bromated/ happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm farm girl #1014
Here's my experience: I use well water, it works just fine- from our well at least. I use organic flour but not all organic flours are created equal- Bob's Red Mill organic killed my starter. For the first week or so I need to really baby my starter to get it going. I feed 2x per day with 2tb flour to 1tb water. Once it really gets going then I cut back to feeding 1x per day. The liquid you're getting at the top is called hooch and all it means is that you need to feed your starter more- it's starving. Just stir it back in and continue feeding. :) Hope that helps!
I am using King arthur but not organic. I am going to start some more. I think I had read about maybe needing to feed it a couple times a day. I did stir it a few times one day.
Also does it matter if the water is cold> Or should it be more room temp? I put mine in the fridge in the filtered jug so it's cold. I am leaving some on the counter to get a little warmer.
I am not going to give up yet. I do think it's too warm in my kitchen. I might need to move it to the dining room.
Thanks for the help ya,ll. Of, the flour in unbleached too.
Thanks Heather. I just added more flour and water. It's looking good so far. If I see it just sitting there doing nothing I will add more flour. I have moved the new starter to the other counter away from the kambucha. So maybe this will help.
Kris
Happiness is simple.
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts
Posted - Aug 10 2010 : 8:20:01 PM
I like using warm water- remember you are trying to grow yeast albeit wild yeast and they like warmer temperatures to grow. Also if you can place it by an open window to let a breeze blow over it- that can help "capture" some wild yeast as well.
It's the 4th day and it was just sitting there again this morning. No bubbles. So I fed it just flour. It was a little runny. It perked up. I fed it again this afternoon and I see bubbles now. I sure hope it works.
Kris
Happiness is simple.
Farm Kitchen: Argh! Why can't I get my sourdough to start?
Argh! Why can't I get my sourdough to start?
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 08:26:36 AM
