| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 08:26:36 AM
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!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 11 2010 : 7:14:10 PM
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. |
| Alee |
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.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 10 2010 : 4:01:07 PM
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. |
| quiltin mama |
Posted - Aug 10 2010 : 09:43:07 AM
I just use the water from my tap so I'd say it's "cool."
my blog www.mountainhomequilts.blogspot.com
handmade quilts on etsy www.mountainhomequilts.etsy.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 09 2010 : 6:02:33 PM
I am starting over again. I will NOT give up. I am determined to have a good mother.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 08:39:17 AM
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.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| quiltin mama |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 08:28:01 AM
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!
my blog www.mountainhomequilts.blogspot.com
handmade quilts on etsy www.mountainhomequilts.etsy.com |
| sherrye |
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
|
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 08 2010 : 06:55:41 AM
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.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 9:24:43 PM
Well water will kill it to. I had my best luck with no damp cloth just a tupperware with a lid not closed tight.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 6:45:31 PM
Do you have hard water? I found out that is why I was always having problems getting mine started.
Lillian |
