My sourdough starter died for the third time this year.

I guess my house just isn't meant for living dough cultures.

3 comments

3 Comments

Three failed starters in a row points to something in your environment. Maybe your kitchen is too cold or drafty. I had a friend in Portland whose starter only worked after she moved it to the top of the fridge. Tiny changes in temperature or water quality can throw off the whole balance. You might need to experiment with different spots in your house. It's frustrating, but once you find the sweet spot, it becomes way easier.

marybaker24d ago

Actually read a whole article about this last week. The writer said most people give up too fast because they expect bubbles in three days. Sometimes a starter just needs a full week of quiet feeding before it wakes up. That fridge top trick works because it's consistently a bit warmer up there, away from drafts. Might be worth just picking one spot and sticking with it for ten days straight.

lindamartin1mo agoTop Commenter

Totally agree about the environment thing. I had to keep mine in a closet for a week before it finally took off.