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30 Comments

  1. Patsy
    April 1, 2024 @ 1:49 pm

    I used to make sour dough bread frequently. Ready to start again. Your article was inspiring!
    Thank loads- or is it ‘Thanks loafs’?

    Reply

    • Kate
      April 1, 2024 @ 2:45 pm

      It’s hard to go back to any other kind of bread once you’ve started with sourdough! Thanks “loafs” for reading, Patsy! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Kristina
    April 3, 2024 @ 4:20 pm

    I really appreciate your site, Im trying to make a sourdough starter and I have tried two other times from a recipe I found in a book and both of those times were no good the first one smelled terrible and when I tried to use it to make bread ir came out like a rock and never doubled or even grew. The next attempt the starter seemed better but the bread dough again did not grow and was extremely dry. I have made MANY regular bread loaves, and I am determined not to let this sourdough experience beat me HAHA. Any tips you have are greatly appreciated as well as a good bread recipe and when to do the stretch and fold I keep hearing so much about because that book also did not have anything to do with thought.

    Side note today is day three of trying to make your starter… after the discard and re feed it did not grow again is this normal and it should grow again after I feed today ? Also how long to you think is best to wait between feedings?

    Reply

    • GiGi
      May 25, 2024 @ 10:15 am

      Where can I find your answers to posted questions? I’m new to the sourdough baking world, so all info is helpful.
      Thank you 🙂

      Reply

    • Kate
      September 29, 2024 @ 4:33 pm

      I love that you haven’t given up in your sourdough adventures! It takes some patience to get it figured out. 🙂 I wait about 24 hours between feedings. My starters don’t usually grow significantly until day 4 or so. If your kitchen air temperature is cooler, or if you feed it with cold water, that can slow down growth (but not stop it).

      Reply

  3. Cp
    April 23, 2024 @ 5:48 pm

    Sorry the details on first feeding and the second day are not clear to me. Do you start discarding on the same day as the first feeding? Is the first feeding and the second day the same day?

    Reply

    • Kate
      September 29, 2024 @ 4:27 pm

      You would start discarding on the second feeding. I typically do 24 hours between each feeding, so no, the first and second feedings would not be on the same day.

      Reply

  4. Amy
    May 20, 2024 @ 8:31 pm

    I accidentally misread the instructions and I discarded half of my starter before I did my first feeding. Then I added 60g of flour and water. Did I ruin the starter? It actually doubled in size in 3 hours, so it seems like it’s growing okay…

    Reply

    • Kate
      September 29, 2024 @ 4:28 pm

      It is not ruined! If it doubled in size, you’re on your way to a great starter. 🙂

      Reply

  5. Nick
    August 2, 2024 @ 10:08 pm

    When feeding, do you still use a mixture of AP and wheat flour?

    Reply

    • Celeste deClaissé-Walford
      September 25, 2024 @ 11:31 am

      When feeding, do you still use a mixture of AP and wheat flour? I also have this question 🙂

      Reply

      • Kate
        September 29, 2024 @ 4:28 pm

        Yes, I use a mix of AP and wheat flour for my feedings! Using 100% AP flour is totally fine, though.

        Reply

  6. Lulu
    September 4, 2024 @ 4:42 pm

    I only have King Arthur unbleached bread flour, would you recommend using all purpose flour instead of bread flour?

    Reply

    • Kate
      September 29, 2024 @ 4:29 pm

      Bread flour is completely fine! It just has a higher protein content than AP flour, so the texture of the finished bread may be a little different.

      Reply

  7. Beth
    September 29, 2024 @ 1:12 pm

    Will the first discard be usable in sourdough discard recipes?

    Reply

    • Kate
      September 29, 2024 @ 4:30 pm

      I would not use the first discard in sourdough discard recipes, as it’s likely not active enough. Once your starter is active, bubbly, and has a dank, sour smell, that should be good to use in discard recipes.

      Reply

  8. Kara
    October 6, 2024 @ 11:15 pm

    We followed your directions but didn’t get any rise on the first rest day. We fed it for the first time and will see if we get any rise tomorrow. We’ve got it in the warmest part of the house but that’s at 68 degrees, could that be why?

    Reply

  9. Shannon Gormley
    October 11, 2024 @ 1:41 pm

    Can you clear up if we discard half the container each time we feed for the first week? I think I’m having success but I am confused on this step. And it stays on the counter for the first week, then fridge?

    Reply

  10. Danielle
    October 16, 2024 @ 10:08 am

    I’m day four and I see water separation. I don’t know what to do. Did I ruin it? Thanks!

    Reply

  11. Katelynn
    October 30, 2024 @ 7:51 am

    Good Morning!

    Started this a few days ago and would love to have your actual bread recipe for when it’s ready.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  12. Becky A
    November 1, 2024 @ 4:21 pm

    May I use 00 flour for this sourdough starter? Thank you !

    Reply

  13. Cindy
    December 5, 2024 @ 11:52 pm

    When the starter has become active, does each discard go in separate containers or the same container?

    Reply

    • Kate
      December 6, 2024 @ 2:36 pm

      The amount you discard should be thrown away, or you can use it to start an additional starter.

      Reply

  14. Lu
    December 14, 2024 @ 6:51 am

    How do you bake the bread once the starter is ready?

    Reply

  15. Natalie Vennerholm
    January 7, 2025 @ 11:32 am

    Mine was growing really well the first few days and then it stopped doubling in size, it still has bubbles and smells fairly vinegary. Any ideas? I’m on day 8

    Reply

  16. Joyce
    January 8, 2025 @ 11:35 am

    I am excited to find this starter recipe!
    Could you post the actual recipe for baking the bread once the starter is ready?
    Thank You

    Reply

  17. Miranda
    January 19, 2025 @ 9:34 pm

    Once you have the starter, how do you make the bread? I can’t seem to find that recipe.

    Reply

    • Kate
      January 21, 2025 @ 1:44 pm

      I haven’t shared my sourdough loaf recipe yet, but it’s coming soon!

      Reply

  18. Kaci
    January 29, 2025 @ 11:31 am

    When do you transition from cheesecloth to closed lid? I’m on my first discard day, and when you say “cover,” I’m not sure if I should cover with cheesecloth or the lid. Thanks!

    Reply

  19. Olivia
    February 3, 2025 @ 9:08 am

    What is your ratio of whole wheat to all purpose when feeding. I just added the 75/25 ratio until I had a full jar of feeding flour then fed with that. I got rise my first feeding but it hasn’t risen since ‍♀️

    Reply

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