How long will a sourdough starter last between feedings?
I'm using a sourdough starter from the recipe in Peter Reinhart's Artisan Breads Every Day and I have gone through several of the rebuilding cycles with it. It's been working fairly well for me and I have been refreshing it every week. It is stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
How long can the starter be left in the fridge without being refreshed before it's un-salvageable and would need to be thrown out?
Best Answer
The following is paraphrased from Andrew Whitley's excellent book Bread Matters
Wheat leaven
- If you intend to use within 2 days, store the it at ambient temperature
- For 2-14 days, store it in the fridge. Optionally refresh it before use.
- For longer, refresh then freeze. Refresh again after thawing.
Rye sourdough
- 0-3 days -- ambient temperature
- 3-30 days -- fridge, no need to refresh
- Longer -- refresh then freeze. Refresh again after thawing.
Whitley describes "constructive neglect". He keeps a rye sourdough in his fridge that's several months old, so that he can demonstrate to students how easily he can take 50g of it and produce a lovely sourdough from it within 16 hours.
It's a great book.
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How long can sourdough starter go without feeding?
A starter stored in the fridge can be fed once a week, if you plan to use it often, or you can store it for up to two months without feeding.What happens if you miss a day feeding your sourdough starter?
The rule of any kitchen is \u201cWhen in doubt, throw it out,\u201d but I wouldn't panic and toss your starter if you only missed 1-3 days of feeding. If it's more than 3 days AND you have a warm kitchen, you'll have to make the call based on how well you know your starter.Do I have to feed my starter every time I use it?
A starter stored in the fridge will only require feeding once a week to maintain it. If you use your sourdough starter every day, keep it at room temperature. Follow the feeding instructions above and then leave it at room temperature. You will need to 'feed' it every day (at the same time, if possible).Can I feed my sourdough starter every 2 days?
I like using a small mason jar, but the only thing I had was an extra large mason jar for this photo shoot. Use a bowl to mix the starter with water and flour, but transfer it to a jar so you can watch it rise and see fermentation in action. You should feed it for the first two days twice a day, about 12 hours apart.Understanding Sourdough Starter | feeding, ratios, leaven, when to use, what to feed
More answers regarding how long will a sourdough starter last between feedings?
Answer 2
I've had mine sit for six months or more without feeding and still have life in it.
Don't use such an old one for bread though. Do a thorough wash of it first. Otherwise it'll taste like poop in a gym sock.
Answer 3
It should last for a couple of weeks without feeding. You should feed it at least twice before using it again though. Probably the safest thing to do is take a little of the starter and use it as an experiment; keep one bit for a week without feeding and see if it works, and another bit for two, etc.
Answer 4
In the fall, I made about five loaves of sour dough bread with a starter a friend gave me. Over the holidays, the starter was in the fridge for about five weeks without my using it. Then, after feeding it twice, it seemed to be back to normal and I made a standard sour dough white bread. It rose beautifully and looked great. However, it did not taste great. It was not bad, but nothing special. I'll make another loaf soon and see what happens. AL
Answer 5
According to thejoykitchen.com , it can go at least a month. I have had excess starter that I made in the refrigerator now for 4 weeks, took some of it out, stirred in the 'hootch' on top, lightly fed it some very thick 'dinner'...(nearly as thick flour to water ratio as I could mix together and still have it look like an extremely way too thick pancake batter), and put it back into the fridge. It bubbled slightly, but not enough to overflow the container.
I have also read that even at some months, it is still totally salvageable, though I have yet to try it. I will be testing my starters saved in different containers in the fridge to verify what to do when. You can also dry your starter, and I have ordered parchment paper to do this on. Hope that helps.
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Images: Jill Wellington, cottonbro, Rachel Claire, Rachel Claire