Question: Can You Use A Plastic Container For Sourdough Starter?

What is best container for sourdough starter?

Wide-mouth, pint-sized Ball jars are perfect because they are inexpensive and easy to find.

Another reason to use a tall glass jar is to see the starter rise and fall throughout the process.

Other containers you can use are Weck Jars, a glass cup, a bowl or a plastic container with a lid..

Should I stir my sourdough starter before using?


Why is my sourdough starter not passing the float test?

Note: For the float test, drop a small amount of starter into a glass of room-temperature water. If it floats, the starter passed the test! If it sinks, you either need to let the starter sit longer to develop more bubbles, or feed it again and let it sit until it passes the float test (usually 6–12 hours).

Can bad sourdough starter make you sick?

Allergies and food intolerances set aside, there is no need to be worried about the bacterial content in sourdough bread, because even if bad bacteria did make it into the dough, it will most likely die at the cooking stage and be perfectly safe to eat.

What gives sourdough its taste?

Sourdough bread is made by the fermentation of dough using naturally occurring lactobacilli and yeast. The lactic acid produced by the lactobacilli gives it a more sour taste and improved keeping qualities.

What can I add to my sourdough bread?


Should a sourdough starter be in an airtight container?

While the temperature and surroundings of a starter are crucial to its outcome, the sourdough starter does not need to be sealed in an airtight container. It’s still helpful to cover the starter with some sort of a lid, to prevent any mess from ensuing (via The Perfect Loaf).

What else can sourdough starter be used for?

But there’s much more sourdough starter can be used for besides bread.PANCAKES. It has been said that the pioneers survived on sourdough wheat, most likely in the form of pancakes. … WAFFLES AND OTHER BREAKFAST RECIPES. Pancakes aren’t always on the menu. … TORTILLAS. … CRACKERS. … DESSERTS. … MUFFINS. … PIE CRUST. … MAIN DISH.

Why do you discard half the sourdough starter?

The primary reason home recipes for starter call for some of it to be discarded is “because as the starter is fed (refreshed) with flour and water to keep it alive and active, it continues to grow and expand to a far greater quantity than is practical, especially for home baking,” Beranbaum writes.

How much of my sourdough starter should I discard?

Maintaining your sourdough starter at room temperature If you’re willing to maintain your starter at room temperature by feeding it twice a day, here’s how. Stir the starter well and discard all but 1/2 cup (4 ounces, 113g).

Can I add a little yeast to my sourdough starter?

Blend a cup of warm water and a cup of flour, and pour it into the jar. That’s the whole recipe! I use plain, unbleached bread flour most of the time, but I’ve had good results with all-purpose and whole-wheat flour, too. If you want, you can add a little commercial yeast to a starter to “boost” it.

What do I do with my sourdough starter when I go on vacation?

How to preserve your sourdough starter when on vacationMake very stiff starter and keep it in the fridge. … Freeze you sourdough starter. … Dehydrate your starter. … Ask someone to take care of it while you are on vacation. … Discard your starter and start a new one when you are ready to bake again, it only takes 3 days to make your starter from the scratch.

How do you transport a sourdough starter?

Place the crumbles in a plastic bag and seal the bag. Label the bag with the contents and date. Carry the bagged starter in your checked luggage. At your destination, add enough water to achieve the consistency you prefer and let it ferment until it peaks.

Why does my sourdough starter smell like vomit?

Foul odours (i.e., vomit) is normal for new starters, especially if made with only flour and water. In my experience, you can’t get good starter after only four days. … After about two to three weeks, you’ll have a ripe active starter that’ll smell rich and sweet, a bit sour and cheesy after more than 48 hours.

Do you have to discard sourdough starter every time you feed it?

Why should one toss a perfectly good portion of sourdough starter? The reason is that unless some starter is discarded, it quickly builds up and requires so much flour for feedings that it becomes unmanageable. … Not all recipes work well using discarded sourdough starter.

How can you tell if your sourdough starter has gone bad?

This starter shouldn’t be saved. However, if you see a pink or orange tint or streak, this is a sure sign that your sourdough starter has gone bad and should be discarded. The stiff starter above was left out at room temperature for two weeks. It’s definitely time to throw it out and start over.

How do I know my sourdough starter is mature?

One popular way to know that your sourdough starer is ready is to try floating a bit of it in water. Fill a glass bowl or cup with room-temperature water, and drop a small scoop (a teaspoon or less) of the starter into the water. If it floats, it’s ready to use.

Can you overfeed a sourdough starter?


What happens if you don’t discard sourdough starter?

If you don’t discard some each time, you have to feed it MORE flour each time (because it’s a larger quantity of batter to keep going). Some say they want to keep the “other half” and give to a friend. … It’s much less wasteful to discard some each time than to use tons of flour or try to make tons of new starters.

How long can a sourdough starter go without feeding?

You can leave the starter in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days at a time between feedings. We recommend feeding sourdough starter at least twice a week for best results.

Can I mail sourdough starter?

Sourdough starters are considered liquids and are perishable, but conform to the guidelines set forth by USPS. Other mail carriers, such as FedEx and UPS are fine to use, as long as expected shipment times are no longer than 5 days.