The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Retard levain in the fridge?

jimmyoven's picture
jimmyoven

Retard levain in the fridge?

If my levain is starting to fall, but I'm not ready to mix it in, can I put the levain in the refrigerator to retard the development for a couple hours? Sometimes I forget to start the autolyse when I should, so this could come in handy, rather than waiting too long, when the levain isn't as active. 

DanAyo's picture
DanAyo

Absolutely!

dbazuin's picture
dbazuin

After watching a video from the Proof bakkery I got this idear. 
Sometimes I don’t know when I can start the next day so putting the levain in the fridge just a little for is peak is a perfect solution. 

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

:)

dbazuin's picture
dbazuin

What is the longest time you left it in the fridge. 

The Roadside Pie King's picture
The Roadside Pi...

Good morning, Jimmy.

 I have adopted a new strategy of building multiple 125% hydration two stage levains, for practicing my bageuette game. on the 22nd I whipped up a batch of three. One was used immediately on repining.  I used the last one bake 3 of 3 yesterday after warming the levian to room temp. That is a full four day retardation! 

cch099's picture
cch099

Is the levain close to doubling/tripling before you add it or at the beginning after the starter is mixed into it?