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Changing the hydration during the feedings (e.g. Detmolder method)

fusan's picture
fusan

Changing the hydration during the feedings (e.g. Detmolder method)

Hi all

 

New here. Long time lurker but first time poster.

So many of my questions has been answered here, but there still remains some.

I know that the simple way of converting a starter is to just add new water and flour at the desired hydration, but

when you change several times with every feeding, the hydration gets all messed up... in my head.

So the question is actually, does anyone count in the water level from last feeding to be included in the next?

Since english is not my native language, I think an example is the best way to illustrate, so I made this (rather

primitive) Demold table:

 

                     Ratio     Old water     New Water     Old Flour     New Flour     Total Dough     Hydration

Starter          1:1:1            2                                          2                                           4               100%

Feeding 1     1:3:2            2                  10                    2                  6                     20               150%

Feeding 2     1:3:5          12                  48                    8                92                   160                 60%

Feeding 3     1:1:1          60                100                100                60                   320               100%

 

As shown, I calculate the amount of "old" water/flour and only add as much "new" as the ratio state.

In my opinion it seem important espacially with the Demolders method, since it jumps up and down in

hydration like it does. But is this the normal way to do it? Are there any problems by doing it this way

rather than just all it all together without taking in to consideration the water and flour in the previeous feed?

 

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

Just add up all the total amount water in the mix at the time and divide by the total amount of flour in the mix at the time.

Happy baking 

fusan's picture
fusan

I dont understand how dividing total water with total flour should solve the issue whether to include the previous

water/flour. Im new to all this sourdough theori, so please bear with me.

Could you give an example based on the table above?

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

from the previous feeding then you include the flour and water in it added to the next feeding amount for both to get total water divided by total flour to get the hydration after the 2nd feeding,  If you toss hlf the first feeding before doing the 2nd feeding then you cut the flour and water of the first feeding in half befoe adding the 2nd feeding amount,

What ever the total amount of water and flour is in the mix at the time determines the hydration - no matter how many times you feed it.

hope this helps

fusan's picture
fusan

No I dont throw anything away.

So if I understand you correct, you count the same way as shown in the table. In other words you take in account

what the prevoius feed has of water and flour and compensate to get the right hydration.

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

ratio s:w:f    parenthesis showing where the figures are coming from...

                     Ratio     Old water     New Water     Old Flour     New Flour     Total Dough     Hydration

Starter          1:1:1            2                                          2                                           4           100%

Feeding 1     1:3:2            2                  12 (4x3)           2                  8 (4x2)            24            140%  (14/10 x 100)

Feeding 2     1:3:5          14 (2+12)       72 (24x3)       10 (2+8)      120 (24x5)        216           66%  (86/130 x 100)

Feeding 3     1:1:1          86 (14+72)    216 (216x1)  130 (10+120)  216 (216x1)    648         87%  (302/346 x 100)

 

suave's picture
suave

These number make more sense to me.

fusan's picture
fusan

From what I see, you do not compensate for the amount of the water and flour from the previous feed but

add the new amount according to the ratio. That is why you also get the different hydrations than me.

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

and use the ratios given.    I am doing what you said to do.  The total amount of starter (total dough)  becomes "1" in the following ratio.

I corrected your numbers.  The ratios did not add up so I changed the amounts to match the ratios.  

If you would rather change the ratios to fit your numbers,  I can do that too.

 

fusan's picture
fusan

Ohh ok, I understand now. My "slow" english is catching up :)