The Fresh Loaf

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Keeping a Starter Happy in Winter

Clover23's picture
Clover23

Keeping a Starter Happy in Winter

Hello!

I've recently tried to start a new starter after a hiatus from sourdough baking. However, I live in Massachusetts, New England and with that comes the cold, dry winter! The starter I tried a week ago seemed to get cold, dry, and lifeless. I left it uncovered in a pretty cool corner for a few days to see if activity happened. It just mainly got hard and crusty. I did see a few bubbles and activity on the under surface. Any suggestions on how to keep a starter warm and active in a fairly cool, dry winter environment?

Thanks!

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

than doughy. A warm spot, try in your vest pocket, or near heat sources like water heaters, sterio equipment, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers or in an insulated cooler type box with a large jar of warm water. Heating pads, the list goes on. Temperature is important and getting it to 75°F or more will help a great deal.

If you still have that crusty starter attempt, drop it into some water just enough to cover and let it rehydrate. Then give it some more water and a spoon full of flour everyday to keep it wet. Cover it. The beasties you are looking for are in the flour and not in some corner of the house waiting to jump into the jar. My favourite cover is a piece of sandwich bag and a rubber band not too tightly but snug enough to keep out critters and keep moisture in. Check and stir several times a day.

The beasties like temperatures and things you like. They like my favourite coffee mug for example and me looking for it reminds me to stir the little creatures. They aren't big on eating until the yeast numbers increase to don't worry if you skip a day or two feeding them while they sort themselves out. You get your mug back later and holding it will also give them heat.

If you keep it warm in your breast pocket, double bag to contain any leaking. When your friends mention you smell like a brewery, the culture is ready for larger feeds and baking. :)

bread1965's picture
bread1965

I've sometimes put mine  in the oven.. I'd put the oven light on to warm up the space, but not too long as I "cooked" my starter once by leaving the light on too long. Even without running the oven and just having the light on, my starter hit a temp of 100 degrees!! But it's a good way to keep a warm environment.. maybe try putting the light on for 30 minutes at time when you think the oven is getting too cool - maybe once or twice a day.. just be sure to put a sticky on the oven door to remind yourself, or anyone else in the house, so they don't turn the oven on without looking to see if anything is inside!! That's also happened to me! It's a good way to go in the winter during bake weeks..