Feeding vs Starving -- a new starter
As previously mentioned, I used the WW:Rye:Pinapple Juice method (1:1:2) for 4 consecutive days. My starter never became bubbly but it did move through a series of smells (yeasty, yeasty w. paint thinner) all on the “pleasant” side of the spectrum. Inside my bowl, things were wet and humid with condensation forming on the plasticwrap covering.
Last night, after a very long day 4 (we had tickets to a thing and did not get back until late), I decided to start feeding it. I reserved 2 OZ of the starter (put the rest in the fridge just in case) and added 1 oz bottled water and 1 oz AP (2:1:1). Then went to bed.
This morning, 2 large bubble wholes and some very minor bubble evidence on the bottom (I switched to a clear glass bowl so that I could see all around.) But still, no major visible activity. (I have no idea if it doubled and reduced while I slept.) The smell is a very faint yeasty-alcohol. My starter is not dead, but it’s certainly not ready to do any heavy-lifting.
The question now is: what now? Do I feed it just a bit before I leave for 10 hours (adding a bit of flour and water to the existing - maybe a half oz of each to the 4 oz base)? Should I repeat the previous (2:1:1)? Or should I let it starve for the day? I do not want to raise the pH before its ready, but I also don’t want the hungry yeasties to die.
http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/32065/thick-putty-yeasty-smell-no-bubbles [1]
http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/32049/pineapple-starter-day-4-help [2]
Kneads_Love