The Fresh Loaf

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Cleaning a starter container: Stainless steel scouring pad!

alan856's picture
alan856

Cleaning a starter container: Stainless steel scouring pad!

This may be known by the old-timers, but I've found a way to get the insides of my starter containers really clean.

It seems that each time you feed a starter, you really need to move a portion of the existing starter to a new container.  This leaves a small amount of "smudges" of starter on the sides and bottom of the old container - and somewhat of a PITA to get out.

I've found that using a stainless steel scouring pad does an AMAZING job of getting all the residual starter out - and the magic is that it does NOT clog up the pad.  I think it must break the starter into such fine parts that they rinse away with the cold water.  I've done this on plastic ZipLoc Twist-n-Lock containers and other plastic and it does NOT scratch or damage the plastic.  You just need to lightly twirl the pad against the sides and bottom - and VOLIA!  They come out clean!  :-)

=Alan R.

dbazuin's picture
dbazuin

I find that cleaning them as soon as je done feeding makes it must simpler. 

alan856's picture
alan856

As soon as I remove existing starter from a small container it can be a PITA to get the WET remainder out. This makes the job a LOT easier.

idaveindy's picture
idaveindy

I've never heard of using a plastic container to store starter, except in the freezer, or short term, like a plastic bag.

I thought it was supposed to be something non-reactive, and safe for acids, like glass.

I use borosilicate glass (Pyrex) measuring cups, and never had a problem cleaning them with water and a paper towel, or even bare fingers.

alfanso's picture
alfanso

Ever.  Going under the belief that the old bugs help the new bugs along, and the walls and base of the containers are imbued with the historical remnants of bugs past.  Passing on their DNA to the future generations. 

They are still in their original containers from years ago.  They live in the refrigerator, the refresh takes place in another vessel, and that is then commingled with however much starter/levain is still in their long-term residences.

As the line in Wooden Ships goes "haven't got sick once, probably keep us both alive".

alan856's picture
alan856

Guess there are MANY ways to manage a starter.  All the vids I've watched STRONGLY recommend keeping the jar clean as if MOLD gets in - the starter is DOA.  I've only been at this for a few weeks, but I've used both plastic and glass containers and have had no probs with either.

When I feed a starter - say with a 1-1-1 ration, I take the 1 of the existing starter in the new container, and add the remaining water flour to the new container..  What is left of the original is "discard" which I handle in a variety of ways.  This leaves a container with starter all over the sides and bottom...  rinsing with cold water gets most of it out.  The remainder will come of with the stainless steel scouring pad VERY NICELY!  

I hesitated to post this idea as it seems a tad radical - but it works SOO good (IF you want a clean container)(for whatever reason) - give it a go - does MAGIC!   :-)

 

alfanso's picture
alfanso

what other folks should or shouldn't do without being asked.  I can only report my own personal experience, as I've done here.  

I've kept them all in some type of plastic container.  My oldest at 60% hydration is 6 years old, next at 75% - 5 years, 100% hydration - 4 years old, and just for fun 2 @ 125% which I flirted with for 2 years before thinking that maintaining 5 starters is kinda over the top, but was a fun experiment.  The containers themselves never leave the refrigerator except to scoop some out for refreshes.  And I maintain that I've never seen mold on any of them, nor the containers they are in.

If others wish to maintain their starters and the vessels they are in, in any other way, I definitely have no issues with that. 

Johnny Winter sang "Still alive and well".

PS welcome to the TFL community.  The "world's best" resource and recipe/formula source.  If you can think it, someone has done it here.  The search box is your friend.  Just be aware that not all advise here is sound or well founded.

And another thing.  I'm also an Alan, and we are in the minority as far as the spelling.  So...hello.

alan856's picture
alan856

Greets to one of the few!  :-)

Being pretty new to this stuff, I'm (rightly or wrongly) doing a lot of starter feedings with no bake.  This is to (allegedly) get some "maturity" or "character" to the starter.  As a result, I'm taking a small amount of an existing and using it to feed again.  So I discard the current batch, and like to get the container SOMEWHAT clean.

As it turns out - rinsing with water and give a light, quick scuffing to the inside of the of the jar gets it clean with nearly no effort. This also helps me keep clear in my mind what I'm doing - not leftovers to cloud the issue.  I'm sure after several years of this I too will be able to just toss a little flour and water into an old batch and have good stuff...

When I actually do a bake, I follow the "scrapings" technique where only a smidgen of the starter remains - and the amount for the next loaf will be added to this and grown at RT.

This wasn't an advocation of "clean containers" - I was just so startled at how neatly the SS pad got all the stuff out - and didn't get clogged - and thought it might be of interest to some... I mean a SOME point someone MAY have a starter-jar that needs a bit of TLC.. 

dbazuin's picture
dbazuin

If you buy some steel wool 00  (very fine) it is indeed very safe for cleaning even the glass of a aquarium as I know from experince. 

My methode is using two identical glas yars. Zo I add water, flour and some starter to the clean jar use the rest to build a levain, use it direct or put it in a container in the fridge for pancakes or crackers. 

The dirty jar I rinse directly.

Edo Bread's picture
Edo Bread

Don't know why you would ever clean it. 10 years no problems.

alan856's picture
alan856

Ok - so you leave your starter container all crusty and not clean. Your choice. HOWEVER - there are other occasions when a container that had starter in it for whatever reason needs to be cleaned.  Also there are times when dough and other 'stuff' from bread baking gets on bowls, containers and tools - and needs to be removed.

I have found that the stainless steel scouring ball does an AMAZING job at removing all forms of flour/water related stuff and does not clog up.  Just wanted to pass a handy tip on to any interested parties.

Edo Bread's picture
Edo Bread

Sure hard dough is a tough job. I was talking strictly abut a starter. I think a healthy one can keep out anything harmful. As with other cases of people cleaning "too" much and over sanitizing, I think letting a starter just keep humming along is good for it.

It was no comment on your cleaning technique.