September 24, 2011 - 1:04pm
Feeding a stiff starter ...
I have a question. I looked for an answer but didn't fine one.
It has been indicated that when feeding your sriff starter to add 1 unit of water for every 2 units of flour. But there are no indications on how much starter to use. It has been stated to use 2 ounces of 100% starter to 5 ounces flour and 2 ounces water giving you 9 ounces of starter. How much of that start is used for the next feeding? All 9 ounces increasing the whole starter to 12 ounces? Or a portion like 2 ounces and discarding the other 7 ounces?
Thanks in advance ...
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Hi,
The feeding of a starter can be adjusted depending on a few variables....a couple of questions will help with a response.
How often are you feeding it or wanting to feed it?
Is it living on your bench or the fridge? (ie what temperature range is it living in)
What flour are feeding it with (Wholemeal, white...etc)
Cheers, Phil
Thanks for replying Phil.
To answer your questions:
I just converted some of my 100% hydrated starter to a stiff starter this morning via the thread by JMonkey. The thread says to feed every 12 hours for a few days before using or refridgerating. But, I cannot find an answer as to the amount to feed? Start again with 2 oz or just add to the 9 oz I now have?
At present it's on a bench at approx 70 degrees. (I started this at 8am this morning) and has tripled in size already. I'm feeding with white ap flour.
Thank You for the reply ...
You will need to discard some if you are not feeding/building to get to a specific amount.
Your water ratio will also need to increase slightly from the 2 ounces to 2.5 ounces (ie for a 50% hydration starter your water should be half the flour weight) as you will be be using the firm starter to feed instead of the 100% hydration starter which contained more water.
You can alter your feed/seed amount depending on temperatures. Using ratios is a good way to visualise it. For instance at the moment I feed my starter in cooler conditions using this ratio 1(feed weight) : 1 (water weight) : 2(Flour weight) (ie. 1:1:2 - the feed weight is the same weight as the water). In warmer conditions you could use .5:1:2 (ie feed weight half the water weight) A firm starter is pretty forgiving, and if you are feeding it every 12 hours even at 1:1:2 in warmer conditions it will be OK, but maybe take note of the rise times and alter your feed amount next feed.
Hope this makes some sense.
Phil
Your reply helped alot. Will have to study those ratios ( used to 100% starter ). I tossed some and started again with 2oz. Within the next few days I should know how much I really need to keep. For now, just want it to be active. Thanks Again ...