October 24, 2021 - 6:17am
Is air circulation required for a starter?
Hi all
I had read somewhere that air circulation was needed for a healthy starter so I had removed the rubber ring from my Kilner jar but I noticed that minuscule flying insects (fruit flies?) get in the jar so I put the rubber ring back on.
What are your views, please?
cyber
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I take off the clamping device so gases can escape the jar and not build up inside the jar. Clamping a piece of paper towel or cloth instead of the rubber seal is also an idea to keep out bugs. I often use a piece of plastic and a large rubber band to keep the bugs out, just tight enough to keep bugs out and moisture in yet let gas escape the jar.
I've been following your good advice for 2 weeks now and I'm very pleased with the result. No more fruit flies and healthy starter. Thank you Mini Oven
Just keep track of the clamp and parts. Easy to loose that "0" piece. I tie them all together with a wire twisty or two. (The twists tend to breed in the kitchen drawer.). :)
I removed the clamping device then.
My 100% hydration dark rye starer lives in a sealed glass container in the fridge. No probs. Very lively and powerful.
Why does it need to be sealed if it lives in the fridge? My 100% hydration dark rye is kept out of the fridge, in the kitchen.
Cold slows down fermentation. If you keep it cold you don't have to feed it. I take it out and feed it to build a levain once a week to bake bread. This means I have zero discard and maintain only a small amount of starter in the fridge.
If I don't bake for two weeks, no problem.
This was not my question
Covered reduces drying out in the fridge. Enjoy!
I have zero discard as well although I proceed differently. I leave my starter outside the fridge