Easy Tips to Maintain a Healthy Sourdough Starter

How to Keep Your Sourdough Starter Healthy and Happy

A strong sourdough starter is the heart of every delicious loaf. Whether you’re brand new to sourdough or you’ve been baking for years, keeping your starter healthy ensures your bread rises beautifully and develops that irresistible tang. Like any living culture, your starter needs consistent care, the right environment, and a little attention to thrive.

🌟 1. Feed Your Starter Consistently

Think of your starter as a pet—it needs regular feeding! A simple routine of flour and water (usually every 12–24 hours, depending on your schedule and baking frequency) will keep the yeast and bacteria balanced.

• Use equal parts flour and water by weight.

• Stick to a regular feeding time to avoid fluctuations.

• If you bake less often, you can store your starter in the fridge and feed it once a week.

🌟 2. Watch the Temperature

Your starter thrives in a warm, but not too hot, environment. Ideally, keep it between 70–75°F. Too cold, and the yeast slows down; too hot, and you risk damaging the microbes.

Tip: If your home is chilly, store your starter in the oven with the light on or in a proofing box.

🌟 3. Look for Signs of Activity

A happy starter should double in size within 4–8 hours of feeding. You’ll also notice bubbles, a pleasant tangy smell, and a spongy texture. If it smells off (like rotten eggs) or shows mold, it may be time to start fresh.

🌟 4. Use the Right Flour and Water

Starters love consistency. Stick to unbleached, all-purpose or bread flour, and use filtered or non-chlorinated water for best results. Chlorine in tap water can harm the natural yeast.

🌟 5. Don’t Forget to Discard

Discarding a portion before feeding keeps your starter balanced and prevents it from becoming too acidic. Plus, you can use discard in recipes like pancakes, waffles, or crackers!

✅ Final Thoughts

A thriving starter means endless opportunities for delicious sourdough loaves, pizza dough, focaccia, and more. With regular feeding, the right environment, and a little TLC, your starter will stay strong and ready to bake whenever you are.

Want to take your sourdough journey to the next level? If you’re local to San Antonio, join my hands-on sourdough workshop—perfect for beginners or anyone who wants more confidence in caring for their starter. And don’t forget to check out my Amazon list of recommended baking tools to set yourself up for success.