Top 3 Sourdough Mistakes Beginners Make & How to Avoid Them

The Top 3 Mistakes People Make When Starting Sourdough (And How to Avoid Them)

Starting your own sourdough journey can be exciting and rewarding. There’s nothing quite like pulling a warm, crusty loaf of sourdough bread from the oven that you’ve made from scratch! 🍞 But, if you’re new to sourdough, it can also feel a bit intimidating. Between maintaining a starter and perfecting your technique, there’s a lot to learn.

In this post, I’m sharing the top 3 mistakes people make when they first start baking sourdough, and how you can avoid them. Plus, I’ll explain how my Sourdough Mentorship can guide you every step of the way!

1. Mistake: Not Feeding Your Starter Properly

Your sourdough starter is the heart of your bread, and if it’s not healthy, your bread won’t rise properly. One common mistake beginners make is not feeding their starter frequently enough or incorrectly balancing the flour and water ratio. A neglected starter can turn sluggish, resulting in dense bread or no rise at all.

How to Avoid This:

• Feed your starter consistently. Depending on how often you bake, you should feed it at least once a day if kept at room temperature or once a week if stored in the fridge.
• Stick to equal parts water and flour (by weight, not volume). This is known as a 100% hydration starter, and it’s the most common ratio used by home bakers.

Pro Tip: If you notice your starter looking inactive or watery, it may need more frequent feedings or a better balance of flour to water. Consistency is key to keeping your starter happy and active!

2. Mistake: Overcomplicating the Process

Many beginners think sourdough has to be complicated and are easily overwhelmed by the many steps involved. While sourdough does require time and patience, it doesn’t need to be stressful. Overcomplicating the process by trying to follow too many techniques or recipes can result in confusion and, often, disappointing loaves.

How to Avoid This:

• Keep it simple! Start with a basic recipe and master the fundamentals before diving into advanced techniques. You only need flour, water, salt, and a healthy starter to make delicious bread.
• Give your dough time. Sourdough thrives on slow fermentation, so resist the temptation to rush through the steps. Stick to a simple timeline for mixing, folding, fermenting, shaping, and baking.

Pro Tip: Start by making just one or two loaves a week. This way, you can observe how your dough behaves and develop a feel for when it’s ready. Each bake will improve your skills and confidence!

3. Mistake: Not Managing Dough Temperature

Temperature plays a significant role in sourdough baking, affecting everything from how your starter develops to how your dough ferments. One of the most common mistakes is not paying attention to the temperature of the dough and the environment. If your dough is too cold, fermentation will be slow, leading to dense bread. If it’s too warm, fermentation will be too fast, resulting in overly sour bread or even collapsed loaves.

How to Avoid This:

• Control the dough temperature. Aim for a dough temperature between 75°F and 80°F (24°C to 27°C) during the bulk fermentation process. You can adjust the temperature by using warmer or cooler water when mixing your dough or by adjusting the environment where the dough rises.
• Monitor the room temperature. If your kitchen is particularly cold, consider placing your dough in a warm spot (like the oven with the light on). If it’s too warm, find a cooler location.

Pro Tip: Use a thermometer to check the temperature of your dough during the process to make adjustments. The right temperature will help you get a perfect rise and great flavor.

Ready to Master Sourdough? Join My Sourdough Mentorship!

If you’re just starting out with sourdough or feeling a little unsure, I’m here to help. My Sourdough Mentorship program is designed to guide beginners through each step of the process, from creating and feeding your starter to perfecting your first loaf.

In my mentorship, you’ll learn:

• How to maintain a strong, active starter
• Step-by-step guidance on baking your first (and best!) loaf
• Tips for troubleshooting any issues that arise
• Access to my favorite recipes and techniques, built from years of experience

By the end of our mentorship, you’ll feel confident in your sourdough skills and ready to enjoy the delicious, homemade bread your family will love!

Call to Action: Ready to dive into the world of sourdough? Join my Sourdough Mentorship and get the hands-on support you need to succeed! Contact me today to learn more or sign up for my next session. Let’s bake something amazing together! 🍞✨