My sourdough starter went completely flat for a week straight

I was in my kitchen in Austin, trying to get a new starter going for a rye loaf. After 5 days of good activity, it just stopped bubbling and smelled like old gym socks. I panicked and almost threw it out, but I decided to try feeding it with warm water and a bit of whole wheat flour instead of my usual white. After two more days on the counter, it finally came back to life. Has anyone else saved a starter that seemed totally dead?

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3 Comments

wendyprice7mo ago

Oh man, been there. That gym sock smell is the worst. When mine did that, I moved it to a warmer spot, like on top of the fridge. Also, try using bottled water if your tap water has chlorine. That stuff can really knock it out.

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tara_patel7mo ago

Glad you switched up the flour. Starters can get lazy on the same food. Changing the diet shocks it back to work.

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gavinwells7mo ago

Yeah, it's like they get bored or something. Mine always perks up with a different type of rye. Makes you wonder if they have tiny taste buds.

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