Sourdough for My Mom | What the Heck to Do With a Sourdough Starter

Did someone just give you some sourdough starter and you have NO CLUE what the heck to do with it? I just did that to my mom and she was panicked. This video is something she asked for to explain what sourdough starter is and how to feed it.
NOTE: Our kitchen is being remodeled hence the weird background. Try to ignore it!!
There are some very basic explanations and a brief touch on sourdough starter feeding ratios. Some people may say that feeding ratios are a more complex or "in the weeds" topic, but learning this absolutely changed and simplified my experience when feeding my starter for different recipes. Now, you can have control over when your starter is ready to use-not the other way around!
I left out a lot of things on purpose so as not to get too complex, so I'm sure there will be questions. I will let you guide the conversation in the comments - just leave your comments and I will be happy to elaborate and explain more.
Please note that I am not a sourdough guru or expert - I simply geek out over sourdough and have learned quite a bit over the last year or so. I'm happy to share what I have learned with others but I am sure my knowledge and understanding of sourdough will continue to evolve with time.
Recipe links:
Foolproof sourdough bread recipe (artisan-style): thatsourdoughg...
Easy, soft, overnight sourdough sandwich bread recipe: thatsourdoughg...
Fast & easy sourdough discard waffles recipe: thatsourdoughg...
Easy overnight sourdough bagel recipe: thatsourdoughg...

[@riverflow1227]

Thank you! Such helpful information! -Mom

[@thatsourdoughgal-v6l]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KellyNaranjo-r9c]

I understand you so well! Thanks for all you do! Happy baking!

[@thatsourdoughgal-v6l]

so happy to hear that!

[@PepperFreePlanner]

Omg thank you SOOOOOO much for this video! Youre the first of 10 videos that made it make sense! Thank you 😊

[@alenadams]

Thank you!! This is so helpful

[@thatsourdoughgal-v6l]

I'm so glad!

[@betrue58]

You're just the best!! ❤ Sarah

[@shannonmorehouse6341]

What are the "rules" for the water so I don't hurt my starter? City water vs well water vs bottled water? Thank you for everything you do!

[@thatsourdoughgal-v6l]

I use my tap water - we have a well. City water is generally not the best to use because they put chlorine in it and the microbes in sourdough starter aren't too fond of that. Spring water in the gallon or bottle is best. Do not use reverse osmosis water.

[@NicAngels16]

How often do change the jar or how do you keep the jar clean for longer use?

[@thatsourdoughgal-v6l]

I swap it every 3-4 days or so.

[@stephjohnny]

What temperature, your average room temperature, are you keeping your starter at?

[@thatsourdoughgal-v6l]

Usually, our home is 74-75F. Right now, it's around 70F and is taking longer to rise, as expected.

[@eringeddes3544]

Why the 123 water and flour for a 1:5:5 ratio? Wouldnt that be 125?

[@thatsourdoughgal-v6l]

I rounded for simplicity. Technically, it is 24.5g starter, 122.7g flour, 122.7g water. But doing 25g, 125g, 125g, would be just fine. Those few grams won't make much of a difference.

[@carmen6364]

Iam soo confused please help, I had spent many hours on the internet and still not sure . I only want to bake 1x week-.i have 150 gr starter in fridge and my recipe calls for 90 grams . How much should I feed it a 1.1.1 or 1.5.5 ratio , and which ratio better.? I was going to take 150 starter discard 100 that leaves me with 50 starter then feed it (50 S, 50 F, 50 W ) =150 then when peak use 150-90 (for recipe) the left over will be 60 then I will feed the 60 (1.1.1) then put away in fridge til next week , is that right ?

[@thatsourdoughgal-v6l]

If you need 90g for your recipe, I'd take out 10g of discard from the fridge and feed it 50g flour, 50g water the night before. That'll give you 20g extra to feed and put back in the fridge for next time.

[@carmen6364]

@@thatsourdoughgal-v6l Oh ok , now it’s making more sense . You are amazing , love watching your video !. Thank you

[@patbullard8135]

Why is my bread so dense

[@thatsourdoughgal-v6l]

Probably a fermentation issue