The First 10 Days of Your New Sourdough Starter: Troubleshooting Tips

[@noorabutarboush8778]

You are literally the only sourdough content creator I trust

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you so much. 🙏

[@lindsaylovesit]

Me too!!!!

[@pegasuvius9765]

I so just thought the same thing

[@alianetdiaz4900]

Same!!

[@That0neGuy124]

He’s the only sensible person I’ve seen so far and I’m sad that I hadn’t found him earlier in my sourdough journey.

[@battlefield8914]

I had been struggling for a whole year to create a sourdough starter. By chance, while browsing sourdough videos, I discovered your channel and followed the entire video. The next day I said to myself, “This is the desired video.” After seven days, I succeeded in making sourdough starter , and for the first time I smelled the yeast. Thank you

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks!

[@RoddieH]

One thing I really want to thank you for is providing your guides directly vs making us sign up to a mailing list. Really appreciated and I think it's something you should call out sometimes when you mention your guides.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you, I will.

[@momchi2]

THIS is the absolute BEST video on sourdough starters, this guy does the best explanation from 100s of videos I watched so far, and it answers so many questions.... Tom, BIG THANK YOU

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. I appreciate the feedback.

[@wearyandheavyladen23]

i’ve watched so many videos trying to make a successful starter, thinking it would be somewhat simple. Ha! you’re the only one i’ll watch now. i think when we watch too many different people, it causes so much confusion and discouragement!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. Also lots of great content on my website. thesourdoughjourney.com/faq-starter-creation/

[@wearyandheavyladen23]

@@thesourdoughjourney thank you so much Tom! idk anyone else who is as trustworthy as you online! every person i listened to lead me into failure. i was ready to quit until i found your channel 😂 that’s honest to goodness! thank you for such good and genuine information!

[@feasted3870]

Currently in the quiet days phase and was freaking out until I saw your video. Thank you for your knowledge!!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. Lots of new tools here too. thesourdoughjourney.com/faq-starter-creation/

[@lwong6495]

Thank you so much ! I failed two trials of starters following other KZbinrs until I found your videos. I m now starting my third starter and so far things going so well and I m gaining confidence now! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. Also check out my website for more new tools. thesourdoughjourney.com/faq-starter-creation/

[@newbiqt]

You saved my starter!! I was going to toss my starter yesterday, found your video, learned about water separation. My starter had too much water, I added more flour and this morning I woke up to a risen starter with some bubbles on top! 😊 THANK YOU!!!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. 🙏 .

[@newbiqt]

​@thesourdoughjourney so my original starter jar had mold. I tossed it and have now started a new starter using your method. The 10-day guide is excellent! Everything you describe is what's happening with my starter now. I have high hopes!

[@yacinenehari5276]

It's amazing how you and Harrison Ford have almost the same voice. It's noticeable (The raiders of the lost Ark, where he explains to the Feds how to read from the Staff) ! I can't thank you enough for sharing such a complex subjet. I'm as green as they come and I hope to learn some more! Thanks again!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. I never noticed that.

[@dhy2kb393]

Finally.. some logical, well explained, detailed information to help make sense of the process. Thank you!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. Lots of helpful info here too. thesourdoughjourney.com/faq-starter-creation/

[@michaelwagner302]

I am on day 10 of my brand new starter and your videos are the reason I've had success. It's been doubling for 3 days now. I had my false rise 6 hours in which was a little scary, but then basically nothing until day 7 where things started to pick up and gave me hope. Tomorrow I'm going to try baking my first loaf. Wish me luck!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. Good luck!

[@Weareeverywhere14]

I started a starter with your method of not feeding until day 3. I also had one where I started feeding after 24 hours. Well, today is day 3 on the one, and it doubled overnight. The other one I’ve been feeding daily, hasn’t. So, I think it’s safe to say your method is better! I’m going to subscribe to your channel now and watch your videos! Thanks! I about shrieked when I saw it this morning lol

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks! Good luck.

[@normabishop2693]

I've watched many videos and created several starters after becoming sourdough-obsessed during the pandemic. (I think there was a sourdough virus circulating at the same time!) Yours is the first logical, science-based, and honest video I've seen. THANK YOU!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you 🙏

[@AvocadoXenomorph]

Ive been trying to make a sourdough starter on and off for a year. Watched so many videos, read articles, even bought a book! This video is everything I’ve been looking for in terms of an informational video. Thank you sir, this is absolutely amazing! Liked and subscribed!

[@MarvinBowen]

I just learned about your channel today and have half watched half listened to three of your videos while I'm at work. I believe that baking is a science and that science is most closely related to chemistry. Your thorough explanation of what's happening with the chemical processes in sourdough starter has been extremely helpful. Everybody should be watching your videos. I made the mistake of not using whole wheat flour. I'm just using whatever I had in the cupboard in a jar. I'll be going to get whole wheat after work.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. Good luck!

[@leagariepy3479]

The BEST video I’ve watched on sourdough starter. Thank you so much for your detailed and well explained informations!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks!

[@reda-exe]

thank you SO MUCH for explaining that water separation! i thought i was losing my mind, seeing hooch everywhere when i tried to look it up! i got a souvenir packet of dried sourdough starter from 2003 and really want THIS STARTER to at least get far enough along to dry out and have a backup of since it is such a cool gift. I've been feeling so lost, thank you so much!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks! 🙏

[@56sleepy]

You are an authoritative site for fact based, trustworthy knowledge about working with sourdough. The social media websites have so much conflicting info, but after watching several of your videos now I know where I stand and how to move forward. Many thanks!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you!

[@JenKunkel]

This is the best! I did sourdough years ago, when info was much more rare online. Of course, I haven't been able to find the source I used the. Your info is much closer to what I recall learning then, from someone who also knew what they were doing. Now, everyone thinks they're an expert & there's so much conflicting and incorrect info. Thank you! I'm so glad I found you.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks you. There is a lot of bad info out there.

[@Kindlyone777]

I wished I would have seen your video first. I should do a video of what NOT to do and how to quickly ruin a starter. You explain perfectly and simply the How, What and Why of the Sourdough starter process. So many videos either over simplify or over complicate the process. New subbie here. Thank you

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks!

[@spuppy852]

Just want to thank you for this video.. On Day 7 or so after what seemed like a routine start for my first attempt, my starter seemed like it wasn't doing a thing. Not a single bubble. Left it for 48 hours and BOOM on the next feeding it doubled, and then the next it tripled easily. I'll take it from here. Just letting it just sit there for an extra day is a great tip I rarely came across when researching this

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you! I’m happy it worked for you.

[@lizalerman6698]

I tried to leave mine for 24 hours and had a lot of water separating from the starter and a very acetone like smell. Did it happen to you? Im looking for any advice

[@sydneyschmitt6226]

I would trust you with my life with how organized and detailed the video and guide are! Day 1... here we go!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. Good luck.

[@JudithWilson-mv4bz]

Finally, after wasting so much flour I got a starter from following this method! I did use a different flour because of sensitivity needs, but this all makes sense and works.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. Good luck. 🍀

[@johncarter4411]

I'm on day 2, and I'm surprised how excited I am. Thank you for the tips. I watch these everyday to try to be patient.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Good luck.

[@markacyr]

The temperature : rise time chart table was EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thank you

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks.

[@susanrezabek6517]

I was reading and following all the wrong, simplified advice from other sourdough enthusiasts. Myself being a rule follower, followed everything to a t. Finally I found your videos. I was patient and waited and my starter is looking much better! Im also changing my flour to 50/50 whole wheat and bread flour combination, as I thought the AP flour was ok. Not optimal, as I understand now. I continue to refer to all your videos as I troubleshoot my way through. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge Tom!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. AP is ok for feeing a mature starter, but you need the whole grains for the initial source of the dormant yeast.

[@supernoobsmith5718]

I had no trouble using BLEACHED AP flour. I varied a few things here and there. But on day 10 things were consistent, and on day 15, last night, I made my first dough. Final proofing in fridge now. I didn't discard first few days. I began with sterilized jars. I switched to UNbleached bread flour at one point, then switched back. I changed jars a couple of times. I changed to 75g instead of 50 grams for a few days. I powered through days when it rose crazy, and just days when it didn't do much. I think there is plenty of yeast in bleached. And I think sterilizing the jar keeps the bad bacteria at a minimum. I had strong acetone smells from about day 4 through 11, then it began to get sweet/sour. My kitchen is cold, 65F ish. These aren't directions or contradictions, just my experience. Absolutely great video that answered a lot of question I still had even though I was successful.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. It’s possible to use AP or other flours but many people struggle with them. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@supernoobsmith5718]

I still believe in your teachings though. I think you're doing best practices, and I'm learning A LOT from you, much appreciated. Your testing methods are from another world. Loving it. And I'm directing people to you left and right. As well as finding it interesting to troubleshoot what they might be doing wrong based on your knowledge. Really great work. @@thesourdoughjourney

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks 🙏

[@jo-qc1no]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@thesourdoughjourney I also used bleached AP flour because that’s all I could get during the pandemic. I successfully made a starter which is still strong and active and used every week. I didn’t find you until later but I was lucky enough to follow another YT video (made a few years before the pandemic) which also advocated starting with small amounts and not discarding for the first 2-3 days. I kept detailed notes and observed all the steps you described. Thank you, Tom, for your thoroughness and precision regarding all things sourdough. I refer to your videos whenever I have questions and recommend your channel to friends who are interested in starting their own sourdough journeys.

[@AYFU2]

I wish I found your channel 6 days ago. Lucky for me I didn't discard and have actually been doing things as I should more or less. Great video. Very informative. Thank you ! ❤

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you.

[@lauraharper9340]

I've been following your method for 3 days now. So far so good. I'm anxious to see what happens over this journey with so much possibility for varied results 😅 I really appreciate how straight forward you speak and how well you explain what's happening at each stage. As someone who wants to know the "why" behind everything, it's extremely helpful in keeping me sane 😂

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you 🙏

[@AnuRadha-fi8vx]

I'm from Sri Lanka🇱🇰, in our country we love bread.for the first time I made the sourdough starter in your recipe. thank you so much. You are a good teacher. once again thank you so much 🙏

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you

[@kristinkleifgen9814]

Best guide ever. I struggled with my first sourdough starter and this has been so much easier (just finished day 4). Thank you! I also weakened my last one with over feeding- now I know what I was doing and won’t repeat!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks! Good luck.

[@mrs.p.studge4349]

Ok I went out and bought whole wheat and bread flour. Mixed 300g each, did the 75g of blend and 75g of water. I even got wide mouth jars with a lid. So I'm excited to start a different starter. Yes I listened to other people and used AP flour and I didn't give it time to bubble and fed too early. That AP flour one is just starting to bubble and I haven't fed it in 2 days. I just appreciate your videos so much! I've gone to your site and printed out a lot of the info. I have the guide on my fridge now. 👍 Thank you so much!!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Good luck.

[@mrs.p.studge4349]

@@thesourdoughjourney we have achieved false rise!! Muahahaha! I've watched your videos over and over. Your brother had me laughing so hard! Great videos!! I no longer watch anyone else except for you when it comes to sourdough.

[@ACottageGirl]

Tom, I hear your voice in my head every morning as I get up to check my starter 😁which is currently being strengthened per your instruction in the 6 day video. 🤞 I am finding that for me, I have to jump in with both feet, try all kinds of methods and fail…. THEN start understanding the science behind what is happening. Your videos have been such a HUGE help to understanding sourdough starters especially. Thank you for following your passion to understand sourdough and passing that info along to us. Much appreciation sent your way! 🍞

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you! 🙏

[@MarkKrebs]

that's me too. I think the variations help US learn the same way he does, by experimental variations.

[@Prazzie]

I really could have used this video last year, when I became involved in a disagreement on social media regarding when to discard and feed while creating a new starter. The other person was flat out wrong and I gave up arguing with them when they justified their opinion by stating they're in the same Facebook group as Tom Cucuzza and therefore knew more than me! 😅 Thank you very much for all your informative videos. It's much appreciated.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

thank you. That’s funny. I’m often misquoted in those groups.

[@FullMoonMommy]

I’m so glad I found this video today (day 3) of making my first starter. The information you’ve shared here is so valuable. I particularly appreciate your efforts to emphasize the importance of proper storage to avoid harmful bacteria. I have a young child and would be devastated to learn that something I fed him was contaminated by my own lack of knowledge.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. Good luck.

[@battlecore501]

New subscriber. Loves this. I am less than a beginner in journey of bread. This was beyond helpful! Positive that I will be watching this video atleast a bakers dozen more times!!👍👍

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks,

[@ClaireHouston-w1i]

Thank you for all of your help! I just started my second starter based on your recommendations. I love the science behind it.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks.

[@DA-nq6gs]

Thank you for these sourdough teaching videos. I just tossed out my third try at creating a starter. Your videos explains so much more than I have found elsewhere. I'll be trying again with new understanding.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks.

[@laurensmiley4708]

You, Sir, are AWESOME! I am giving it another try at making my own starter after watching and learning from YOU ❤

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. Good luck. Please report back on your progress.

[@jacquelineamom9517]

Thankyou for the in depth explanation. I watched many other videos and websites to troubleshoot my starters but failed until I saw yours. I am in a warm climate so temperature is not too much a concern. I used Rye flour for 1 starter and keto flour for another starter. I found that the keto flour took much longer so I almost gave up(18 days to see some bubbles). Luckily I saw your videos and waited patiently. Finally it bubbles up but not yet peak at 4-8 hours. It bubbles up to double in 12 hrs after feeding. For the rye starter it doubled in 8 days. I guess I shall wait a few days more before I can make my first bread🤭Anyway Thankyou!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Good luck!

[@BJAnderson]

Part 2 of the best sourdough starter advice that exists on the web. Thank you very much!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you.

[@RenAtkins]

Thank you! I didn't find this until I was a few days into my sourgough starter journey, and I was on the verge of throwing it out because it smelled weird. I'd also been following instructions that were 'discard half, then add 50g water and 50g flour', which didn't feel right to me. Understanding the correct ratio and the journey through bacteria proliferation, and then the development of lactic acid, has been really helpful. My starter is on day 8 now and doing great, although I plan to give it a few extra days to make up for the less than ideal start it got off to.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Good luck!

[@geesahn1]

This is so helpful. So many other resources said to just feed feed feed your slow starter, I did this and just slowed everything down even more. The waiting and watching makes way more sense. The only thing I'm still struggling with is feeding ratios. The only way I get lots of bubbles and a rise to ALMOST double is if I keep more starter than I feed it. For example 125 starter to 60g flour 60g water. When I try to increase the food by moving to a 1-1-1 it slows right down again. So many people say I should be able to move towards a 1-2-2 or more like 50 starter to 100g flour 100g water but I don't know how to transition to that.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

I would try to get to 1:1:1. 1:2:2 is unnecessary. Feeding less than 1:1:1 can build up acidity which actually slows your starter down.

[@geesahn1]

@@thesourdoughjourney ok, I will try, thank you!!

[@TheChenneh]

This incredibly helpful! I had a failed attempt using APF and RO water. Started over using methods outlined here and im on track to having a successful starter 🎉🎉🎉

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Good luck.

[@debragrimes4085]

Thank you for such an in-depth explanation of this process. I'm on day 5 of a previously started starter that had a beautiful "false rise" and then on day 4 fell flat. Now, I feel there is hope! Thank you, again!!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you.

[@mamabear52]

Thank you so much, I've tried off and on for a year with limited success. Moved on to other projects. I used the half-pint jar with the lid you have and am glad you mentioned about mold contamination with the coffee filter BECAUSE I had no idea and that makes sense. The problem now is that with the filter I finally woke up about the 8th day and smelled the essence of actual bread as I entered my kitchen. I like the lid better as fruit flies have been seen on top of the coffee filter and that can't be too sanitary. Also with the filter, it dries out the surface layer a lot in one day.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. Good luck.

[@vickiwootton-c5y]

After spending 3 weeks on my starter journey this is the most informative video yet 😀 I have been over bulking and using the delicious smelling starter for pizza bases etc which have been amazing but still no rise to bake 😩 I will follow your method from now 👍🏻

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. 🙏

[@davidm7336]

Had a 30 day old starter that never matured because I kept feeding it too early. Then I came across your videos, realized what I was doing wrong, and decided to start over. I left a 50% wheat 50% bread flour starter mixture for several days (stirring every 24 hours) on the counter but it never had its false rise. It ended up just separating and being very wet for some reason. Since at one point you said that most of the yeast of any starter comes from the initial 3 days, I decided to use 100% wheat flour as the initial starter, and then would feed that 50/50 mixture after the initial 72 hour mark - since that's when it would actually need the extra food (bread flour). Happy to report that it's only been a day and a half and I woke up to a good false rise. Going to check it again in a few hours to see if it might be close to peaking so I get an idea of when I might feed it.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Great. Good luck!

[@davidm7336]

I'm on ~day 26 and I think today was the first day that it fully doubled and it took over 10 hours. I haven't had an issue with bubbles and it's risen ~150% each day since day 7. However one odd thing is that my starter has been consistently runny. Not a layer of water separation, but similar to melted peanut butter. I can actually pour out my entire discard out of the jar into the trash. I'm not sure if this is because I'm waiting too long to feed it? I wait until I get a full rise and fall before I feed it and get plenty of bubbles on top. Should I be feeding as soon as it begins to fall? I even tried adding more flour to get back to that thick batter consistency, when I would feed, at times but by the end of the daily cycle it would go back to being runny. I have my starter on top of the fridge, and I do see condensation inside the jar, so perhaps it's too warm.

[@davidm7336]

Nevermind, I saw your a couple of your other videos and see now that it's just acidic.

[@francoistourigny3006]

I am really impressed by this huge detail information! I will fallow most of your advice! Thought I already began ! my starter is on the 8 days and it rise in double volume,smell good, smooth not acidic! the only thing that I didn’t understand is the discarded part you got to do every time before feeding! Why and what to do with it! if I understand after 8 days if your starter is growing well and double in size every days you could continue like that and could wait one month before making your first bread, am I right or wrong! Thank you so much😊

[@johncarter4411]

My false start happened on day 2, super excited because it is matching everything you say for day 3, I'm doing what you say for the phase it's at, not what day it's on.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Excellent.

[@johncarter4411]

Okay, I'm still at it and my starter looks like it's a success, on day 9, but it's more like day 8. And it smells so much better now ! Thanks for helping me be patient in getting one started. It has been a fun experience. Hoping to bake with it this weekend.

[@Aaron71304]

I wish this video was out a couple of weeks ago! I was able to get past the flat starter, temperature restraints, and feeding cycles. Everything I had trouble with, you covered in this video. There was a Japanese gal and an German woman who I combined their method with your original method and I had a breakthrough. I always remembered what you said about feeding. One can always hurt of weaken their starter if they feed too early. I ended up with a massive jar of waste but when I wasn't sure in the day 4-5 period after several failings, I fed without a discard and it ended up breaking through. This video would have been everything that I needed and will be all that anyone else will need.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you!

[@Aaron71304]

@@thesourdoughjourney A little more clarity or your consumption, I used 100% whole grain spelt; I surmised that was the limitations of the ancients so I had to do it as they did. To be clearer, it seems that mine was too acidic after watching this video. Somehow I missed from your previous videos and henceforth what you emphasized on this one that the huche could only come after a cycle. On my fifth attempt, and after the bacteria jump, within 4 hours of the yeast growth I started feeding without discarding every 4-6 hours a tablespoon of whole spelt and adding water until it was a pancake batter consistency. You can imagine how quickly the excess buildup became. My shipment of rye berries showed up at this time as well and I started it. What I learned from the other girls I mentioned was the stirring it up whenever it looked wet or dry on top. That seem to have a positive effect on the Rye whole starter. I also started a new spelt whole starter and I started using a hold back of 83% ratio considering that spelt has an 83% flour density in its berries. Then the food would not override the base of the retained starter because I calculated it at a lower percentage, and I think that’s where my acidic value got over ridden. With your experience, I’m sure you would understand it more but suffice to say that your video will save a lot of people a lot of flour😁🫡

[@Aaron71304]

@@thesourdoughjourney with all of your wonderful work, I don’t wanna presume on your time, but somehow, if you could explain a little more clearly, the values of a 1:1:1 to 1:2:2, …. 1:5:5 You explained it general in a couple other videos, and after watching those other videos many times it seems like I’m not left with confidence of understanding how it builds strength without waste or was I actually building strength or tastes ? Why do some people recommend 1:1:1 and others 1:5:5? If you have time🙏 Thank you again for all your massive efforts into your videos, and how much they truly teach and reveal.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

You can find more info in the FAQs here. thesourdoughjourney.com/faq-starter-maintenance/

[@Christine-rk8xb]

I started mine with pineapple juice instead of water (whole wheat flour). It sprung to life at 3.5 days, but smells sweet and toasty. (It lives in a toaster oven with an 80 degree proof setting.) Was this first rise possibly not “false”? I read that the pineapple juice bypasses the stinky stage. Just discovered your website and videos. Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you and well done!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Yes. That method often skips the false rise. Yours may be ready in closer to 7 days. Don’t let it stay above 80 for long periods of time. Too warm.

[@jessicakeeney2343]

Woke up on day 3 to the false rise!!! So excited 😊 🤗 🤪

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Good luck!

[@chulada03]

Thank you for the tips, I learned a lot today

[@thesourdoughjourney]

You are so welcome!

[@jnoga5]

You had me at International Institute for the Advancement of Sour Dough!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

😀

[@betsyintheloop7601]

You are such a good brother and helpful to me as a senior citizen beginner of making my own sourdough starter per your help. I am daisey (betsyintheloop) who just donated money for your excellent knowledge and time helping all of us. thank you.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you so much. I appreciate the support.

[@Tractor36]

Oh my. I wish I found your videos before the others I’ve used as a guide as a newbie. So informative and helpful. Hoping my third attempt at this will be a success with your explanation! Subscribed.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. Also check out my website at thesourdoughjourney.com

[@a_gabrielle_w]

Thank you so much! I have so much confidence in my starter now!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Good luck 👍

[@judyblaise1639]

Great video. Learned quite a bit in this video. I’m on day 3 of new starter and I guess I had my false rise this morning. I was so excited and It smelled good. I guess I can feed tomorrow. I used rye flour and buttermilk to make my starter.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Sounds good.

[@theoneandonly1158]

So his is my second try of my starter journey.1st try it was pure paint acetone smell. I trashed it after two weeks. Now I tried your method. Everything was going fine until it stalled. It's 2 weeks. Doesn't smell bad nor good. Some bubbles but not a lot. I need to buy a different bag of WW flour and see how that goes. In the mean time. I purchased King Arthur starter and I'm in love❤😂. How can I be in-love with yeast idk but OMG. It smells perfect. When I first opened the little jar it smelled like yeast beer. 😊 I thought: WOW I never smelled anything so divine before ( baking wise). It doesn't compare to the package yeast. And I use all purpose flour to feed it. Straight all purpose and it's not fussy. Today is my second feeding and its amazing already. I'll probably have 1 AP and 1 WW and bread flour. Because why not.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

The KA starter is excellent.

[@wanpy9045]

Thank you so much for the detail information. Much appreciated.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dawno5656]

Thank you so much! Finally answers to all of my questions, and in one video

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks!

[@scottbarrett4753]

perfect timing. The kids want to get back into baking bread again. We are 2 days in on new starter. This is great info.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. Also check out my website. Great info there too. thesourdoughjourney.com/faq-starter-creation/

[@jimtale3693]

Tom knows sourdough like no one else. After the second try at my starter I decided to watch the troubleshooting video and reviewed everything he says. It turns out that the whole wheat flour I am using expired in July of 2023. Based on what he talks about, I think the flour is probably missing a lot of what’s needed for the starter to feed. That’s why I’m not getting the activity that is supposed to happen! After looking through various other sites, I now only check out one, Tom’s. It is the most accurate and fact based source for everything sourdough! Thanks Tom for saving me time and money, and here I was trying to understand why it’s taking sooooo long for me to get my starter going!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you!

[@kyukyu1909]

I'm definitely going to try this method. I did like what everyone did I feed my starter, discard and feed it again. There's lil bubbles, there's liquid but no rise :') wish me luck

[@user-ey9bt7fs6n]

Love the new video. Always great educational data. When the Institute has time I would love to see data on every other week bakers starter starting from a nice rest in the fridge.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. I’m working on a “fridge maintenance” video. Coming soon.

[@elainefisher747]

This has answered all my questions. It’s the best sourdough starter video out there. Thank you.

[@Stacy999]

Best info ever. Thank you.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you so much.

[@aliciakathreine7003]

Strong introduction!! Thank you :)

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks.

[@larinabowers6449]

Thank you, Tom! You're the BEST! 🍞

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks! 🙏

[@0703la]

Hi! Thank you for this tutorial. I just this morning made my first starter following instruction in your previous video. In this episode you mention that in the early days of building the starter separation may occur but I didn’t hear you say what to do about it, if anything. Should the liquid be stirred back in or would it be time to start over? Thanks again for the fine instructional videos.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. Yes, just stir it back in. Stirring never hurts a starter, in general.

[@0703la]

@@thesourdoughjourney thank you for replying so promptly.

[@rickardkarlsson4437]

No clue where I first heard this, or if its even accurate, but I recalled that "the fastest way to cultivate yeast is to just put some fruit in water for a few days." So in the name of science I put 50g of grated apple and 50g of water in a jar and let it sit in my proofer at 82f for 3-4 days. Then I sifted out the pieces of apple, added another ~50g of water, and mixed this liquid with 100g of a 50/50 mix of whole wheat flour and bread flour. To my astonishment, it rose 3x in height in just over 4 hours. I had managed to create a turbo-charged starter in just a few days. It baked perfectly. The loaves rose in an explosive fashion during baking. I need to replicate this experiment. Maybe it was just a fluke and I got lucky, but man... It really worked this one time. Ive made plenty of starters from scratch the "traditional" way, and even my best ones after weeks/months of care and refeedings have gotten to a point where they reliably rise 2 - 2.5x in ~4 hours. This apple method beat that in just 3-4 days. Would the institute investigate if there's some merit to this, or if I just got lucky somehow!? Thanks for the exceptional content!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. Yes, this is a “yeast water” method. I’ve not tried it and can’t say much about it but I have seen a few people use that method.

[@leemargraf4178]

I’m doing an experiment now. Added a tiny bit of cantaloupe juice to my starter along with the flour. Let’s see what results I get.

[@lindadurand247]

Sorry but that's not a true Sourdough starter, I mean sure it worked and gave you great results, but you don't add yeast to authentic sourdough bread

[@Prazzie]

Modernist Bread had a presentation in which they discuss this approach that you might find interesting. It's under the Sourdough Mythology section, they experimented with raisin water. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nanTm5JoqdRkq5osi=atlRIoU1D59wo7N2

[@arnobmondal9823]

Tom - great video and very useful inputs to anyone that wants to create a sourdough starter. Please do not mind my peripheral observations but I think you went overboard on some technical stuff (Salmonella, etc) - looks good superficially for the unquestioning herd but best leave that to professionally qualified scientists. Be that as it may - this is a great value added tutorial!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank for the feedback.

[@camillemarshall6025]

I’m from the Caribbean and on the first day I had a massive rise to the top of the jar and water separation. I discarded and fed and now I’m on day 5 and I’ve been feeding since day one. Everyday I’ve seen a rise and fall and bubbles to the top after the fall

[@thesourdoughjourney]

That sounds great.

[@camillemarshall6025]

@@thesourdoughjourney oh that’s music to my ears! However, I had to feed it this morning, twelve hours later from yesterday’s feeding because it rose and fell during the night

[@TasteTrekTony]

This is one of the most comprehensive and detailed starter videos I've seen. I've had multiple failed attempts and starting from scratch using your materials. Question, I know you're essentially doing a 1:2:2 using 25G:50G:50G. This will give you a little more than 100G of starter. What if the recipe I'm using calls for 200G of starter. Can I just discard all but 50G so I can do 50G:100G:100G?

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Yes. Keep a small amount each day, the when you need more for dough, bulk it up to the amount you need plus a little extra in the last feeding before you add it to the dough. You can increase the size of your starter by 20x in one night with one big feeding.

[@debbybrady1246]

This is the best video I’ve seen on sourdough!❤

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. 🙏

[@englishfoodie_uk]

i use a heat mat for my starter as my kitchen can get very cold, i set it to 23C and there is a probe in the lid to keep an eye on it with it, the probe also cuts off the heater too. Have seen others use them too.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Yes, that’s a good method.

[@nitish-p3n]

Perfectly explained !!! 👌 Thankyou😊

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks!

[@barrychambers4047]

I once met an old guy a few years back who had been making sourdough for about 40 years. He told me that every time he came across another sourdough maker he would ask them to trade him a smidge of their starter for some of his. He figured the more diverse he could make his starter the stronger it would be. And, I think it makes perfect sense. There are many, many strains of lactic acid bacteria. A few years later I started doing this too. My super starter, Shericka, is now a mixture of perhaps a dozen different starters. There are great starters you can buy for $5 or less. Starters that are 178 years old that can be had for a donation. But, it is fun to make your own starter. My first starter I had for nearly 20 years, before I started adding more strains of starters into my one starter.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

A great idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@leighengland7449]

Tom... I am loving your vidoes! I too, am an identical twin and so am enjoying learning from you both! I am new to this sourdough journey. I attemtped one starter which failed. But I am on Day 3 of my new starter following your instruction and it's lovely so far. There's been some rise and fall, and this morning there are lots of pinholes and a sweet vinegary smell. Fingers crossed it grows as planned. My question... where there has been some rise and fall but now rising again, should I stir, or leave be until tomorrow and start feeding? Thanks for all these amazing videos .... So happy to have them as my teaching on this journey!!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. 🙏 It never hurts to stir it. If in doubt, stir.

[@0703la]

@@thesourdoughjourney you should put that on a tee shurt. When in doubt stir!

[@brynnstits6697]

Thank you so much for this! I started making my starter before finding your channel and I have 2 quick questions… I’m on day 12 of my starter. 1. I’ve been using unbleached, all-purpose flour so far. Can I switch to the 50/50 mixture of bread flour and whole wheat flour? 2. I have a lot more starter than you, probably 2 cups. Should I decrease the amounts to 25 grams of starter, 50 grams of water and 50 grams of flour? I’d really appreciate your help! This is my very first starter 😊

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Yes, and Yes.

[@brynnstits6697]

@ thank you so much!

[@melissamountz4331]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and fun videos 🍞

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks! 🙏

[@melissamountz4331]

@thesourdoughjourney My starter is finally getting active!! Yay! I was also just gifted an established starter. It is fed with all purpose flour. Should I continue to feed it the same kind of flour or can I change flour types the next feed?

[@melissamountz4331]

I did the 50/50 bread flour and whole wheat flour and Austin Flours is very pleased with it 😊 Puff ( the baby) is doubling now within 4 hours

[@ClaireBurns-e1h]

This is unbelievably helpful, thank you so much!!! Just a quick question, do I need to wait for the false rise before doing my first discard/feed? For example my kitchen is cooler, so assuming this may take longer to happen? I have watched this video several times, so apologies if I’ve missed it! Thank you again.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

I would not wait more than one extra day. Stir it at least once a day.

[@soundinducedflow]

You are are sough-dough genius ... and even your shirt appears to have formed a lot of bubbles

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. 🙏

[@sarahjayne2820]

This has worked brilliantly, thank you!! So happy I found your channel. One thing though, do I continue feeding the mother 50% wholegrain and 50% white flour ongoing or switch to just white?

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. Once it is consistently rising, you can gradually switch it over to just white flour.

[@brandiguess4855]

I wish I had seen this before buying my fancy sour dough starter container. this is exactly what happened. I was doing great then at about day 8, layer of mold across the top. I took out the starter every day and rinsed the jar out before putting it back in and feeding it. Luckily this was a starter I made using a different method and it wasnt doing anything anyway. and since it was using up the fancy containiner still I put the one I used your method to creat in a much smaller container. anyways that was a lot of words to say yeah.. those big containers with cloth tops kinda suck.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks. 🙏

[@jeannahanna2330]

Wonderful information as always Tom!! I have created my starter following your method and so far so good! My question after watching this video is...I am on day 14 and I use a 1-2-2 feed each day (as suggested in a previous video) and you suggested a 1-1-1 daily feed in this video....Should I continue to feed my 1-2-2 from here on out as I continue to evaluate my bubble activity or change to 1-1-1? I use a mixture of whole wheat and bread flour for my feeds. Thank you!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

If 1:2:2 is working, stick with it. And I still use the 50/50 blend.

[@jeannahanna2330]

Thank you

[@angelamckenzie9550]

Thank you for another awesome video❤

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks!

[@chandrabrownhines2691]

Great tutorial!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks!

[@desimarie7]

Super helpful!! Thank you

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thanks.

[@peggymartin2660]

Hi tom! Im so glad i stumbled across your video!! Im on day 8 of my first attempt at making a starter, the instructions i followed said to discard and feed every day after day 2 at a 1:1:1 ratio it always bubbles but has never risen! It was started with ww flour and then at each discard was given bread flour and water. Should i just start anew or can i leave my 8 day old unfeed for a few days just stirring then do a 50/50 ww/bread flour and pray for a rise?

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Try the 50-50 mix for 3 days and see what happens.

[@tootseug]

Very helpful!!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chiangsim]

Thank you for the great tips

[@thesourdoughjourney]

You are so welcome!

[@kathyc3485]

Hi Tom! I am very much enjoying your instructional videos. I'm a first time sour starter maker and decent baker who bakes with precision nonsense My question is... I have an almost usable starter that I've used 100% WW flour to establish ( I followed another baker until I found your page) and I plan on using all bread flour flour for my first loaf. Should I transition my starter over to your recommended 50/50 mix before I use it or keep going with the WW until I use it for my first all bread flour flour loaf? Thank again for your great videos. You sure put a lot of time and research in and I appreciate it.

[@kathyc3485]

KZbin censored and removed parts of my comment, which is why my second sentence reads wonky! I complimented my German heritage for being a precision bake and commented on how your no nonsense approach to sour dough baking suited me. KZbin did not appreciate those statements! Beyond silly in my opinion!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

You can use a whole wheat starter to make a loaves with bread flour. If you want to transition to the 50/50 blend, I would do it slowly over a few weeks. 90/10 for a few days, 80/20, etc.

[@kathyc3485]

@@thesourdoughjourney Thank you! In your opinion, is it ok to use the starter during its transition, or is it better to wait until I get it to 50/50. I have patience to wait.

[@kathyc3485]

Further more, do you see a reason or benefit to transition in the first place?

[@thesourdoughjourney]

If it makes good bread, no.

[@kimberlyavila7159]

This was an awesome and incredibly informative video! I unfortunately learned the hard way of needing to be patient, and watched your other video about screwing up your starter by discarding too often and watched your video on my starter’s “day 10” now 3 more days later I’ve finally got a double rise going. Would I consider this a true day 3 now? It’s hard to determine where I am having had all this time go by and now finally getting good activity going.

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Thank you. If you’re at Day 10 I’d give it a few more days to be sure it’s ready.

[@kimberlyavila7159]

@@thesourdoughjourney I was on the up and up, I had 3 days where my starter was doubling, it looked awesome! I was doing your peak to peak feedings …suddenly it’s barely rising above the rubber band line…what could I have done wrong?!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Peak to peak is more for mature starters. A new starter needs a little more runway between discard and refeeding. The yeast is still pretty weak.

[@anitaa9409]

Hi Tom! I wish I watched your video before I started my sourdough journey. I am currently on day 9 of my sourdough starter using the discard half method every 24 hours and havent seen anything , can I just leave it without a feed for 48 hours going forward? I dont want to waste the starter and start over again. Thanks again for the wonderful video!!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Yes. That should work, then start discarding more and feeding the higher ratio.

[@betsyintheloop7601]

I am a beginner 1st time sourdough starter. My starter so far is following your videos. I am on day 8 and will do the wait and do nothing until tomorrow only because I did not have any rise. What should I do on day 9? Should I discard and feed?

[@thesourdoughjourney]

Yes.

[@vestamyers9018]

My progression is slow. On the 3rd day it was a little surface bubbles but also some moisture on top not a lot so I stirred and put back in cool place. This morning of the 4th day showing a small rise and fall but also not a lot of bubbles I stirred it but should I discard and feed or wait another 24 hours. It does have a stronger smell but not awful?

[@thesourdoughjourney]

It never hurts to stir and wait long longer.

[@ewaserpas6697]

Thank you for the video. Was very informational. I started mine with whole wheat flour only prior to seeing this video. Can I continue the process with the discarding after day 4 with the 2 four mixture or would you recommend starting all over?

[@thesourdoughjourney]

100% whole wheat is fine. I’d switch to the blend going forward.

[@ewaserpas6697]

Thank you for the advice and fast reply.

[@debbybrady1246]

Thank you!

[@thesourdoughjourney]

👍

[@juanita2397]

This video is so helpful! I kept adding flour to my starter because I thought it was too watery... I think I need to throw it all out and restart- many people say it needs to be a thick "pancake batter" consistency- is this accurate?

[@thesourdoughjourney]

If you do a 1:2:2 feeding with equal parts flour and water, by weight in grams, it should be pretty thick when you mix it. And it will be much thinner after it rises and falls.