Sourdough Starter Care: The Practical Guide
Feeding schedules, temperature bands, and what to do with hooch. Everything you need to keep your sourdough starter thriving.
Posted by
Lawrence MacAlpineRelated reading
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Your Starter Is Alive — Here's How to Keep It Happy
Your sourdough starter isn't just a jar of flour and water — it's a living, breathing colony of yeast and bacteria. Treat it right, and it will reward you with strong fermentation, beautiful rise, and incredible flavor. Treat it wrong… and you'll end up with sluggish dough, dense loaves, or worse, a starter that quits on you.
Here's how to keep yours thriving — without turning it into a second job.
1. Feed on a Schedule (and Watch the Clock)
The most common and flexible feeding ratio is 1:5:5 (starter:flour:water by weight). At a cozy 75°F (24°C), that mix will usually peak in about 8–9 hours.
Why it matters: hitting that peak means your starter is full of active yeast and ready to raise dough.
- Cooler room (68°F)? Expect a slower rise — closer to 10–12 hours.
- Warmer room (78°F+)? Things speed up — check around 6–7 hours.
Pro tip: Mark the jar with a rubber band right after feeding. You'll easily see when it's doubled and domed — the sweet spot for baking.
2. Temperature Is Everything
Your starter's pace is controlled by temperature more than anything else. Think of it like cruise control:
- 74–78°F (23–26°C): Fast and healthy fermentation.
- 70–73°F (21–22°C): Slower but still steady.
- Below 68°F: Starter will become sluggish — consider a warmer spot.
A simple trick: store the jar in your oven with the light on (oven OFF) for a gentle, consistent environment.
3. Hooch Happens — Here's What to Do
If you spot a layer of grayish liquid (hooch) on top, your starter is just hungry. You've got two options:
- Stir it back in for a tangier flavor.
- Pour it off if you prefer milder loaves.
Either way, feed promptly and keep a closer eye on your timing.
Bonus: Use a Starter Calculator
Every kitchen is different, and your starter's behavior will change with temperature, flour, and hydration. Tools like the Sourdough Calculator make it easy to dial in ratios and feeding times — no guessing required.
Bottom line: Feed consistently, watch temperature, and learn your starter's rhythm. With just a little care, it'll reward you with strength, flavor, and reliable bakes — every time.