Tried sticking my sourdough starter in the fridge for a week instead of feeding it twice a day

I was about to dump my 3 month old starter after a trip to visit my sister in Austin but figured I'd just stash it in the fridge and feed it when I got back, and now it's way more active and tangy than it ever was on the counter. has anyone else found their starter improves after a cold rest?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_shane28d ago

Did you give it a good stir before you put it in the fridge... I heard that helps the yeast settle in for a nap or whatever.

dixon.ryan28d ago

Wait, did you actually stir it or just give it a quick swirl? Because @the_shane might be onto something there, but you gotta do it right. I always give mine a solid stir with a spoon, like really scrape the bottom of the container, before I put it in the fridge. That way the yeast gets evenly mixed in and doesn't just sink to the bottom and form a hard layer. If you just swirl it around like you're mixing a drink, the yeast won't settle evenly and you'll end up with a lumpy mess later. Trust me, I learned that the hard way after ruining a whole batch of dough because I got lazy and didn't stir properly.