Hello everyone! So, this is my life these days. I'm struggling with making a starter that actually ... works. I'm using the following formula on a 24-hour cycle. Day 1: 25g Einkorn Whole Wheat Flour, 25g Einkorn All Purpose Flour and 50g water at 85 degrees. Day 2: Discard to 50g, add 25g of the Whole Wheat, 25g of the All Purpose and 50g of 85 degree water. Day 3 and onward I repeat what I did on Day 2. The results of Day 1 is that it DOUBLES! The results of Day 2 is that it more than doubles in 5 hours, has "webbing" and it's (somewhat) spoon-able! 😁 On Day 3 however, it turns watery to the point that I can pour it and it only increases 25%. 😒 I've restarted 2x and have had the same results. Should I increase the amount of Flours on Day 3? I keep reading that it's "only" flour and water and it's simple but ... not so much. Ugh... I've tried several "starter processes" by various Youtube "experts" but I've had zero results in creating a starter that works. I understand that temperature is important. My house temperature is 76-78. Sooooo... what gives? 🙄 I'm hoping that someone has the "magic fix." 🙃Thank you!

Help a lady…I searched the message boards and this didn’t come up yet. At day 3 acclimating with Big Mama’s baby starter, it had a strong hootch alcohol smell. So I refrigerated overnight. Day 4 I fed it again instead of baking. Better, more of a wine smell. Day 5 I divided it into 2 quart jars and fed again…now it’s stronger wine smell. I’ll refrigerate overnight but then what? The interwebs say alcohol smell means you need to feed more…so do I do that again?

I’ve been baking one loaf each week for a month or so. They continue coming out dense and a little flat. Any suggestions?

It’s always great to connect. Thanks to those that joined the call to show me your starter & bread and to say hello! You are doing a great job!

Okay, honest question. What got you into sourdough in the first place? Was it a loaf you tasted somewhere and couldn't stop thinking about? A friend who made it look easy? A pandemic rabbit hole you never climbed out of? 😄 What keeps you coming back?