Tried a new trick for keeping my sourdough starter active during a vacation

I was going to be gone for 8 days and didn't want to ask a neighbor to feed it. I mixed 20 grams of starter with 100 grams of water and 100 grams of whole wheat flour, let it sit out for an hour, then stuck the whole jar in the back of my fridge. When I got home, it was a bit gray on top but one feeding brought it right back to life. Has anyone else tried a long cold nap for their starter? How long did yours last?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancy1541mo ago

That's basically how I treat all my houseplants before a trip too. Just give them one big drink and hope for the best.

diana721mo ago

My peace lily got the pre-vacation flood treatment last month. I came back to find it looked more like a sad, green noodle than a plant. It did bounce back, but I'm pretty sure it's judging me now. I have a spider plant that seems to thrive on the neglect, though.

rosek731mo ago

Wait, so you basically put your sourdough in a coma and it just woke up like nothing happened? That's wild. Your starter is tougher than my old cell phone that I had to keep on life support with a charger. I've never tried the cold nap trick myself, but now I'm tempted to see if my starter can handle a week in the fridge without throwing a fit. Sounds like yours is a real survivor, probably plotting its revenge with a bit of extra sourness.