Sam Whitaker · January 20, 2026
No recipe card, no starter guide, no baking book ever prepares you for the exact moment you lift the lid and discover something growing on your starter that absolutely was not there the day before. They’ll spell out feeding ratios and rise windows down to the hour, but nobody warns you what to do at … Read more
Sam Whitaker · January 19, 2026
The lid barely cracked open before that sharp, boozy tang hit me — sitting right on top of my starter was a thin layer of grayish liquid I hadn’t seen before, pooled like something had gone wrong overnight. This was a starter I’d been babying for three months, and my brain immediately jumped to worst-case … Read more
Sam Whitaker · December 1, 2025
Quick Links: Jump to What You Need Starter Condition Sign to Look For Action Salvageable (Dormant) Dark film (hooch) on top Drain dark liquid, proceed with revival Salvageable (Dormant) Sharp acetone or vinegar smell Continue with 1:1:1 feeding cycle Salvageable (Dormant) Flat after time in fridge Warm to room temp, feed every 12 hours Discard … Read more
