My sourdough starter straight up died after a week in my cold Denver kitchen

I left it on the counter like usual, but we had a random cold snap and my house temp dropped to 62 degrees. Came back to a gray, watery mess that smelled like old paint. Anyone know a good way to keep a starter warm without buying a special gadget?

2 comments

2 Comments

ninam761mo ago

Denver kitchens in winter are no joke for sourdough. That gray paint smell is the worst, total heartbreak after a week of care. King.river is right about the top of the fridge, that spot saved my starter last year. I also used my microwave as a proofing box, just by keeping a big mug of boiling water in there with the jar. The trapped steam keeps it warm and humid for hours. You just have to remember not to turn it on.

king.river1mo ago

Oh man, that cold snap is a killer. My starter went totally dormant last winter in my drafty apartment (the kitchen was basically a fridge). Wrapping the jar in a towel and putting it on top of the fridge helped a bit, since the motor gives off a little warmth. Some people use the oven with just the light on, but I'm too forgetful for that. A cheap seedling heat mat can work too, if you're looking for a set-it-and-forget-it fix.