Sourdough starter

[Lilmisssunshine7]

My attempt at a sourdough starter failed miserably. Top tips please!!

Try again, but don't keep it in the fridge, and only put the lid on loosely. It needs to catch the yeasts flying through the air (I think). My problem was never making the starter, it was making the bread with the starter!

Thank you! I had it in a Kilner jar type thing so it was air tight. Will try letting it get a bit more air. it didn't bubble at all, so I just abandoned it and didn't even attempt making the bread.

feed it every 12-18 hours, leave in relatively warm place -add enough flour so that it is the same thickness as single cream, Patience and more patience.
x

Rye flour rather than ordinary. Check it on whenever you can. If it smells nail varnishy, take out some of the mixture and replace with fresh flour/water. Don't add anything else to it. Kilner jar is fine if using rye as the whole grain has yeast. If all is well it will smell sort of fruity.

I used regular white bread flour for my starter and covered it with a clean tea towel for the allotted time. I think it took a few days

Thanks for the tips - I will have another go!

Sourdough depends on wild airborne yeast so if it's covered they can't get in. The type of flour isn't important but dropping an unpeeled apple into the mix can help as yeasts collect on the skin (so don't wash it). In a warm place it will start bubbling in a couple of days. Paul Hollywood is good as is HFW

I too failed on my first attempt then eventually had success using this HFW recipe. It's definitely worth persevering - the end result is amazing and feels like a real achievement! I also found online tutorials helped with shaping and general useful tips. Good luck!