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A sourdough starter placed in a warm spot behind a crockpot filled with hot water.

How To Revive A Sourdough Starter [Troubleshooting Sourdough Starter Problems]

Mel | Missouri Girl Home
Learn how to revive a sluggish and unhealthy starter fast with a healthy feeding schedule, quality ingredients, and a warm environment.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Warming time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Course Bread

Ingredients
  

  • warm unfiltered water
  • unbleached all-purpose flour

Instructions
 

  • The first step in reviving a tired and sluggish sourdough is to feed it.
  • To feed the sourdough starter you will add ¼ cup starter, ¼ cup very warm filtered water, and ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour to a clean glass jar (needs to hold at least 3 cups).
  • Set the sourdough starter in a very warm location, like on a countertop behind a crockpot that is filled with warm water and turn to the low setting.
  • Check for activity in 3 hours. If the starter isn't rising or bubbling, then continue to check it every hour until activity is noted.
  • Feed the starter every 12 hours until the it becomes bubbly and active within 3 hours of feedings. At that point you can decrease feedings to 1 time per day.

Notes

If the sourdough starter continues to be sluggish then replace half of the unbleached all-purpose flour with rye flour for an extra nutrient boost.  
Keyword easy sourdough starter, minimal bubbles in a sourdough starter, reviving sourdough starter, sluggish sourdough starter, sourdough starter not rising