Your sourdough starter isn't dead

If she smells like nail polish remover, she isn't dead. She's hungry. Here's how to bring a neglected starter back.

Here's what we're going to do

01
Pour off the gray liquid.
That's hooch. It's alcohol, it's normal, and it means she's been eating on empty.
02
Throw most of her away.
Keep a heaping tablespoon. This feels wasteful. Do it anyway.
03
Feed 1:1:1 by weight.
Equal parts starter, flour and warm water. Stir, loose lid, room temperature.
04
Feed twice a day for three days.
By day three she should be doubling in four to six hours and smelling like yogurt.
05
Float test.
A spoonful in water floats when she's ready to bake.

Here's where we stop

Pink or orange streaks, or fuzzy mold, and she's done. Throw the whole jar out, don't scrape it. That's the one time it's not worth saving.

LaLa Knows

A little whole wheat or rye in the feed wakes up a sluggish starter faster than anything else on the shelf.

Pour off the gray liquid.