I found after years that starters work fine if I leave them in the fridge without feeding (sometimes for weeks) and then prepare and feed them overnight or 1 day before using it.
Depends on whether you allowed your starter to go through 2-3 cycles before putting it in the fridge.
If yes, you’re all clear. Essentially what protects starters and sourdough from going bad is high acidity that they develop. If you give your starter enough time before preserving it, it will retain most of that acidity, allowing you to just feed it again and then use it.
If not, you’re at risk of letting molds and other harmful organisms develop - some of them do grow at fridge temperatures, and if there’s no acidity to stop them, it can be not good.
Anyway, it’s a good practice not to store sourdough for over a week - just in case.
I found after years that starters work fine if I leave them in the fridge without feeding (sometimes for weeks) and then prepare and feed them overnight or 1 day before using it.
would you say that’s dangerous?
Depends on whether you allowed your starter to go through 2-3 cycles before putting it in the fridge. If yes, you’re all clear. Essentially what protects starters and sourdough from going bad is high acidity that they develop. If you give your starter enough time before preserving it, it will retain most of that acidity, allowing you to just feed it again and then use it. If not, you’re at risk of letting molds and other harmful organisms develop - some of them do grow at fridge temperatures, and if there’s no acidity to stop them, it can be not good.
Anyway, it’s a good practice not to store sourdough for over a week - just in case.
thanks for the knowledge! very useful
Always welcome! :)