Daily maintenance of a sourdough starter isn’t always practical, especially if you don’t bake frequently. Storing your sourdough starter in the refrigerator is an easy way to slow down its activity and reduce the need for constant feedings, while keeping it ready for future baking.
If you need help creating your own sourdough starter check out this post: How to Create and Maintain a Small Sourdough Starter
Also, check out my recommendations for The Best Jar For Sourdough Starter and instructions for How to Store Your Sourdough on the Counter.
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Why Store Sourdough Starter in the Refrigerator?
- Reduces Feeding Frequency: Instead of daily feedings, the refrigerated starter only needs to be fed about once a week.
- Saves Time and Flour: Less frequent feedings mean fewer ingredients used and less effort required.
- Convenient for Occasional Bakers: If you bake only once a week or less, refrigeration ensures your starter stays viable without constant attention.
- Long-Term Storage Solution: A refrigerated starter can be left dormant for weeks or even months with proper care.
Drowning in sourdough discard? Try one of these delicious recipes: Sourdough Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins, Sourdough Breakfast Recipes, Sourdough Discard Pancakes, Sourdough Nutella Cookies.
Want to reduce your sourdough discard? I recommend trying this No Waste Sourdough Starter Method.
How to Store Your Sourdough Starter in the Refrigerator
Step 1: Feed your starter with equal parts water and flour (by weight) before placing your starter in the refrigerator. A well-fed starter stores better and reactivates more easily when needed.
Step 2: Store your starter in the main compartment of the refrigerator, towards the back where temperatures are slightly colder. The cold temperature will slow fermentation significantly, reducing the need for frequent feedings.
How to Maintain a Refrigerated Sourdough Starter
- Weekly Feedings: If you plan to keep your starter in the fridge for an extended time, feed it once a week to keep it healthy. Discard half, then add equal parts flour and water before returning it to the fridge.
- Long-Term Storage (1+ Months): If leaving your starter for more than a month, consider feeding it a thicker consistency (higher ratio of flour to water) before storing to extend viability.
Tip: If your starter develops a dark liquid (hooch) or a strong alcohol smell, it may need a feeding. Simply stir the hooch back in or pour it off before feeding.
How to Reactivate Refrigerated Starter
When you’re ready to bake, follow these steps to bring your starter back to full strength:
Step 1: Take your starter out and let it come to room temperature.
Step 2: Remove half of the starter and feed it with equal parts flour and water (by weight). Stir well to incorporate.
Step 3: Allow the starter to sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours. If it's been stored for an extended period, it may take longer to show signs of activity.
A healthy starter should begin to show bubbles and expand within the first 12-24 hours. If it remains inactive, proceed with additional feedings as described in step 2 twice daily until it consistently doubles in size within 4-6 hours. You may need to repeat this process for a couple of days.
A fully reactivated starter should rise and fall predictably after feedings, have a pleasant tangy aroma, and pass the float test (a spoonful of active starter should float in water).
FAQs
A healthy starter can last 4-6 weeks without feeding, but it’s best to refresh it weekly to maintain its strength.
Hooch is a sign that your starter is hungry. You can stir it back in for a tangier flavor or pour it off before feeding.
A sour or tangy smell is normal, but if it smells rotten or moldy, it may be best to discard it and start fresh. Having some dehydrated sourdough starter is a great backup in case something goes wrong.
Try feeding it—if it bubbles and rises within 12-24 hours, it's still active. If there’s no response after several feedings, it may be dead.
Expert Tips
- Always use clean utensils to avoid contamination.
- Use a Clear Container: This makes it easier to monitor changes in your starter, such as hooch formation or mold growth.
- Label with Dates: Mark the last feeding date on your jar to keep track of when it needs to be refreshed.
- Mark your container to track how much the starter rises after feeding.
- Store at the Back of the Fridge: The back of the fridge maintains a more stable temperature compared to the door, where frequent opening can cause fluctuations.
- Avoid Metal Containers: Acidic sourdough starter can react with metal, affecting its quality.
- Give It Extra Feedings Before Long Storage: If you know you won’t be using your starter for several weeks, give it a double feeding before refrigerating.
- Be Patient When Reviving: A cold starter may take a few feedings to become fully active again.
More Sourdough Tips
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📖 Recipe
Storing Sourdough Starter in the Refrigerator
Equipment
Ingredients
- sourdough starter recently fed and active
- flour
- water
Instructions
- Feed your starter with equal parts water and flour (by weight) before placing your starter in the refrigerator. A well-fed starter stores better and reactivates more easily when needed.
- Store your starter in the main compartment of the refrigerator, towards the back where temperatures are slightly colder. The cold temperature will slow fermentation significantly, reducing the need for frequent feedings.
Maintaining Refrigerated Sourdough Starter
- Weekly Feedings: If you plan to keep your starter in the fridge for an extended time, feed it once a week to keep it healthy. Discard half, then add equal parts flour and water before returning it to the fridge.
- Long-Term Storage (1+ Months): If leaving your starter for more than a month, consider feeding it a thicker consistency (higher ratio of flour to water) before storing to extend viability.
Reactivating Refrigerated Sourdough Starter
- Take your starter out and let it come to room temperature.
- Remove half of the starter and feed it with equal parts flour and water (by weight). Stir well to incorporate.
- Allow the starter to sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours. If it's been stored for an extended period, it may take longer to show signs of activity.
- A healthy starter should begin to show bubbles and expand within the first 12-24 hours. If it remains inactive, proceed with additional feedings as described in step 2 twice daily until it consistently doubles in size within 4-6 hours. You may need to repeat this process for a couple of days.
- A fully reactivated starter should rise and fall predictably after feedings, have a pleasant tangy aroma, and pass the float test (a spoonful of active starter should float in water).
Notes
- Always use clean utensils to avoid contamination.
- Use a Clear Container: This makes it easier to monitor changes in your starter, such as hooch formation or mold growth.
- Label with Dates: Mark the last feeding date on your jar to keep track of when it needs to be refreshed.
- Mark your container to track how much the starter rises after feeding.
- Store at the Back of the Fridge: The back of the fridge maintains a more stable temperature compared to the door, where frequent opening can cause fluctuations.
- Avoid Metal Containers: Acidic sourdough starter can react with metal, affecting its quality.
- Give It Extra Feedings Before Long Storage: If you know you won’t be using your starter for several weeks, give it a double feeding before refrigerating.
- Be Patient When Reviving: A cold starter may take a few feedings to become fully active again.
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