Just found out my yeast was dead for two weeks and I didn't realize it

I kept wondering why my sourdough wasn't rising at all, turns out I stored my jar right above the stove where it gets way too warm. My starter smelled off too but I thought it was just the flour blend I switched to. Has anyone else had a starter go bad from heat like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

walker.andrew1d ago

Had a buddy who kept his starter on top of his fridge, figured it was fine since it was out of the way. After a week his loaves were coming out flat as a pancake and smelled kinda like old gym socks. He finally tasted the discard and nearly gagged, it was straight up sour and boozy. Turned out the heat from the fridge motor was cooking it slowly. He trashed the whole thing and started over, now keeps it in a cabinet away from any appliances.

xena8861d ago

yeah the fridge heat is no joke, @walker.andrew, i had the same issue once and realized the top of my fridge was way warmer than i thought, just move it to a cool dark spot like a kitchen cabinet and you're golden.