S14 E13: How to Bring a Sourdough Starter Back from the Dead

I was forgetting to feed my regularly, so I decided to put it in the fridge and feed it once a week. That works great. Thanks for the video.

I'm so glad you said all of this. I was doing similar things only in secret. Didn't want the family grossed out.

Again, great topic to be highlighting, especially with so many more people baking their own loaves. I continue to keep trying to get a good starter going consistently. It's like a new way of life to keep up an active starter.

Jill, a few days ago I watched your video from 5 yrs ago when you revived a sourdough starter. You inspired me to give it a try.

My daughter was the sourdough baker in our household. She made a starter from scratch and used it to bake bread. She got busy and no longer had time, so in the fridge it went. About 5 months ago she got married and moved across the country.

I have been wanting to try my hand at sourdough, so I thought I'd see if that starter was still usable. Unfortunately, when I checked it the other day, it had dried out completely, like a hockey puck stuck to the insides of the jar.

I started by just adding some water to rehydrate and within a couple days I was able to pour some of the starter into a new jar and begin feeding it. It is not ready yet, but I am working on it! Thanks for your vote of confidence.

I am soooo glad it’s not just me! I have resurrected my “dead black” starter soo many times and it comes right back and I think it won’t be strong enough for bread but it is. I have to laugh with how I used to baby it when I first started using it. Han it’s mighty it can take a lot of abuse and still work! I can’t believe how forgiving it is and I will treat it to certain flours like rye and it just bubbles away.

Girl you are amazing, I watch almost every one of your podcasts. Sometimes I just put you on and do my cleaning for the day…I think you are just that good! Thank you

Great video. I've had sourdough starter in the fridge and didn't have the heart to throw it away. I too have many other projects along with a fulltime job. I wish there was a video to see you go through the process of reviving your starter, maybe next time. Thanks again

Thank you, Jill, for the tips. I have a starter I’m learning to care for.

Oh..I bought your latest book and I love it, and I appreciate your sourdough hints , I just started a started, so fingers crossed, 🤞.
When making started, do you put a lid on it or just loosely cover with a towel?

❤❤❤

Thank you

Blessings+++!!!

Where can I get a good bread knife for sourdough? I have saw on videos some knifes that look like a saw. Do they work, and if they do, where can I get one? What knife would you recommend
And, in case you wonder about your audience, I am 66, ( yikes! In calendar years only!!) hubby and I bought a greenhouse business the year after we were married 46 years ago, ran that for 10 years, always have had a garden, we both grew up with parents who had a large garden and who “put up” the produce.

I get it u mentioning u got into ur way of life before it was cool....I do....but to those of us that also have been there done that and don't at all feel like that is a reason to showcase it all the time, after a while of hearing u say it time and time again to me, it comes off as " I told you so" , and to me I feel like it diminishes u was a person , like u r bragging on yourself.
I too have ignored my sourdough, so I am interested in ur topic 🤗 I just don't know why that comment is necessary in the lead up to it.
And to all the people who r going to comment back to me in Jill's defense, I love Jill's content and her knowledge, so of course I am staying....I feel like Jill is open to constructive criticism, opinions and honesty from her faithful subscribers.