Good evening, does anyone have a recommendation for cleaning my Weck jars that I keep my starter in? I try not to use too much soap, but even with a bit of scrubbing they seem dingy. I don’t want to use anything that will affect my darling starter!
My starter lives in what might be called 'public housing', a pint mason jar with a plastic lid rather than an upscale Weck 'condo'. If its cage needs cleaning the dishwasher provides the maid service and there seems to be no consequences. The little beasties in the starter or at least their ancestors have survived comet strikes, ice ages, and a bunch of other unpleasantness. Scrub away on that jar and then thoroughly rinse it, even send it through the dishwasher if it has a good rinse cycle.
They’re only a week and a half old and our collective might is fragile! I had a hard time getting my starter started, so maybe I have a bit of new baby syndrome lol.
...I fill my Fido jars with salted water (soaking usually overnight) before cleaning out the remains of any starter. Seems to help the gunk release a bit easier.
i used to never clean it but ever since i stepped up the frequency of feedings, i've been transferring to a clean jar each time-mostly because the jar is far easier to clean. i've seen improvement
I've been using my starter weekly for over 5 years. I never wash the jar, and I never have mold. I use a small, straight-sided jar. After feeding, I wipe the interior glass with wet fingers, then I wipe it dry with a piece of paper towel.
Yah, starter beasties are sticky rascals. I solved the same problem by filling the jar with a solution of vinegar and water. Works great and minimizes the need for much soap. Maybe 1:2 vinegar to water.
and attack with a brush or saved veggie bag. Often have to soak twice and then wash with the rest of the dishes. Hot water and soap with a hot tap rinse. Either in the dishwasher or by hand.
I think I remember in one of my early sourdough classes that the teacher mentioned not to overwash items used for the culture to keep it healthy, so I just wanted to check with the collective brain!
switching jars regularly, at least for me, keeps those dried flakes out too. i am also anal about cleanliness. i never did it until recently & like the results
I've routinely washed jars/containers for starter with soap and water.
Not a lot of soap, but a very through rinse.
I've also washed them in a dishwasher with no adverse effects.
Thanks for the support, Jerry!
Shari
My starter lives in what might be called 'public housing', a pint mason jar with a plastic lid rather than an upscale Weck 'condo'. If its cage needs cleaning the dishwasher provides the maid service and there seems to be no consequences. The little beasties in the starter or at least their ancestors have survived comet strikes, ice ages, and a bunch of other unpleasantness. Scrub away on that jar and then thoroughly rinse it, even send it through the dishwasher if it has a good rinse cycle.
They’re only a week and a half old and our collective might is fragile! I had a hard time getting my starter started, so maybe I have a bit of new baby syndrome lol.
Thanks for the support,
Shari
...I fill my Fido jars with salted water (soaking usually overnight) before cleaning out the remains of any starter. Seems to help the gunk release a bit easier.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will try that!
Shari
My started lives in washed former pickle jars. When one jar gets dirty it goes into the recycle bin and another comes off the shelf.
is full of yucky dirty jars? :)
i used to never clean it but ever since i stepped up the frequency of feedings, i've been transferring to a clean jar each time-mostly because the jar is far easier to clean. i've seen improvement
Thanks for the comment. I like to keep the jars clean, if possible.
Shari
I've been using my starter weekly for over 5 years. I never wash the jar, and I never have mold. I use a small, straight-sided jar. After feeding, I wipe the interior glass with wet fingers, then I wipe it dry with a piece of paper towel.
Glad to know there are no repercussions for not washing, though!
Thanks,
Shari
Yah, starter beasties are sticky rascals. I solved the same problem by filling the jar with a solution of vinegar and water. Works great and minimizes the need for much soap. Maybe 1:2 vinegar to water.
I'm glad to know that vinegar won't harm the culture! Thanks for posting.
Shari
and attack with a brush or saved veggie bag. Often have to soak twice and then wash with the rest of the dishes. Hot water and soap with a hot tap rinse. Either in the dishwasher or by hand.
Thanks for posting.
I think I remember in one of my early sourdough classes that the teacher mentioned not to overwash items used for the culture to keep it healthy, so I just wanted to check with the collective brain!
Shari
Why the need to clean out starter storage jars?
http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/32599/wooden-bowl-permeated-sourdough-starter-culture-years-use-myth
Thanks so much for directing me to this posting! Fascinating to know how things were done in the olden days...
Shari
switching jars regularly, at least for me, keeps those dried flakes out too. i am also anal about cleanliness. i never did it until recently & like the results
Thanks for adding your experiences! I guess I err on the cleanliness side, but I don't want to kill my culture...
Shari