Hi everyone,
I'm new to this website and hope to learn some new things about bread. So, nice to meet you all!
This morning I was incredibly tired (newborn baby in the house), and while I was feeding my 5th version of my starter I accidentally poured freshly boiled water on it.
I usually pour the water from the kettle, when it's cold, but this morning I wasn't thinking straight, and then it happened. I quickly poured out the water and added some cold one, but the jar felt hot anyway.
I'm at day 3 of my sourdough starter, my question is, did I kill it? Should I just trash it all away and start over?
Thanks in advance.
I'd leave it alone for a few days while I start up another one. Even if you killed it, the dead beasties can feed the live ones and the lower pH that you've worked hard to lower is still there. You could just add ( no discard) a spoonful of flour for some fresh beasties and a little water if needed and let it sit for two days stirring occasionally. Race with a new starter and see what happens.
Might want to pour out the cooled boiled water into a standing pitcher for starters & doughs. That way you can avoid pouring directly from the kettle.
These crazy days lead to all kinds of flub ups. Be glad you're not driving! Drivers are doing some pretty stupid things out on the road including running red lights. Stay safe at home. ( The surviving half dead starter beasties just chorused, "Huh?")
Did the boiled hot water set the flour in the starter? Any lumps?
I ended up starting over, there is a shortage of flour where I live and didn't want to waste any of it.
I'm at day 3 of a new one now. The hot water didn't set the flour, maybe because I was quick at pouring it out and it didn't really mix in.
The day after it was very liquid and a lot of hooch had formed at the bottom of the jar, so it was quite hard to remove it too. Hopefully this starter will be successful. I consider myself a good baker for cakes, cookies etc. but haven't managed to make a starter just yet. Fingers crossed!