Hi All!
I've been baking the Ken Forkish overnight white bread for years, but with now that I'm home all the time b/c of the current crisis I'm giving sourdough starter a try (like half of America, I think!).
I've had it going for 6 days now. Here's what I've been doing:
4oz flour / 4oz water, stir, cover, wait. // Day 2-4 I kept adding the same amount. It was "supposed" to be ready on Day 5, but didn't fit the description of "doubled in volume with visible bubbles throughout".
So...
yesterday I tossed half of it, and added 4oz flour/4oz water. I put it in a jar so I could watch it better; it grew by 50% or so in about 3 hours, and then fell back down flat. It smells fine.
Today, I did the same thing. Tossed about 1/3 of it, added more flour and water. It's been 2 hours since I added, that's what the picture is of. Sorry for picture quality! Top of the washi tape is where it started right after I added the new flour/water.
What next?? It does pass the "float test" but I'm still hung up on the doubling w/in 24 hours.
Thank you for any advice! I can't WAIT to make bread, the starter smells delicious, I just don't want to waste a ton of flour making bread if it's not going to work.
would be my suggestion. If the culture is alive as you describe, add a cup of water and 2 cups of flour. Wait overnight or so, the use a cup or some other amount to leaven a bread dough to your liking. See how the bread comes out. Meanwhile, add flour and water to the remainder of your culture to keep it happy for the next bread. Over time, the culture should become comfortable and happy in your care and serve you well. The first batch may not be great, but it's likely to be satisfactory, a bridge to better bread.
If measuring by volume - you probably won't see a doubling as the starter will be too watery. Best test would be to make a small loaf and see what happens. Won't hurt anything to try.
If the starter is high hydration, it probably won't double in size, but that doesn't mean it's not ready to bake. I echo other people's suggestions, it seems ready, so give it a go!
Just wanted to say thank you all for the advice, I appreciate it!