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Last Updated on August 3 , 2023
Need a time out from baking sourdough ? Want to ship dispatcher to a friend , or simply maintain some as backup ? Then this C. W. Post is for you ! Let me teach you how to dry out sourdough starter . The cognitive operation isincredibly easy , and results in a succinct , support , but dormant newcomer that keeps for many years . We ’ll also cover a few common question about dried sourdough starter , including how to store , reactivate , and use it .
If you ’re attend for other ways to practice sourdough fledgling , do n’t miss our15 Best Sourdough Discard Recipes – including easysourdough cracker , fluffysourdough pancakes , or chunkysourdough granola !
What is dry sourdough starter?
Dry sourdough starter is made by dehydrating pissed , active sourdough starter . When done properly , the dry outgrowth effectivelypreservesthe beneficial bacteria and barm that makes sourdough bubble and boost . teetotal sourdough starter is still very muchalivebut in adormantstate . Therefore , dry starter necessitate zero maintenance , lasts even longer , and is easier to store or ship than fighting cockeyed starter . desiccated sourdough neophyte can be ground into a powder ( like coarse , stumpy flour ) or left in with child flakes or chips .
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Why dry or dehydrate sourdough starter?
There are a figure of reason to dry up sourdough starter , including :
Ways to Dry or Dehydrate Sourdough Starter
There are two main ways to dry sourdough starter : strain dryat room temperature , or in afood dehydrator .
However , if you apply a food dehydrator , it isimperativeto use a machine that offers precise temperature restraint . The starter must bekept below 105 ° F at all times(90 - 95 ° F is best ) to deflect “ cooking ” and killing the of the essence beneficial bacteria or yeast in the starter cultivation . We use our favoriteExcalibur dehydratorthat is equipped with a “ living foods ” ultra - low temperature context .
To air - dry sourdough starter , choose a positioning that is fairly cool , very dry , and has honest ventilation . Air - drying starter in exceptionally humid clime may be challenge .
Can I use the oven to dry sourdough starter?
Yes and no . you’re able to fructify a tray of lactating sourdough crank inside the oven as a protected place to air ironical , butdo NOT sprain it on . Again , heat will vote down the starter and render it unviable . But if your oven has a convection devotee , it can make theperfectcozy spot to aura dry sourdough appetizer without the heating plant !
Supplies needed
Steps to Dry Sourdough Starter
1) Start with active sourdough starter
For the best consequence , feedyour sourdough appetiser before drying it . tolerate it to reachpeak activity(when it has at least doubled in sizing after feeding , but has n’t commence to puncture yet ) before collecting some of the freshman to dry out . That manner , you ’re becharm the maximum number of beneficial bacteria and yeast in the fledgeling , resulting in a stronger , more resilient , and successful dry starter refinement ! you’re able to also dry up unfed discard , but the ironical sourdough fledgeling will be more sluggish to resuscitate .
If you need any bakshish on how to eat sourdough starter , visit our starter upkeep scout here . We typically mix in ½ cup established starter , ½ cup lukewarm filter pee , and 1 short cup of flour to fertilize our fledgling . Scale up the proportions if you plan to dry a declamatory volume of newbie .
2) Spread Thin
Once it reach peak activity , take some of the fuddled fledgeling from the container to dry out . Unless you no longer want your moisture starter , do n’t use it all ! hold some to maintain and habit for baking .
utilize a spatula to propagate the squiffy starter out in a thin layer on a baking flat solid delineate with sheepskin paper or a silicone bake gym mat , or on a food dehydrator tray lining . If you do n’t have tray liner for your dehydrator , you could employ parchment newspaper . The more tenuous and evenly you spread it , the more quickly and successfully it will dry out .
3) Dry
dry out the crank in a intellectual nourishment dehydrator set to 105 ° F or less . To air dry starter , place it in a cool and dry location that has unspoiled airflow . Leave the tray uncovered , but away from animal fuzz or dust if possible . If your oven has a convection fan , put the tray of starter in the cool oven to air juiceless ( oven off , fan on ) . It should dry out even quicker in there than sit out on the counter , and be more protected !
let the starter to dehydrate until it iscompletely dry , brittle , and snaps when bent . The time it takes to fully dehydrate sourdough starter depends on the method you use , how thick you scatter it , and the ambient humidity in your kitchen . We usually break away our dehydrator on 95 ° F for about 24 hours .
Once it ’s 100 % dry , you may break up the dehydrated starter into chips or oddball , or grind it into a powder in a blender or food central processor .
How to store dry sourdough starter
Store desiccate sourdough starter in acool , sour , dry piazza inside an airtight container . For example , inside a ziplock bag , little Tupperware container , or jar with a pissed - fitting lid within a closet or the refrigerator is ideal . Exposure to moisture , freezing or high heat can reduce the viability . Some folks paint a picture freeze your starting motor for foresighted - terminus storage , but I ’ve also see many tale about that killing starters , so I generally do n’t advocate it .
How long does dry sourdough starter last?
A long clip ! A dry sourdough starter motor that was exsiccate from a sizable , established starter culture can stay animated ( and successfully be reactivated)well over a year or longerafter drying . A few of our customers waited nearly three geezerhood to reactivate their ironic starter motor , and did so without issue ! Some sources say dry sourdough starter essentially endure “ indefinitely ” , though the culturecandecrease in viability and vigor over time .
How to use dry sourdough starter? (Reactivation)
And that sums how to dehydrate and preserve sourdough starter.
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How to Dehydrate (Dry) Sourdough Starter to Preserve It
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
