This calculator helps home bakers determine the exact amounts of flour and water needed to feed their sourdough starter based on its current weight and desired hydration. It’s designed for everyday kitchen management, ensuring your starter stays healthy and ready for baking. Use it to plan feedings, adjust recipes, and maintain consistency in your sourdough routine.
Sourdough Starter Feeding Calculator
Feeding Breakdown
Enter values and click Calculate to see results.
How to Use This Tool
Enter your starter's current weight in grams, set your desired hydration percentage, and choose a feeding ratio from the dropdown. If you need a custom ratio, select "Custom" and enter the flour and water ratios. Click "Calculate Feeding" to see the exact amounts needed. Use the reset button to clear all fields and start over.
Formula and Logic
The calculator uses the feeding ratio to determine flour and water amounts based on your starter's weight. For a 1:1:1 ratio, equal parts of starter, flour, and water are used. Hydration is calculated as (water weight / flour weight) * 100. The tool adjusts for unit conversions between grams and ounces.
Practical Notes
- For active baking, a 1:1:1 ratio is common; adjust for slower fermentation with 1:2:2 or 1:3:3.
- Always use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the starter.
- Cost considerations: Flour and water are inexpensive; bulk buying flour saves money.
- Unit conversions: 1 ounce ≈ 28.35 grams; use consistent units for accuracy.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare feeding ingredients in advance for quick daily maintenance.
Why This Tool Is Useful
This tool simplifies sourdough starter management by providing precise measurements, reducing waste and ensuring consistent results. It helps home bakers maintain a healthy starter without guesswork, saving time and improving baking outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my starter weight is very small?
The tool works for any weight above 1 gram. For very small starters, consider scaling up to a larger batch for easier handling.
Can I use this for different flour types?
Yes, the calculations are based on weight, so they apply to any flour type (all-purpose, whole wheat, etc.). Adjust hydration if using absorbent flours.
How often should I feed my starter?
For daily baking, feed once every 12-24 hours. For storage, feed weekly and refrigerate. Adjust based on your kitchen temperature.
Additional Guidance
Monitor your starter's activity after feeding; bubbles and rise indicate health. If it smells off or shows mold, discard and restart. Keep a feeding log to track patterns and improve your routine.