That time my sourdough starter died at a wedding in Portland

I was at my cousin's wedding in Portland last June and left my sourdough starter with my sister for 4 days. I told her to feed it every morning and keep it on the counter. She put it in the fridge day one and forgot about it. When I got back there was orange liquid on top and it smelled like acetone mixed with rotten fruit. I tried to revive it by feeding it twice a day for a week but it never bubbled again. Lost about 6 months of work on that starter because someone couldn't follow 2 simple instructions. Has anyone else had to trash a starter after a trip and start from scratch?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jordan3h ago

UGH that is SO painful! I lost my beloved 2 year old starter the EXACT same way after a weekend trip.

faitha403h ago

I mean, isn't a dead starter just an excuse to finally try a new, better recipe?