Sourdough · Fix it

Fix your sourdough

Pick what is actually happening. Every card links straight to the cause and the fix, not a general guide.

Starter not risingLittle or no rise after feeding Won't riseLittle to no oven spring Gummy crumbDamp, tacky slice even after cooling Dense, no oven springTight, heavy crumb throughout Starter not doublingSluggish or flat after feeding Dough too slack to shapeSpreads instead of holding a round Sour taste, too strong or weakFlavour is off in either direction Flat after fridge proofLoses shape overnight in the fridge Burst or blown-out loafSplits somewhere other than the score
Symptom, most likely cause, and where to read more
SymptomMost likely causePage
Starter not rising Little or no rise after feeding Sourdough Starter Troubleshooting
Won't rise Starter wasn't active or ripe enough when mixed Why is my sourdough not rising
Gummy crumb Under-baked, oven ran cooler than expected Why is my sourdough crumb gummy
Dense, no oven spring Under-fermented in bulk Dense sourdough loaf, no oven spring
Starter not doubling It's too cold Why is my starter not doubling
Dough too slack to shape Hydration too high for the flour's gluten strength Sourdough dough too slack to shape
Sour taste, too strong or weak Long, cool fermentation, particularly an extended cold retard Sourdough sour taste too strong or too weak
Flat after fridge proof Fridge not cold enough, ferment continued too fast overnight Sourdough flat after fridge proof
Burst or blown-out loaf Score too shallow, or dough had more spring than the score allowed for Burst or blown-out sourdough loaf

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