Eat Well ABQ Starter Routine Guide

Sourdough Starter Feeding Schedule for Beginners

Counter starter usually needs frequent feeding. Fridge starter can be fed less often. The right schedule depends on when you want to bake and when your starter naturally peaks.
Build My Starter Schedule Starter Not Rising?

Written and taught by Chef Evangalene Romero · Eat Well ABQ · Albuquerque, New Mexico

Sourdough starter feeding schedule and routine with Eat Well ABQ

Starter Schedule Builder

When do you want to bake?

Choose the scenario closest to your real life. The builder gives you storage, feeding ratio, next check, and bake-readiness guidance.

Live Starter Timeline

Feed. Rise. Peak. Bake.

Your schedule should place peak activity close to the moment you mix dough.
FeedRisingPeakFalling

Same-day plan

Feed now and use near peak.

Keep it comfortably warm, use a moderate feeding, and watch the jar instead of relying on an exact hour.

Feed nowKeep warmCheck riseMix near peak

Feeding Ratio Lab

Choose how long you need before peak.

Ratios are starter:flour:water by weight. Larger feedings generally give the culture more food and can lengthen the time before peak.

Fast refresh

1:1:1 gives a strong starter a shorter cycle.

Use equal weights of starter, flour, and water when you want a quicker refresh and can monitor the rise closely.

Sample Timing Plans

Three schedules beginners can actually use.

These are examples, not rigid promises. Temperature, flour, starter strength, and ratio change the actual peak time.
Morning feed

Feed after breakfast

Watch through the day and mix dough when the starter is expanded, airy, and near peak.

Evening feed

Prepare for tomorrow

Use a ratio that fits your overnight temperature and planned morning mix time.

Fridge wake-up

Start one or two cycles early

Warm and refresh the starter until it shows a convincing rise before asking it to carry bread dough.

Counter vs Fridge

Store it based on how often you bake.

Counter storage keeps starter active but requires frequent attention. Refrigerator storage lowers maintenance but requires wake-up feedings before bread.
Counter

Best for frequent baking. Feed when the starter is hungry and learn its daily rise-and-fall cycle.

Refrigerator

Best for occasional baking. Store cold, then refresh until strength returns before mixing dough.

Warm kitchen

Starter may peak sooner. Increase feeding ratio or move it cooler when timing runs too fast.

Albuquerque air

Keep the jar covered so a dry surface does not interfere with fermentation or your visual read.

Read the Storage Guide Read the Complete Starter Guide
Sourdough starter feeding routine and baking schedule from Eat Well ABQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Starter schedule answers.

Do I need to feed starter every day?
Counter starter usually needs frequent feeding. Refrigerated starter can be fed less often, then refreshed before baking.
When should I feed starter before baking?
Feed early enough for the starter to become expanded, bubbly, airy, and near peak when you plan to mix dough.
Which feeding ratio should I use?
Use 1:1:1 for a faster cycle, 1:2:2 for a balanced feed, and larger ratios such as 1:3:3 or 1:5:5 when you need more time before peak.
What if my starter peaks too fast?
Use a larger feeding ratio, reduce the percentage of old starter, or place it somewhere slightly cooler.
What if it peaks too slowly?
Use a smaller feeding ratio, provide comfortable warmth, and confirm that the starter is healthy and strong.
How do I wake starter from the fridge?
Bring it out, let it warm, feed it, and repeat as needed until it rises strongly and predictably again.

Ask Chef Evangalene

Need help fitting starter into your schedule?

Leave a public question about ratios, counter care, refrigerator wake-up, peak timing, or planning around work and sleep.
Contact Eat Well ABQ

Build the Rhythm, Then Bake

A simple routine makes starter easier to trust.

Choose a schedule that fits your life, feed with intention, and use the starter near peak instead of chasing a universal clock.
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