Why would you put your starter in the refrigerator?

There are several reasons for storing your starter in your refrigerator:

1. You don’t bake regularly, so you don’t want to feed it every day.
2. You’re going on vacation.
3. You want a backup for your regular starter in case something goes wrong.

Storing your starter in your refrigerator couldn’t be easier, and even if you bake every day, you should store one for reason #3 above.

When it’s time to feed your starter, make two new jars of starter instead of one. After two hours, take one of the jars and put it in your refrigerator. It will last 2-3 months in your refrigerator, but we recommend changing it every month just to be safe.

How to use a refrigerated starter

We’ve read about bakers using their starter straight from the refrigerator, and it would probably make an okay loaf of bread because it will have leavening power. However, our advice is to feed it two or more times according to your normal feeding schedule before you want to add some to your dough.