09/16/2026
Your sourdough starter is always moving through the same cycle:
FEED → RISE → PEAK → FALL
The key is learning what each stage looks like so you know when to bake and when to feed again.
If your starter lives on the counter, this cycle usually happens within about a day, though warmer kitchens move faster and cooler kitchens move slower.
If your starter is kept in the fridge, the process slows way down. It stays inactive much longer and usually won’t follow this same quick rhythm until you take it out and feed it.
✨ AFTER FEEDING:
Your starter begins to wake up. Bubbles form and it starts to rise.
✨ AT PEAK:
Your starter has reached its highest point. It should look bubbly, active, at least doubled in size, and often slightly domed on top.
This is the best time to use it to make your dough.
✨ AFTER PEAK:
Your starter begins to fall as it uses up its food.
Once it starts to fall, it can be fed again.
And remember: watch your starter, not the clock.
A warm kitchen can make it rise faster, while a cooler kitchen can slow things down.
The more you learn your starter’s rhythm, the easier sourdough gets. 🤎
Save this for the next time you’re wondering, “Is my starter ready?”
Follow Stefany | Sourdough Coach & Home Baker for simple sourdough help without all the overwhelm.
