Question about a sourdough starter that got way too active

I was feeding my starter last week, the one I've had for about 8 months, and it had been sluggish. I left it on the counter near my radiator for a few hours by mistake. When I came back, it had pushed the lid right off the jar and was bubbling over the sides. My kitchen in Tacoma smelled like a brewery. I had to scrape a huge amount into a bigger bowl and feed it double just to calm it down. Has anyone else had a starter go totally wild from a small temperature change?

2 comments

2 Comments

dylanbell25d ago

Happens all the time (radiators are starter rocket fuel).

the_nathan25d ago

Radiators can really kick things into gear, but calling it rocket fuel might be a bit much. That explosive activity is usually from a big jump in temperature, not just the warmth itself. Your starter was likely hungry and the heat let the existing yeast go crazy fast. It's more about the sudden change shocking the system. Next time, maybe move it a few feet further from the heat source instead of right next to it.