Troubleshooting & Fundamentals Editor
Marcus came to sourdough sideways — he wanted to stop buying $8 loaves and figured how hard could flour, water, and salt be. The answer, at first, was very. After dozens of dense bricks he became a little obsessed with figuring out exactly why loaves fail, testing one variable at a time until he understood what bulk fermentation and hydration really meant in practice. He now bakes weekly in a tiny apartment kitchen with a home oven and a secondhand dutch oven, proving you don't need fancy gear. He writes the troubleshooting posts, walking through the dense-loaf and gummy-crumb problems he lived through himself.
Wondering what sourdough discard is and whether you have to throw it away? Here's a beginner-friendly guide to what it is, how to store it, and easy ways to use it.
Jun 29, 2026 · 7 min read
Wondering if your sourdough starter smells normal or "off"? Use this scent-by-scent guide to tell healthy tang from real warning signs—and when to toss it.
Jun 29, 2026 · 6 min read
Found gray or brown liquid on your sourdough starter? Learn what hooch is, why it forms, when discoloration is normal, and the few signs that mean toss it.
Jun 29, 2026 · 6 min read
Sourdough starter not rising or bubbling? Here are the 7 most common causes—ranked by likelihood—plus the exact fix for each so your starter doubles again.
Jun 29, 2026 · 14 min read
Forgot to feed your starter for weeks? Learn the simple rescue protocol to revive a neglected or dead-looking sourdough starter—plus when to start over.
Jun 29, 2026 · 12 min read
Not sure if your sourdough starter is active enough to bake? Learn the float test, peak timing, and simple readiness signs that guarantee a good rise.
Jun 29, 2026 · 8 min read
Learn exactly how to feed a sourdough starter, what ratio to use, and how often to feed it whether you bake daily or just once a week.
Jun 29, 2026 · 12 min read
Learn how to make a sourdough starter from scratch with this simple day-by-day guide. See exactly what to expect from day 1 to day 14, plus easy fixes.
Jun 29, 2026 · 17 min read