Should I discard the clearish liquid ontop of my starter?

[pnj]

I thought I read that I need to throw that stuff out. Or do I just stir it back into the rest of the mess?

[Fio]

I thought I read that I need to throw that stuff out. Or do I just stir it back into the rest of the mess?

I stir it back in. It's all part of the mix, and helps you maintain a consistent hydration from batch to batch.

[pcampbell]

The clear stuff is alcohol I am pretty sure.  Drink up!

Just kidding (about drinking it).  Depending on how much I might poor it out or stir it back in.

[sround]

After a few months dormant, I usually pour the 1/4 - 1/3 cup of hooch off into a measuring cup, and then replace it with an exact amount of water. That way, I can keep the pH of the starter constant, and the starter tends to spring back to life in one or two feedings.

Just my $.02

[northway]

I've been with sourdough for more then 25 years and I always mix the hooch back in the starter never ever have I ever thrown it away

[asheborobluecomets]

I'm new to sourdough starters & my seems inactive. It smells sour but it hardly ever has bubbles. It doesn't bubble or grow after it is feed. How can I re-activate or should I make a new starter?
 

[northway]

What are you feeding it?

What I do to get a slow starter going is to feed it warm scalded milk no more then 100deg hmmmm (35.5c) and all purpose-flour so the entire starter has the consistency of pancake mix :)about 1/2 cup of milk 2 or 3 tbls flour, feed every 8 to 10 hours

[asheborobluecomets]

Thanks!   I give it a try.  I've been feeding with 1 cup warm water (105 degrees) & 1 cup of AP flour.