What if you don't discard?

[hoovarmin]

I discarded too much of my starter this morning. When I went to make a recipe I didn't have enough. I set a little aside and fed it tonight. If I don't discard any tomorrow and just add to it, will that be ok. I need to build it back up.

[rickgregory]

That will be fine. You might feed 1:1:1 vs something like 1:3:3 depending on how much that will give you. What I try to do is think how much I'll need for the next bake and then use a feeding ratio that will give me that much plus enough left over so I can maintain the starter.

[mnavarre]

Yep, you'll be fine as long as your starter is active. You can adjust how much flour, water, and starter you use. Less starter will probably mean a longer bulk ferment, but should be fine.

Since I keep my starter in the fridge, and only feed it every week or two if I'm not baking here's what I do:

Say I need 200g of starter for a recipe, I take 25-30g from my starter and feed it with 100g each water and flour, unless it's been a while since I've fed my starter, in which case I'll feed 50g each H2O & flour, then discard and feed with the 100g each. That way I've got the leavain I need + 25g which I can feed and it goes back in the fridge. That way I can feed my original starter or just dump it in the compost if it's looking really janky and still have starter left to feed & keep.

So basically, make slightly more starter than you need, use what you need, feed the rest, and stop stressing so much. It's only bread, there's a lot to learn, but it's only hard because you make it hard on yourself. I was the same way when I started baking seriously, and this video got me off of the stress level Forkish put me on.

[MBMorgan]

Two good answers … so I’ll skip my attempt at a third.

That said, if you haven’t seen these videos from Ken Forkish yet, I’d suggest having a look: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y0owQi...AZl6z69kpmUzBI

… lots of good info and not stressful to watch at all … promise …

[HawkerXP]

We've needed to discard our starter and second-string guy for like the last 10 years. Go Giants.

[hoovarmin]

It worked out really well. I had a total of 100 grams of starter this morning after feeding what was left of it last night. Did 1-1-1 ratio and, apparently its quite an active starter because it has grown, developed lots of bubbles and is quite fragrant.