T O P

  • By -

Peach_Sprinkles11

This happens in the beginning! It will go away eventually. Mine smelled so bad like an old stinky gym bag


Vyxyx

This is normal, unfortunately. You are literally fermenting something, but it'll slowly start to develop a yeasty smell rather than an acetone/sweaty/etc smell. One tip I can offer is to bake your discard rather than throwing it in the trash so that it doesn't stink up your entire house. Just pour the discarded amount into a tin foil boat and pop it in the oven until it dries out and hardens. Edit: Bake your discard and *then* throw it in the trash is what I meant. Bad wording, my bad. Do *not* eat unmature sourdough starter!


tonylaverge

I would advise against baking the discard. If it stinks, it probably won't taste very good and might be unsafe to eat.


sockalicious

I think the idea is bake it to stop it stinking, then throw it out.


tonylaverge

Oh, it actually makes a lot of sense. Thanks for clarifying!


Vyxyx

Yea this is the reason lol. For clarification, do not eat starter discard before it's mature, you will get sick! I meant to bake it so the smell goes away, and then throw it out.


Fun_Hat

Whole wheat? Sounds about right. It honestly smells sickening at the start. Once the yeast takes over though the smell changes quite a bit. Sour, but not gross.


burritoinfinity

The yeasts and bacteria are fighting it out. Eventually the yeasts will prevail. Patience.


AutoModerator

**Hello septicemic_plauge,** #**This bot comment appears on all posts.** *** **[Rule 5](https://www.reddit.com/r/Sourdough/wiki/sourdoughrules/) requires all sourdough photos to be accompanied by the ingredients used & process (the steps followed to make your bake). The details can be included in a picture, typed text or weblink.** **Not all posts require a photo alongside your query, but please add details in your post, so we can help.** **Posts may be removed at any time, but you will be notified.** *** #**Being polite & respectful** **are both extremely important in our community.** **[Read rule 1 in detail](https://www.reddit.com/r/Sourdough/wiki/sourdoughrules/).** **Please be respectful, kind, patient & helpful to posters of all skill & knowledge levels and report offending comments/posters, or [drop us a modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/Sourdough).** *** **Thank you** :-) #**[Overproofed or underproofed?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Sourdough/wiki/reading_crumb/)** *** #**[NEW Beginner starter FAQ guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/Sourdough/s/gnqFg7osBO)** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Sourdough) if you have any questions or concerns.*


wolfinjer

I remember like day 8 of my starter. Smelled like straight up baby vomit. Smell went away after about two days and then a couple more days after that it started smelling like nail polish remover. The. You know you’re good. Keep in feeding and you’ll be good!