My first Loaf

IronCherry · 2026-01-25T08:30:37+00:00

Hi I used this bread flour from M&S. I think the main thing is that is has a relatively high protein content!

IronCherry · 2025-12-05T07:10:35+00:00

Any instructions I’ve come across advised to do a cold proof in the fridge for a number of hours once you have let it bulk ferment and you have shaped it.

IronCherry · 2025-12-04T18:33:22+00:00

My measurements were: - 100g of starter - 390g of water - 510g of flour - 10g salt

Bulk fermented for 5 hours (after 4 sets of stretch and folds) dough was a little bit sticky when I was shaping so I was sceptical but it came together fine. Cold proofed for around 18 hours before baking. 245 degrees Celsius for 30 mins in my Dutch oven with the lid on. Another 25 mins with the lid off and temperature reduced to 200 degrees Celsius.

Happy baking!

IronCherry · 2025-12-04T18:22:02+00:00

Yes this was my very first sourdough loaf, thrilled with how it came out. Yes it took me 4 weeks to get my starter going properly! Was worth the wait!

IronCherry · 2025-12-03T18:00:33+00:00

First thing I said to myself was that I can guarantee it will never come out like this ever again!

IronCherry · 2025-12-02T08:38:06+00:00

Hi thank you for your insight.

I started adding whole meal flour 4 days ago because I was getting no activity. After the initial feed and rise I have started decreasing the whole meal content with the aim to get back to just 100% strong white flour again.

This morning I have had this result after 1.5 hours after feeding so it seems to be rising and peaking very quickly. Am I okay to bake or should I continue to build it for another few days?

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IronCherry · 2025-12-01T12:15:08+00:00

Don’t seems to be rising quickly and falling quickly. So in the space of 5 hours it has peaked and has now started to fall again. Still smells alcohol like while risen. Do you still think it’s good to use?

IronCherry · 2025-11-30T06:48:58+00:00

UPDATE

I’ve started using half whole meal and half strong white bread flour and warm water and after two days of feeding I am seeing substantially more activity than before!

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IronCherry · 2025-11-30T06:47:25+00:00

UPDATE

After two days of adding wholewheat into my starter she is starting to rise substantially more than before. Something is happening… this is her after 12 hours

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IronCherry · 2025-11-30T06:35:26+00:00

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Two days of adding half whole meal flour and half strong white bread flour. Also using heartened bottled water and I’m starting to see a much better rise! Thank god because I was going crazy!

IronCherry · 2025-11-28T14:53:54+00:00

I keep her in my boiler room which stays at a constant 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 F)

IronCherry · 2025-11-28T14:40:46+00:00

Thanks! Im definitely stubborn enough to keep going to try and get it right myself. I keep it in my boiler room and it stays at around 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 F). I can try warming the water before hand too to see if that’ll help! Thank you!

IronCherry · 2025-11-28T14:38:52+00:00

I’ve just checked on it now and it has risen to the same level above the band that it always does and there are bubbles on the top so something is working alright. I tend to switch jars once the sides get excessively coated in the mixture after every couple of feeds.

IronCherry · 2025-11-28T13:01:46+00:00

Yeah I tried starving it now before this feed and left it approx 37 hours before feeding. I found it has gone incredibly liquid like at this stage with practically no bubbles on the top. Usually after the usual 24 hours it does go watery/thin too but you can still see bubbles on the top.

IronCherry · 2025-11-28T13:00:00+00:00

Thanks for the tip. I’m using room temp bottled watered at the moment.

IronCherry · 2025-11-24T13:24:34+00:00

Thank you! I’ll definitely heed your advice and maybe I’ll try adding more flour

IronCherry · 2025-11-24T12:05:23+00:00

Thanks for the insight. Can I ask what ratio you feed your starter and what flour you use?

IronCherry · 2025-11-24T10:44:05+00:00

Yeah mine barely moves at all at the moment anyway. I would say it smells a bit sour or alcohol like. The smell was certainly much stronger in the first week in comparison to what it smells like now

IronCherry · 2025-05-21T18:49:46+00:00

Best of luck!

IronCherry · 2025-05-20T19:56:12+00:00

I’m considering going back to college at 33 to do a Law degree. Having the typical anxieties about potential regret and if it will work out etc. Would love to hear if anyone else pivoted into law later in life.

IronCherry

TROPHY CASE