How do I make sourdough starter?

[GracePoultry]

So very stupid question.
How do I make sourdough, how do I take care of it, and how do I know when It's ready to use.

I wanted to try making sourdough as a healthier alternative to chemical packed store bought bread.
First I needed a starter of coarse! so I went online and watched a video on making starter. It just said put equal parts flour and water and stir every day.

I followed the directions and day 2 things were looking good. It was starting to bubble and grow just a bit. day 3 it doubled and was very bubbly but some weird brown liquid formed at the bottom. I googled and it said I could mix it back in, so I did.
The next day it smelled absolutely rancid and the brown liquid was back. I threw it out.

Does anyone have any tips? I've never made sourdough before. Thanks! <3

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Once it doubles that is when you either use some of it or discard some of it. Then you have to feed with more flour and add water to encourage new healthy bacteria growth. If you don’t keep feeding it the good bacteria will have nothing to feed on and go bad.

 

[Sally PB]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/any-home-bakers-here.921333/page-6103

There's a thread all about baking here on BYC. Lots of sourdough bakers and recipes.

So very stupid question.

No, not at all. Nobody was born knowing any of this stuff.