Avoid These 10 Common Sourdough Mistakes

10 Common Sourdough Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Sourdough bread is a delightful challenge for bakers of all levels. It combines science and art, yielding a loaf that’s as rewarding to bake as it is to eat.

However, sourdough baking isn’t without its hurdles. If your bread isn’t turning out as expected, don’t worry—you’re not alone!

Here are 10 common sourdough mistakes and tips to avoid them.

1. Using an Inactive Starter

An inactive starter leads to dense, flat bread

The Mistake: Baking with a starter that hasn’t been properly fed or is too young to ferment effectively.

How to Avoid It: Feed your starter regularly and ensure it’s bubbly and active before using it. A good rule of thumb is to feed it 4–6 hours before baking, depending on room temperature.

2. Ignoring Hydration Levels

Too wet or too dry dough can ruin your loaf.

The Mistake: Using the wrong water-to-flour ratio, which affects the dough’s structure and rise.

How to Avoid It: Follow a trusted recipe with clear hydration guidelines. Beginners should stick to lower hydration (60-70%) until they are comfortable handling sticky dough.

3. Under-Kneading or Over-Kneading

Kneading impacts the dough's gluten structure.

The Mistake: Failing to develop enough gluten for structure or overworking the dough, making it too tight to rise properly.

How to Avoid It: Perform stretch-and-fold techniques instead of vigorous kneading. This gentle process strengthens the dough without overworking it.

4. Skipping the Autolyse Step

Autolyse enhances dough texture and elasticity.

The Mistake: Skipping this important rest period after mixing flour and water.

How to Avoid It: Let the flour and water rest for 30 minutes to an hour before adding the starter and salt. This improves gluten development and makes the dough easier to handle.

5. Not Watching the Dough During Bulk Fermentation

Fermentation timing is critical to success.

The Mistake: Relying strictly on the clock instead of observing dough behavior.

How to Avoid It: Pay attention to the dough’s appearance and texture. Look for signs like a 50% volume increase, a smooth surface, and visible bubbles. Adjust timing based on room temperature and starter strength.

6. Improper Shaping

Shaping gives your loaf structure.

The Mistake: Not shaping the dough tightly enough, leading to a flat or misshapen loaf.

How to Avoid It: Practice creating surface tension during shaping by gently pulling the dough taut without tearing it. Watch tutorials to master techniques.

7. Overproofing or Underproofing

Proofing determines the final rise and crumb structure.

The Mistake: Letting the dough proof for too long or not long enough, resulting in flat, dense, or overly airy bread.

How to Avoid It: Perform the “poke test.” Lightly press your finger into the dough; if it springs back slowly and leaves a slight indent, it’s ready for the oven.

8. Baking at the Wrong Temperature

Temperature affects crust and crumb development.

The Mistake: Baking at too low a temperature, leading to pale crusts, or too high, causing a burnt exterior and undercooked interior.

How to Avoid It: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and use a Dutch oven or baking stone to maintain even heat. Steam in the early stages of baking enhances the crust.

9. Cutting Too Soon

Patience is key to great sourdough.

The Mistake: Slicing into the bread while it’s still hot, which can result in gummy textures.

How to Avoid It: Allow your bread to cool completely on a wire rack for at least 1–2 hours before cutting. This ensures the crumb sets properly.

10. Not Keeping Records

Baking sourdough is a learning process.

The Mistake: Failing to document changes, which makes it hard to identify what went wrong or right.

How to Avoid It: Keep a sourdough journal to track your recipes, feeding schedules, fermentation times, and any tweaks. Over time, this will help you refine your technique.

Conclusion

Baking sourdough bread can be challenging, but with the right techniques and a bit of patience, you’ll be turning out beautiful, delicious loaves in no time. Avoid these common mistakes, embrace the learning process, and enjoy the journey of mastering sourdough baking!