Feeding by retained starter weight makes the daily arithmetic clear. “Discard half” can describe a changing amount if the jar’s total changes after each feeding.
What to compare
For example, keeping 60 g starter and adding 60 g flour plus 60 g water gives 180 g total. Keeping half of that next time means retaining 90 g, so the ratio changes. Choose a defined retained mass when tracking a feeding routine, and check gluten-free ingredients and cross-contact.
Continue reading
For quantities, use the hydration reference or arithmetic guides. For a complete cooking method, choose one of the published recipe references and follow its ingredients, equipment and process together.
Sources & scope
- Reference: A gluten-free claim requires no prohibited gluten grain and less than 20 ppm unavoidable gluten; oats and other grains can have cross-contact risk.
- Reference: Discard a starter that molds, develops pink/orange color, or has an abnormal non-clean-sour odor.
Source-based explanation and editorial checklists by SourdoughStart, operated by Tag Ad Limited. AI-assisted article revised 2026-10-12. Source links are not endorsements.
Revision note: prepared for the new reference-led edition. Suggest a correction.