Hi Jill, I wouldn't worry too much about funky smells during the first 10 days or so of starter development. Different bacteria create different odors, and it's not uncommon for your starter to smell quite funky at times during this period. Once your starter is fully mature, however, it should smell mildly tangy and not at all nasty. A mature starter that has been neglected in the refrigerator for an extended time might develop a stronger odor, but a few days of feeding at room temperature twice daily should restore it back to it's normal activity level and aroma. Barb

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