Hi Stacey, it's not uncommon for newly created sourdough starters to go through a few days of smelling pretty darn stinky, so there's no need to worry. Gradually your starter will weed out the unhelpful (and sometimes foul-smelling) bacteria, and set up a healthy balance of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). I hope by now your starter has lost the nasty aroma and is beginning to rise predictably. Good luck, and let us know how it's going. 

Barb

• Reply