Hi Danny, for our starter (equal parts starter/flour/water by weight) we recommend feeding twice daily when maintained at room temperature, and at least once a week when stored in the refrigerator. While a well-maintained fully mature starter might survive a few weeks at room temperature without being fed (mine did), this is not something we recommend trying. Why put your starter at risk, when it will be much safer when stored in the refrigerator? Following refrigeration, you may need a few days of room temperature feedings to bring it back to full activity level, but that's a lot less work than starting over from scratch because your starter succumbed to mold or unfriendly bacteria (aka "evil").  I wouldn't worry about refrigeration changing your starters' characteristics; resuming your normal room temperature feeding routine should bring it back to its old self in no time. 

Barb

• Reply