I went on travel for a weekend leaving my starter in the fridge like normal. I genuinely have no idea what happened… My husband said we didn’t lose power so it’s not like the fridge got warm and there was a temp change. I’m so sad but also baffled. Has anybody had anything like this happen before???

by butweweredancin

19 Comments

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  2. No-Breadfruit6137

    The jar was screwed on too tightly, the gas had nowhere to escape, boom.

  3. psilosophist

    Starter creates CO2 as part of the fermentation process. It was probably active when stored, the gasses built up, and boom.

  4. Clean-Ad1459

    There aren’t many options to explain what happened.

    Even tho it was in the cold, it still produces carbon monoxide, just at slower rate.

    Your cap was screwed on too tightly, gas had no place to escape and-Tadaa

  5. butweweredancin

    But I’ve never had that issue before… I thought the fridge slowed that process down. What kind of lid would you recommend??

  6. ThanklessWaterHeater

    Fermentation releases CO2 gas. If you tightly seal a jar that is fermenting the pressure will build and the jar will eventually burst. It’s better to cover the jar with cheesecloth so the gas can escape.

  7. Beginning_Prompt_128

    That’s crazy, I’ve only ever had issues with my starter trying to break out when it’s been at room temperature. Was the jar very full? Maybe that along with the lid being sealed to tight was just too much, even with very slight rise in the fridge.

  8. xlovelyloretta

    I can tell from the picture that the lid was screwed on all the way. Just place it on and let the pressure release next time.

  9. Practical_Drama_1262

    I use a jar and pulled the rubber seal of so its not air tight

  10. modern-disciple

    I leave my lid loose at first, to allow the CO2 to escape. Once it is chilled, I tighten the lid. Most likely, the starter was active and breathing out a lot of CO2 that created too much pressure.

  11. -SprinkledCupcake-

    Get a weck jar- easy to clean as well. Amazon sells a two pack so you have a back up when it’s time to clean the jar

  12. pinkcrystalfairy

    Jar lid was on too tight, so it pressurized and exploded.

  13. wifemomretired

    I use a piece of plastic wrap and a rubber band to close my jars. I’ve had a couple of messes but never a broken jar.

  14. something_beautiful9

    I have a glass jar but with a lid with silicone and a little hole in it on mine do the gas can escape or it can push the lid up ok if it tries to escape. Or just one of those breathable covers. Or plastic wrap with a hole.

  15. Did you feed it before putting it in the fridge? Or did you use a discard that was already flat or on its way back down? I usually only screw a top on if it’s already deflated back down in size