I’ve been using my candle warmer to keep my starter warm since it is FREEZING in my house this winter.
I try not to put it in direct light so it doesn’t get cooked. I just put it to the side (and usually put a candle under it as well so I’m not wasting heat.
Has anyone else tried this?
by jigawattas
23 Comments
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That is the most beautiful candle warmer I’ve ever seen
I have tried almost everything in my house EXCEPT a candle warmer. This is actually genius! If it works, do it!
I thought about it but haven’t tried it yet. I did use mine to defrost my uncrustable faster and it worked perfectly though lol.
I bought a sourdough warmer for mine, but I think this is a great idea!
I use it, especially when I want to speed up the process. I’ve even used it for bulking (turning the bowl every 30 minutes or so for even heat lol)
I’ve used it before – be warned, the top of my starter got very hard and it did not warm it evenly. It was on the lowest setting.
Wouldn’t that be to warm? How warm is to warm
My trick has been using my Sous Vide device to keep the starter at the temp I want with the jar partially submerged in a water bath
I wouldn’t think it would heat evenly that way. I use a Brod & Taylor foldable proofer to keep a consistent temp.
I would be careful with this – is there any indication of how hot this thing gets? Yeast starts to die at 120F so be mindful of that.
It’s also an uneven heat source. So it’s going to heat from the top down, which isn’t really ideal as you could end up with a hard, cooked layer on top of your starter.
I said my starter next to my wax melter/warmer, the kind you put the little rectangles and wax into, and it works phenomenally well like that.
I have three of these throughout my house. This is brilliant.
That’s not too hot? It literally melts wax so I’m unsure the output temp and someone is bound to put it directly under
Likely too hot. Look at candle wax melting temperatures:
[candlesmolds.com/pages/candle-wax-melting-temperature-guide](http://candlesmolds.com/pages/candle-wax-melting-temperature-guide)
ETA: Check out seed germination mats. They are cheap, easy to clean and the temps are sane.
Proofers are less expensive now. Then you will have a leaven proofer and bulk proofer. The whole day goes faster.
I just used the proof setting on my air fryer set to 90 F and that worked extremely well.
My candle warmer gets hot and the jar the candle is in will get hot if left too long. I would just put the starter in the microwave and leave the door ajar so you get some heat, but not enough to cook it and you won’t have the risk of someone turning on the oven.
I’ve been using my old 3D printer for warming my starter and rising my dough. It has a heated bed that can be set to a cozy room temp.
I put my starter next to my candle warmer instead of directly on top and it works great! I also put it in a closed cabinet to keep the heat in
I have used a haybox oven with a heating pad inside.
Omg that’s so funny, I do this! I put my starter on the little platform and I turn the light away and put it on the lowest setting so it’s not directly beaming down. Works like a charm!!
If I had one, I would used it. If not, then the sourdough home is a better option as
It can be used both in the winter and the summer.