Rotten sourdough starter

[flcracker]

I had a sourdough starter at home , it WAS doing great . I was using it every week or so and taking care of it like I should , I had it for about 6 months . Yesterday I got home from work and I smelled something nasty in the kitchen . The starter had gone bad. It smelled like poop in a jar. It seems like it happened from one day to the next.

 Do any of you camp cooks know what might have caused this ? Also how I might prevent it from happening again 

[mtncook]

How have you been replenishing the starter?  If you have added anything but flour and water you are asking for trouble.  Once your starter is alive it should last years. 

mtncook

[flcracker]

I have been adding a little sugar with the flour and water. I thought that was OK but mabey not ?

[mtncook]

The only time sugar is needed is when you put your starter together. When not in use for a while you can keep in frig but to work it needs to be warm.  Be sure also to not use any metal.  I store in a small crock, the lid needs to be able to let the gas out. 

mtncook

[flcracker]

I knew I was doing something wrong. Thanks mtncook . I guess I will start over.

[Hal]

Hey Cracker, if you don't use it very often a layer of alcohol will form on top and needs to be poured off. If you don't, it can get pretty rank. I just stirred it in once, and it made some pretty odd tastin' bread.