The gas station bread trick that ruined my first sourdough

I was at a Shell station in Tucson filling up and saw a sign that said 'use hot water from the tap for faster dough rise.' Figured it was fine and tried it with my starter. My bread came out dense and flat like a hockey puck. Found out later that hot tap water can kill the yeast if it's over 120 degrees. Has anyone else tried a shortcut that backfired this bad?

2 comments

2 Comments

ellis.jennifer6d ago

...honestly I used to be one of those people who thought hot tap water was totally fine for bread. I mean, it's just water, right? But reading this really hit home because I tried the same thing a few months ago and ended up with a brick loaf that could've doubled as a doorstop. It's wild how something so simple can completely wreck your starter. Makes me wonder how many other "hacks" out there are actually just waiting to ruin your hard work.

mason.margaret4d ago

Ngl @ellis.jennifer, that "hot tap water is fine" hack is a common myth, but even warm tap water can kill your yeast if it's over 120F.