u/Frequent-Ad-9026

My problem for weeks: forms a dry top layer and never rises
Progress: it has almost doubled overnight! But i woke up with the top layer still drying.

What I did: last night I changed my flour. Instead of unbleached APF, I used rye flour and warm water. I left it with a pancake batter consistency.

I feel better but how come there’s no resolution with the drying on top?

I have already tried the following: covering it with plastic, covering it with glass, storing it inside a microwave oven, changing my glass container. Changing my water:flour ratio (regardless if I make the consistency more watery, it dries up but a little slower). Never had a problem like this on my first sourdough starter attempt. I assumed it wouldn’t concern on a warm, humid environment (i live in a tropical climate).

What must I do next? My sourdough starter is apparently not dead (yay) so how long should I feed it with rye flour and do I switch at all back to unbleached APF?

As for the dry top layer, what can you suggest for me apart from what I already tried? Thanks!

Problem: the top layer always dries up.

This is my 2nd time making a sourdough starter from scratch. The first time, it was easier to find answers to my queries (e.g. false rise, signs of a peak starter, dome shaped top layer). It has “peaked” but I must have messed up somewhere that I had to start all over again.

This time, however, there was no false rise, I see no bubble action going, and the dry top layer is bothering me. It has been a few days now since I remove the top layer before I feed. It is ~day 27.

I have tried increasing the water to flour ratio. Still dry top. Despite the runny consistency. Normally I would make the consistency sticky and I had no dry top issue during my first starter making. Help 🙏🏼

For context, I live in a tropical climate.