Well I thought I would try and follow the master (CRG) into a higher level of Bread-vana.
I doubled my starter three times this past week and was going to dehydrate some for backup.
(http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab299/standles/th_2013-03-25055051_zps8cc812bb.jpg) (http://s873.photobucket.com/user/standles/media/2013-03-25055051_zps8cc812bb.jpg.html)
First sign of issues was it was thick when I was putting it on the dehydrator mats. Should have been a clue but damn the torpedoes and full steam ahead. I set the temp on 100 and let er rip for 24 hours. What I got was a thick skin formed and liquid starter underneath. I broke up the skin and flipped it over. 24 More hours and gave up. I got enough dried to continue the experiment. Then tried to grind it in a food processor. NO-GO. It took the Blender to grind those rock like chunks.
(http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab299/standles/th_2013-03-29172451_zpsb3ca05c8.jpg) (http://s873.photobucket.com/user/standles/media/2013-03-29172451_zpsb3ca05c8.jpg.html)
Waited for weekend and decided time for the test.
(http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab299/standles/th_2013-03-29193635_zpsd29731e2.jpg) (http://s873.photobucket.com/user/standles/media/2013-03-29193635_zpsd29731e2.jpg.html)
All re hydrated... So far So Good....
(http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab299/standles/th_2013-03-29193728_zpsefeaa569.jpg) (http://s873.photobucket.com/user/standles/media/2013-03-29193728_zpsefeaa569.jpg.html)
This was the pitiful state after 20 hours in a 100 degree oven. No signs of life (intelligent or otherwise) here.
(http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab299/standles/th_2013-03-30140936_zpsd1b90927.jpg) (http://s873.photobucket.com/user/standles/media/2013-03-30140936_zpsd1b90927.jpg.html)
Oh well Lesson learned Next time I will mix some water with the starter to make a thinner slurry and dry that.
Sure am glad I held back a cup of starter "Just In Case".
(http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab299/standles/th_2013-03-30174541_zps9cd1b7e1.jpg) (http://s873.photobucket.com/user/standles/media/2013-03-30174541_zps9cd1b7e1.jpg.html)
There was a short service held and then the bodies were buried at sea. I was distraught. I had to find something to satiate my creative desires.
I drowned my sorry in making..... 5# of Reuben Sausages like Ragweed.
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=31811.0
Spun the Kraut in a salad spinner and wrung it out through a towel.
Still had too much moisture in it.
Next time will add bread, Powdered Milk or something to soak up excess moisture.
(http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab299/standles/th_2013-03-30174519_zps1d03e525.jpg) (http://s873.photobucket.com/user/standles/media/2013-03-30174519_zps1d03e525.jpg.html)
The Silver looking stuff is just condensation on the inside of the ziplock.
Later, Steven
I think your starter might not have been mature enough after 3 feedings in one week. Just give it some more time between feedings and build up your stash slowly.