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Goodbye, baking guesswork.

Tired of flat loaves? Loafy helps you troubleshoot with confidence and turn baking frustrations into your proudest results. Get clear, step-by-step advice in any language.

Solve My Sourdough Issue

Free to use, Google sign in required.

Diagnose Instantly

Describe your issue and get a precise fix in seconds. No more endless searching while your dough is waiting.

Proven Framework

Every answer is grounded in The Sourdough Framework - a logical system for predictable, bakery-quality results.

Debug Your Dough

Match symptoms to likely causes, then adjust one variable at a time.

Build Repeatable Skill

Don't just follow steps. Understand the principles. Loafy explains the 'why' so you can master the craft.

How it works

1

Open the chat.

Just start typing your question or describe what you see.

2

Share your variables.

Share your flour, hydration, temperature, timing, and the symptom.

3

Get a precise fix.

Receive a specific adjustment you can make on your next loaf.

What Loafy can help with

  • Starter care and feeding schedules.
  • Hydration and dough strength.
  • Bulk fermentation and proof timing.
  • Shaping and surface tension.
  • Oven spring and scoring.
  • Crumb problems, gummy or dense.
  • Flavor balance, acidity and sweetness.
  • Equipment alternatives, your kitchen is enough.

Example prompts

My starter doubled, then collapsed, is it ready to use. My dough tears during shaping, what should I change. I want a more open crumb at 75 percent hydration, how. My loaf is pale, how do I get better color without burning. How can I adapt this recipe for whole grain flour.

Share your results, ask the community.

Join fellow bakers to share tips, celebrate successes, and get feedback.

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Frequently asked sourdough questions

My starter does not double in size

It can still be healthy. Different flours rise differently. Use it before it collapses.

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What’s the best starter feeding ratio?

Commonly 1:5:5 or 1:10:10. Stiff starter ~1:5:2.5. Adjust for freshness.

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My new starter doesn’t rise at all

Use unchlorinated water. Whole‑grain flour helps. Keep it warm and wait.

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Day 3 rise, then nothing

Normal starter phase. Keep feeding. Balance returns with time.

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Liquid on my starter

Hoof is normal. Stir it in or pour off a bit; then feed.

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Starter is too sour

Feed more frequently. Use higher ratios. Keep it cooler.

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Starter smells like vinegar/acetone

Signs of imbalance. Refresh with larger feeds; reduce acidity.

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Float test fails

Not always reliable. Go by rise, smell, and timing instead.

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Aliquot sample doesn’t rise

Check starter activity and dough temperature. Give it time.

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What hydration should I use?

Start moderate. Match hydration to flour strength and skill.

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Dough tears after long fermentation

Likely overfermented or weak gluten. Shorten time, add strength.

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My bread stays flat

Check fermentation, shaping, scoring, and steam. Improve strength.

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Crumb points to fermentation issues

Use crumb clues to diagnose over/underfermentation and strength.

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How do I get a more open crumb?

Build dough strength, balance fermentation, and match hydration to your flour.

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Read more in The Sourdough Framework troubleshooting guide: Troubleshooting