How can I tell my sourdough starter is ready to use?

You can look for a few signs to see if your sourdough starter is ready to use. One common sign to look for is whether the starter has at least doubled in volume. Time can be a difficult indicator as how long it takes for a starter to double volume can vary based on temperature, hydration, and other factors. Another sign to look for is a lot of bubbles throughout the starter - this can be seen if your starter is in a glass container. Lastly, get to know your starter as you bake with it because each starter has its own unique characteristics. Learn what it will smell like when it matures - this can help you establish a baseline and identify when something is wrong with the starter as it smells "funky".