I have tried making sourdough starter for bread, pancakes etc. numerous times. The starter would work well for a time but always died after a couple of months. Last Spring I made a new one, but this time I have not used any metal with it. No metal utensils, bowls, or the like (not even stainless steel) and it is still working perfectly! Made an applesauce cake a couple of days ago and pancakes yesterday morning. We have been feasting on sourdough bread all summer. I keep the starter in a clean pint canning jar with a plastic lid, stored in the refrigerator.