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We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products-learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.Make Your Favorite Pickles With the Best Fermentation Crocks
Fermentation is a recently resurrected food preservation technique that allows microorganisms and bacteria within the food to convert starch and glucose to alcohol or acids. This alcohol or acid works as a preservative for the food and gives it a tangy taste.
Fermentation has recently become popular due to its many health benefits. One of the advantages of fermentation is that it accelerates the growth of probiotics in our bodies. While fermentation is quite simple, you need appropriate tools to ensure you get the best out of your vegetables and fruits. This is why we bring you the top fermentation crocks in 2023 that have some impressive features you can’t miss out on.
Show contentsReviewing the Best Fermentation Crocks of 2023 in Detail- Humble House Fermentation Crock - Best Overall
- Kenley Fermentation Crock - Best Features
- Seeutek Fermentation Crock - Best Look
- Ohio Stoneware Fermentation Crock - Best Capacity
- Jillmo Fermentation Crock - Most Sturdy
How To Pick the Right Fermentation CrockHow To Pick the Right Fermentation Crock
Now that we have gone over some high-quality fermentation crocks, you’re probably wondering which one is the best for your fermentation needs. Well, there are some essential things to consider before you choose a fermentation crock for yourself. In this section of the guide, we will equip you with the necessary information regarding crock jars so you can pick the right one for your kitchen.
Why Do You Need a Fermentation Crock?
Fermentation crocks are just ceramic or stoneware jars that hold vegetables until they ferment. Many people do not understand how important fermentation crocks are for fermenting and believe that mason jars can do the job just as well. Here are some of the most important features of fermentation crocks that make them the ideal choice for fermentation over regular mason jars:
- You can easily fill fermentation crocks and scoop out fermented food, which isn’t possible in a mason jar
- Fermentation jars are sturdy and last for decades, getting passed down for generations
- Fermentation crocks are perfect for big or small batches
Are Fermentation Crocks Better Than Mason Jars?
While fermentation crocks serve their purpose and are very effective, their use has some limitations compared to a mason jar. The first one is that you require a mason jar for storing fermented food anyway, so it is essential to have it during fermentation.
Fermentation crocks are bigger and more expensive than mason jars which also means that they require more space for storage. However, they are essential for fermentation and can not be skipped.
How To Choose the Right Fermentation Crock?
There are many things one must consider when buying a fermentation crock. Some of the most important ones are as follows:
Type of fermentation crock
There are several different types of fermentation crocks. Some of the most commonly used ones are open crocks and water-sealed crocks. Open crocks are your traditional fermentation crocks that have a large opening and can fit large quantities of vegetables at a time. On the other hand, water-sealed crocks have a space to hold water and a lid that closes down in that space. Adding water seals the lid shut and allows fermentation gases to pass without external air entering the jar.
Size
The size of your fermentation crock may vary from 1-to 5 liters. This depends on how much food you need to ferment. You can go for a 3-liter fermentation crock if you have a small family. Whereas if you want to make pickles or kimchi in bulk, a 5-liter fermentation crock would be the right choice for you.
Reviewing the Best Fermentation Crocks of 2023 in Detail
1Humble House Fermentation Crock
– Best OverallThis traditional fermentation crock comes with a water channel crock jar, lid, stable weights, and a wooden tamper. The crock jar has a two-liter capacity to make four mason jars worth of pickles in each go. The jar comes with a water gutter that you can fill with water to protect the food from external factors like dirt and dust.
The crock jar is made of high-quality ceramic and has a lead- and cadmium-free glaze finishing. Even the weights are fully glazed to ensure durability. This is our favorite product on the list because it gives you conventional yet effective fermentation gear to work with.
Pros- The fully-glazed weights are easy to clean
- The wooden tamper easily muddles your food
- The glaze is safe for use with food items
Cons- Water might seep into the ferment
2Kenley Fermentation Crock
– Best FeaturesThis is another one of our traditional fermentation crocks. However, it comes with a burp lid that allows the fermentation gases to escape without letting any external air into the fermentation crock. This feature makes it quite effective for fermenting vegetables in large quantities. The unglazed weights allow you to keep all the ferment under the brine. The crock jar is made of high-grade ceramic with a food-safe finishing, so you only eat healthily. It comes with a wooden tamper that removes any air in the jar before you start the process.
Pros- The crock is easy to clean and care for
- The food-safe finishing keeps the food tasting great
- Your fermented food can last a long time
Cons- Brine and water may leak out
3Seeutek Fermentation Crock
– Best LookThis is another traditional style fermentation crock that comes with stone weights and a cabbage tamper. This 1.3-gallon fermentation crock can easily retain any season’s fruit and vegetable flavors all year round. The jar is made of high-grade ceramic and has a lead- and cadmium-free finishing, making it food-safe.
The water-sealed jar cover allows all fermentation gas to escape without letting any air enter. The weighing stones and tamper can be used to submerge your vegetables under water or fermented liquid for best results. It is really easy to clean, too!
Pros- 1.3-gallon capacity
- East to clean
- Lead-free, cadmium-free finishing
Cons- The crock has thin walls that may break easily
4Ohio Stoneware Fermentation Crock
– Best CapacityThis compact fermentation crock is an excellent choice for your kitchen if you’re looking for a sizable crock jar that can easily ferment heaps of vegetables at a time. The crock jar has a water trough airlock that allows fermentation gases to escape the jar without letting in any outside air. This prevents oxidizing of the ferment in the jar, retaining its taste.
The set comes with a crock, lid, and stone weights that help keep your vegetables submerged in water or brine for effective fermentation. The fermenting jar is made of stone that has a food-safe glazed finishing.
Pros- Food-safe glazed finishing
- Water tough airlock keeps the ferment fresh
- The material is sturdy and food-safe
- Comes with a small recipe book
Cons- The lid may become lopsided if not used properly
5Jillmo Fermentation Crock
– Most SturdyMost fermentation jars are often at risk of breakage or cracking due to their thin walls. Jillmo Fermentation Crock has thicker walls made of high-density ceramic and a food-safe glazing finish to keep your ferment safe from oxidation and prevent any leakage of water or brine from the jar.
The thicker walls enable the jar to keep a steady temperature throughout fermentation. It also has a deep water grove to fill in more water. The fermentation crock is designed so that the inner opening is taller than the outer opening, preventing water from seeping into the ferment.
Pros- Easy to clean
- The design prevents water leakage
- Thicker walls prevent cracks or breakage
Cons- The crock jar has hollow handles
People Also Asked
Q: How can I clean the weighing stones with my crock?A: It is really easy to clean the weights. You just need to run them under water before soaking them in brine. This is to prevent the weights from absorbing brine during fermentation.
Q: How can I properly use my fermentation crock?A: To make proper use of your fermentation crock, it is important to keep it clean and only use clean vegetables inside it. This is to prevent any mold from accumulating in your ferment. You can do this by washing the crock with hot water and soap and wiping it clean with a sterile piece of cloth. You should also ensure that your vegetables are properly cleaned before adding them to the crock.
Q: What are the three types of fermentation?A: The three different types of fermentation are acetic acid fermentation, lactic acid fermentation, and alcohol fermentation. Acetic acid fermentation is used to make vinegar.
