Guide To Choosing The Best Fermentation Crocks in 2022
Of all the fermentation tools a person can choose from today, one of the essential items for every fermenter’s kitchen remains a traditional-style ceramic crock for fermenting.
If you do any fermenting at all, a fermentation crock, a.k.a stoneware crock or fermenting pot, will do a lot to make sure the fermenting process is a success and you get all the health benefits of probiotic-rich foods.
If you’re considering purchasing a crock for fermenting vegetables, our buyers’ guide is your one-stop shop for everything you need to know during the buying process.
We review water-sealed crocks, open crocks, pots for bulk fermentation, sauerkraut crocks, best-value fermentation crocks, multi-purpose crocks, and fermentation crocks made for kombucha, all for the fermented food lover. Let’s get started!
Best Fermentation Crock: Water-Sealed Crock vs. Open Crock
A few things to consider before making a buying decision on a new fermentation crock. What kind of crock seal is best for you, a water-sealed crock or an open-lid crock?
What about the size of the crock and the price range you are willing to spend on a fermentation crock?
How Fermentation Crocks Work
Once you fill the ceramic crock with water and place the lid on it, the water ensures that no outside contaminants, such as dust and bugs, can get inside and contaminate the ferment.
While at the same time, it continues to allow the carbon dioxide to release and bubble out, creating optimal conditions for the lactic acid bacteria to do its magic.
Water-Sealed Crock
Out of all the crocks, the water-sealed crock is my favorite!
PROS
- The water-seal crock process is so simple: you fill up the moat with water, and it creates an airtight seal that keeps out contaminants, such as dust and bugs, keeping your foods fermenting without a problem.
- Because of this ingenious seal, there is little chance of mold or surface yeasts growing on your ferment.
- It takes the worry out of making sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables.
CONS
- You must keep an eye on the water-seal crocks to ensure that the moat stays full of water. If the water in the moat evaporates, oxygen, particles, and bacteria can get into your brine solution.
- You cannot see inside the crock to monitor it throughout the fermentation process.
- The opening is narrow, and that makes it a little difficult to pack in the vegetables.
- The narrow opening also makes it difficult to reach your hand to clean it.
Best Water-Sealed Crock
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Open Crock
Most open crocks don’t have a lid or weight to keep the vegetables below the brine, making it a cheaper purchase. This could be considered a positive because it saves you money.
However, it is up to you to find a suitable weight and cover. You can read the post, Fermentations Weights: How to Keep Veggies Submerged, for some clever ideas.
If you use a cloth or paper towel as a lid, then closely monitor the batch to prevent Kahm yeast and mold from developing. Both can appear when the vegetables are exposed to the air.
There are some great benefits of using an open crock. The mouth of the crock is wide, making it easy to place several whole cabbages or other giant vegetables, such as cucks, in the vessel.
So if you are looking for a wide water trough to ferment in bulk, this crock will be perfect for you.
Open crocks are easy to clean depending on their size since their bases and openings are the same diameters.
Furthermore, when not fermenting, open crocks are versatile vessels that can store kitchen utensils and dry goods.
It is important to note that open crocks work better during colder periods of the year, i.e., lower temperatures, because molds or Kahm yeast do not form as quickly in lower temperatures.
PROS
- Easy to clean
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Made in the USA
- High-quality and durable
- Cylindrical shape makes it easy to fit large pieces and whole vegetables.
CONS
- Need to buy or make a lid and weights.
- Prone to develop a layer of Kahm yeast if not covered properly.
- Easy to get bugs and foreign objects in the ferment if you don’t use a lid.
Whichever style crock you choose to buy, you will still have to check on it to ensure the brine levels are not dropping.
Best Open Crock
Here is the one open crock I recommend because it comes with weights and a lid
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Read reviews here.
Best Large Crock For Bulk Fermenting
Fermentation crocks come in a wide variety of sizes. If you want a larger crock, I recommend the Nik Schmitt Fermenting Crock Pots 30 Liter, a 6.5-gallon capacity.
This baby can hold between 15-20 heads of cabbage at one time.
Just beware of the weight; this crock weighs 54.5 lbs when empty.
- Suitable for all types of vegetables
- Stoneware does not require special storage
- Does not require special Care
- Neutral for all fermented vegetables
- complete with lid, weighing stones, and instruction booklet.
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Budget-Friendly Fermentation Crock
The price range for fermentation crocks on the market can be hefty. However, a few companies make high-quality crocks at great prices that will fit your fermentation needs and budget.
E-Jen Fermentation Crock
The E-Jen is a high-quality crock great for both large-scale and small batches of fermenting. It is an 8.4-gallon crock which is both lighter in weight and easy on the budget.
But you’ll want to ensure you have the room to store it. E-Jen crocks are plastic and come with an ingenious inner seal that makes them quite versatile because you can easily push down the seal to ferment a smaller batch in any container size.
There’s typically no harm in leaving some extra headspace in the crock, but if you usually make smaller batches, you’ll likely be fine with one of the smaller crocks on the market.
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Mortier Pilion 2L: Fermentation Jar
The Mortier Pilon is a two-liter fermentation jar with a transparent upper half. So you can see the vegetables going through the fermentation process. This crock requires minimal maintenance.
The fermentation kit includes a silicone sleeve, an elastic band (for tightening purposes), a solid lid, ceramic weights, a wax pencil to mark your ferments, and a recipe book that covers around 45 easy-to-cook fermented recipes, including kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, and many more.
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
PROS
- Because it is see-through, it is an ideal pick for both absolute beginners and experienced fermenters.
- You can watch the process of fermentation take place
- Beginner-friendly
- Easy to ferment
- Easy to clean
CONS
- It does not have the traditional crock appearance
Best Multi-Purpose Crock
The E-Jen and Crazy Korean Cooking brands of fermentation crocks are the best multi-purpose and versatile crocks you can buy.
Both brands are quality made and have many sizes to choose from. When not fermenting, the crocks can use as food storage containers.
Great for storing foods requiring airtight storage, such as fresh vegetables, coffee beans, bread, seaweed, cookies, cereals, grains, nuts and even dry pet foods.
Easy to handle and clean
Fridge or freezer safe
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Kombucha Crock
Lastly, this continuous brewing crock for kombucha and other fermented drinks made by Get Kombucha is perfect if you want to keep a crock just for fermented drinks.
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Get Kombucha makes this beautiful sleek crock just for Kombucha lovers. Their kombucha crocks are 2.5-gallon white porcelain and come with a wooden stand.
Don’t stop at kombucha; the crock can also be used to make jun tea, vinegar, and more.
It is designed with continuous brewing, as the spigot makes it easy to fill up bottles and transfer them to the refrigerator, eliminating funnels and messy clean-up.
The glaze is food-safe and lead and cadmium-free.
This crock has thick walls and is sturdy enough for regular use. It is still possible to use a thermostat strip to monitor the temperature of your liquid, though.
The kombucha crock does not come with a lid. You must use a paper towel or piece of cloth secured with a rubber band to cover it and allow it to breathe. This is normal when fermenting kombucha.
Buying Fermentation Weights
I highly recommend you purchase these lead-free glass weights by Stone Creek Trading. The 6.5 ” Luna Glass Crock Weight weighs 2.6 lbs. This is almost double the weight of most standard glass weights on the market today.
This is great because I often hear people complain that their glass weights are not heavy enough to keep the veggies below the brine.
It is important to pay attention to the weight's size, as their smallest size, 6.5”, will not fit into smaller 2-liter crocks listed in this article.
- Non-Porous Glass Weights for Fermenting Crocks
- Upgraded alternative to traditional porous ceramic weights
- Won't absorb anything, easy to clean, won't transfer flavor or smells
- Handcrafted in Poland, unleaded glass
- Protected by US Patents D812,426 and 10,034,483 B2
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How do you clean ceramic fermentation crock and stone weights?
Fermentation crocks should be cleaned with warm water and mild dish soap. You can also use a water/vinegar solution.
To remove strong smells, apply soap for at least 15 to 20 minutes before washing it: rinse and air dry.
Clean the equipment right after you remove the fermented food. Do not let it sit for a long time with food particles.
If you store the crock for a while, then fill it up with a scrunched-up newspaper. Also, wrap the lid and stones in newspaper to protect the ceramic pieces and ensure they stay dry.
To prevent mold growth in a crock or on the weight
- Always dry the stones/crock thoroughly in a warm oven or the sun
- Never put the crock or weights away wet
- Never store your crock and weights in a damp room, such as a cellar or basement.
If you notice, the crock or weights have a little mold. They can still be saved by quickly cleaning them off before the next use.
How to remove mold
Sometimes, mold happens; here are some tips on removing mold from a crock or weight.
- Scrub the mold off as best you can
- Soak the weights overnight in a pot with a few tablespoons of vinegar and hot water (not boiling), or fill the crock with vinegar and hot water.
- Rinse thoroughly
- Lastly, place the weights or crock in the oven at a low temperature until completely dried.
Why Fermenting Crocks are Better than Mason Jars
When I started making my own ferments, I took the cheap and easy route using glass jars. Like most people taking on a new hobby, I didn’t want to invest in expensive equipment.
But that all changed when I tried a batch of kimchi made in a water-seal-style fermenting crock. The kimchi was so much better; I was blown away.
It wasn’t just a matter of the recipe or expertise; ferments turn out better in a crock for two main reasons:
- Ceramic Materials: The thick walls of a crock are made with ceramic clay. The thick clay provides natural insulation and helps keep the brine temperature stable, allowing the bacteria to grow effectively.
- Naturally Blocks Light Out: Have you noticed that practically every fermentation recipe recommends placing the jars in a cupboard or pantry away from the light? That is because UV light kills the healthy bacteria in the brine. The thick ceramic walls block the light and help a successful end product.
Final Thoughts
As with any product, it is important to buy quality only to have to buy it once. That couldn’t be truer than when it comes to purchasing a fermentation crock.
If you settle on a cheaper fermentation crock, you will be facing a short lifespan, wasting your time and vegetables. Nobody wants that, especially if you have been waiting all summer for harvest time.
I hope our Guide to Buying a Fermentation Crock serves you well. Happy Fermenting!
