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Warning: my sauerkraut turned into a science project
I had to pick between using my big ceramic crock or just a regular glass jar for a 5 pound batch of cabbage. I went with the jar because it fit in my fridge better. After a week, it exploded all over the shelf, like a fizzy pink mess. Has anyone else had a jar blow up on them, and what do you use instead?
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nelson.wren7mo ago
Oh man, that fizzy pink mess sounds rough... I always use a crock for anything over a couple pounds. The jars just don't give the kraut enough room to breathe and bubble up. You need that extra headspace so the gases can escape without blowing the lid. It's a lesson you only learn once, usually with a big cleanup. Maybe try splitting the batch into two bigger jars next time, with way more room at the top.
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andrewwilliams7mo ago
Forget the jar, that's a rookie move with five pounds of cabbage. @nelson.wren is totally right about the headspace. My question is about the crock itself. Do you guys really trust those water seals? I had one dry out on me once and the whole batch grew a fuzzy coat. What's your fail-proof method to keep the airlock working for a full ferment without checking it every single day?
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nancy_wood6mo ago
Yeah, splitting it into two jars is a good fix... but honestly after my own pink explosion I just don't trust glass for the big jobs anymore. That extra headspace helps, but a crock with a real airlock is the only thing that feels safe to me. I can leave it in a corner for a month and not worry about coming home to a new abstract art piece on my kitchen ceiling.
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zara_murphy457mo ago
Ugh, that's the worst. Splitting it up is smart, but honestly I just gave up on jars for big batches entirely. My crock has an airlock so it can bubble like crazy without making a mess.
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