The Best Fermenting Crock (Review) in 2020
The process of fermentation has become incredibly common in today’s world, and this has spurred a return to the more traditional aspect of making foods. This is because of the undeniably deliciousness that fermented food presents. More so, it lingers to the need of a suitable kitchenware that would be able to provide all the required fermentation processes, and this is none other than a fermenting crock. Intuitively, there have been several innovative productions of fermenting crocks, which still beautifully retain the traditional approach of making fermented food; and insightfully, we have hand-picked such selections of the best fermenting crocks to guide you when choosing.
1.
Humble House Sauerkrock Fermentation Crock
Humble House takes great pride in their fermentation crock called the Sauerkrock. Amazingly, we take great pride in it as well, which is why it is our best choice for today. This fermentation crock was designed to deliver the best of results, and it performs accurately up to standards. The Sauerkrock by Humble House is a ceramic crock, crafted with a thick wall to ensure fermentation processes are outstanding, and are undergone to perfection. This design was inspired by the more traditional model of fermentation crocks which was used by the Europeans and was uniquely designed to be a water sealed fermentation crock, with adequate weights provided to enhance efficiency during the process.
Has a 2-liter capacity
Water sealed fermentation crock
Ceramic construction
Ceramic weights provided
2.
Humble House Sauerkrock Fermentation Crock with Glazed Weights
Humble House, with their innovative mindsets, had a befitting idea to create a fermentation crock strategically suitable for family use. This spurred up the manufacturing of their Humble House Sauerkrock Fermentation Crock with a 5-liter capacity. This incredible size for a fermentation pot can adequately serve 2-4 people in a family. On the bright side, this method can be used for one person, and the remnant can be stored for later consumption; no doubt, this innovative idea comfortably takes out any stress involved in having to ferment multiple batches.
Has a 5-liter capacity
Able to serve 2-4 people accurately
Water sealed fermenting crock
Ceramic weights provided
3.
K&K Keramik – German Made Fermenting Crock Pot
K&K Keramik is a manufacturing company known for their outstanding product designs and representations. They are excellent in their pottery handcrafts, as well as other line of productions. Intuitively, their fermenting crock pots are German made fermenting crocks, with beautiful finished looks, and effective delivery. The Kerazo K&K keramik Fermenting Crock is a suitable example of the excellent designs that K&K Keramik has to offer. This Kerazo fermentation crock has an essentially modern day design, and comes with all the necessary features and accessories to conduct a comfortable fermentation process.
Side handles provided
7 liters of capacity
Recipe book provided
Suitable weights included
4.
Kerazo Keramik German Made Fermenting Crock
This Kerazo K&K Keramic Fermenting Crock from K&K differs from its sibling products for one solid reason – it was crafted from premium quality materials to perform to an optimal best. This Sauerkraut Pot also has unique features that clearly gives it a distinctive identity. Despite this fermenting crock pot being created out of the best of materials, it also has a suitable traditional shape that most fermenting crocks have. This particular feature ensures that the product still retains the soothing nostalgic feeling that fermenting crocks present. There is the provision of adequate weight stones, used to press the food beneath the brine for effective fermentation.
5 liter capacity
Ceramic crock pot
Water sealed fermentation crock
Adequate weights provided
5.
Gardener’s Supply Company Stoneware Pickling Crock
The Gardener’s Supply Company is an innovative manufacturing brand that was created by a group of driven gardeners in a bid to provide quality garden supplies and tools to many who duly need them. They have also created a unique line of fermenting crock pots, targeted at giving to many the privilege of having sweet and savory fermented food – more especially, to be able to turn cucumbers into pickles. They also have beautifully designed pickle jars, for all who may require to purchase, if intending to make pickles. Incredibly, this Pickling Crock from Gardener’s Supply has an outstanding design, which has endeared a lot of people to this crock pot.
1 gallon capacity
Ceramic weights provided
Cover for crock included
Accurately weight 8 and a half lbs.
6.
Ohio Stoneware 3 Gallon Fermentation
Ohio Stoneware is a renowned manufacturing company which a reputation of creating outstanding products. They specialize in producing kitchenware, gardenware, bakeware, and stoneware, all with tremendously high quality. They also have a great line of crocks which serve multiple purposes from fermenting, preservation, and for other utility purposes. What’s more, they have been in the business of production for over ten years, giving them a certain level of expertise and excellence.
Over 11 liters of capacity
Water sealed fermentation crock
Adequate weights provided
Stoneware fermenting crock
7.
TSM Products German Style Fermentation Harvest Pot
TSM Products is an innovative company with creative food preparation products, in multiple designs and constructions. These products are known to be highly effective, and are all designed to satisfy consumers who efficiently crave healthy food preparation procedures. TSM products are created specially to help promote the more traditional method of producing food, and have succeeded with their mission of production. Insightfully, a product from TSM Products, with a traditional ring of creating delicious foods, is the TSM Products Fermentation Pot.
5 liter capacity
Dark brown hue
Ceramic weights provided
Water sealed fermentation crock
8.
Ohio Stoneware Bristol Crock
Ohio Stoneware products are of extremely high quality, and these products individually perform their functionalities accordingly. However, they have some unique products which respectively differ from others, and this is due to the features they possesses. A wonderful product from Ohio Stoneware with incredible multifaceted features is the Ohio Stoneware Bristol Crock. This fermentation crock has a distinctive identify and this is solely due to the fact that it can serve as a substitute for other activities in the kitchen.
Over 7 liters capacity
Open fermenting crock
Made with durable stoneware
Can be substituted for a storage vessel
The Best Fermenting Crock Guide & FAQ
What to Look for in a Fermenting Crock
- Method of use
The most important thing to look out for when buying a fermentation crock is its method of use. You have to adequately note how convenient the method of use will be, when you’re undergoing fermentation processes. It is also important to apply other factors as well to determine its convenience. The major types of fermentation crocks are the open crocks and water sealed fermentation crocks. Both have their specific advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs, and these factors have to be adequately considered before purchase, based on preference and convenience.
- Material used
In general, the material used for production determines the durability of that product. It is important to accurately consider and know the material used for production for the fermentation crock you intend to buy. This will ascertain the long-lasting span of the crock and much more.
- Cleaning convenience
Depending on the method of use, the cleaning convenience will vary. Adequately putting into consideration the preferred method of use, it is also important to adequately consider whether maintenance will be easy or not. The maintenance level will ascertain the fermentation crock’s span of use, and your general comfortability.
- Accessories
A major thing to consider when buying a fermentation crock is if it has added accessories. Some may come with essential tools needed during the fermentation process, whereas, others may not. This is important to consider because it will determine if you will need to make extra costs, or resort to substitutes.
Why You Should Use a Fermentation Crock
- Durability
Amazingly, fermentation crocks have outstanding durability, guaranteed to last you for as long as desired. This is solely the major reason why a fermentation crock is recommended for use unlike other materials. They offer great value for your money, due to their long-lasting constructions and functionality.
- Size of fermentation
If you’re intending to ferment large amounts of food, a fermentation crock is the best choice. This is because they come in large and comfortable sizes, making it easy to ferment a lot of food at once.
- Easy to use
Fermentation crocks are insightfully very easy to use unlike other products. This gives a bonus advantage because your comfort is of utmost importance. They are also very easy to fill, and extract, after the fermentation is done, adding to the general convenience level.
- Attractive design
Undeniably, fermentation crocks come with the most intuitive attractive designs. They undoubtedly could serve as kitchen artifacts, and their appearances help to spice up kitchen islands. This means if you’re a lover of great designs for creating cuisines, then a fermentation crock is the ideal tool.
How Do Fermentation Crocks Work?
Fermenting crocks work by method of pressing the food beneath the brine with a weight, and then the fermentation process begins by allowing the food to stay for 1-2 weeks inside the fermentation crock. It could stay for longer, depending on personal preference, and the meal intended for preparation.
Different Types of Fermentation Crocks
- Open fermentation crock
Open fermentation crocks are fermentation crocks that come without lids. Usually, since they have no lids, they don’t have a perfectly fitting weight provided for the fermentation, which calls for substitutions to be made. Hence, a substitute can be used to press down the food below the brine, and then a towel is used to cover the crock for the fermentation process to begin. An open fermentation crock is easy to use and easy to maintain, due to its open top. However, this method of use may attract flies, as well as the formation of some molds. The molds can be taken off effortlessly, and pose no threat to the meal. Nonetheless, the fermentation process with an open lid crock is always outstanding, presenting great results.
- Water sealed fermentation crock
Water sealed fermentation crocks come constructed with lids, to help in the fermentation process. They are operated by water being put into a portion called the channel of the crock, and the crock’s lid is covered. This process ensures that air does not have access to the fermentation process, and that the formation of molds isn’t present. This method of use is a more modern type of fermentation process, as opposed to the traditional method that the open fermentation crocks present. This process, however, demands constant monitoring, and constant refill of water into the channel of the crock. They are also less convenient to clean unlike open crocks, due to their constructions. Nonetheless, the process of fermentation comes out excellently well, using the water sealed fermentation crock.
- Fermentation crocks based on materials used
There are several types of fermentation crocks being constructed with different materials used for construction. The most popular, however, is the ceramic and stoneware fermentation crock. There are other types of materials as well, distinctively identifying them by the type of material used in manufacturing.
The Best Fermenting Crock FAQ:
Q: How do I use a fermentation crock?
A: How to use a fermentation crock solely depends on the method of use the fermentation crock presents. However, though quite different, they have similar methods of use. The food to be fermented is stomped together until a brine is gotten. A brine could also be prepared separately without stomping on the food. Afterwards, the food is put into the fermentation crock and a weight is used to press the food underneath the brine, to allow for an effective fermentation process. If it is an open crock, a towel is used to cover it; whereas if it a water sealed crock, water is filled to prevent air from entering, and the lid is closed. The process of fermentation should take about 1-2 weeks, or more, for a complete fermentation process.
Q: How do I clean my fermented crock?
A: A fermenting crock is to be cleaned by method of hand wash, and then left to air dry. The weight used should not be left inside the fermenting crock, but should be left to air dry as well, so it does not produce molds.
Q: Do I need an airlock for fermentation?
A: Water sealed fermentation crocks are used with the method of airlocks. It effectively traps the air outside from entering and allows carbon dioxide to be emitted. Thought this is quite effective, fermentation processes can still be conducted without airlocks, with an open lid fermentation crock. Molds may appear without the use of airlocks, but this can also be removed without stress.
Our Top Pick
Our top choice for this article is the Humble House Sauerkrock Fermentation Crock. Aside from the fact that Humble House manufactures the best quality of products, this fermenting crock undeniably poses as the best option for use. It has a great heirloom red hue which serves as a perfect addition to any kitchen’s interior. Also, this fermentation crock comes with a durable ceramic material and has high-quality weights to accompany it. On the subject of effectiveness, this product is guaranteed to deliver outstanding fermented food, and its 2-liter size is suitable to fit into kitchen cabinets effortlessly well.
