A saucerkraut or fermentation crock is a stoneware pot used to prepare fermented food. As fermented foods become popular, you can find various crocks in the market with varying prices, designs, and capacity. These units are designed to trigger bacteria growth that ferments the food while keeping the harmful ones at bay. This article discusses key factors to consider when choosing a fermentation crock. Keep reading to learn more.
Choose Movable Crocks
If you lack a designated spot to ferment food, you may consider using smaller crocks. They are perfect for fermenting projects because many small pots are easier to move and lift than large one. Also, when your garden is active and you use successive gardening, you may consider fermenting food in small batches. If you need to move the crock often, you don’t want to drop it or hurt yourself. One drawback of many smaller units is that they are more costly than a single large unit. However, when you use them often, the cost is worth it. This is due to easier maneuverability and the ability to make multiple batches of fermented foods at once.
Consider the Lid
Many crocs don’t come with stones or cover to keep your food submerged. Stones and lids have numerous advantages since you’ll have all you need and you won’t run around to find a plate and rock and attempt to keep mold out of the kraut and other fermented foods. In addition, having a lid helps keep airborne objects from your crock. For this reason, purchasing a crock with a fitting lid is ideal, making it easier to set up or use.
If you only get a crock, you can purchase the stones and lid separately and save on the more expensive brands. While this is true, remember that the total cost of the fermentation crock entails how much you intend to use it and the length of use. In most cases, you’ll frequently use brands that are easy to set up. Also, checking where the crock is made is best, since you don’t want to risk purchasing a unit with grazes or toxic paint. A price tag too good to be true is usually a warning sign. Choose brands that are certified to be non-toxic.
The Inner Wall Height
Ceramic fermenting crocks usually have water troughs containing two walls, the inner and outer walls. You need to ensure the inner wall is taller. Some brands have shorter inner walls, leading to a more straightforward glazing process. This can seem small but can significantly affect your fermentation process. When the crock has a shorter inner wall, dirty water can flow into the outer cavity from the trough to ruin the process. Before purchasing the crock online, ensure three of the product’s images, and you can see the inside with the lid off.
Conclusion
With rising health problems, fermented foods could be the ideal solution. Besides being friendly to the gut system, they contain ingredients that help fight against common ailments. With little effort, fermented crocks help make such foods at home.
