Warning: My pickles turned out great without a special lid

A lot of people say you must use an airlock lid for safe fermentation. I disagree because my own tests show it is not needed. I picked up the skill of using a basic cloth cover instead. For example, I fermented cucumbers in a jar with just a cloth and string. They came out crisp and tasty every time. I believe clean jars matter more than fancy gear. This approach has saved me cash and worry over mold.

4 comments

4 Comments

fionam111mo ago

Seriously, all that gear is just for people who like to spend money. I tried an airlock once, and it made no difference at all. My grandma used a plate and a rock in her crock, and her sauerkraut was amazing. Now we're paying for fancy lids that do the same job? Seems like a scam to me. Why do we overcomplicate such a simple process?

seanh541mo ago

Yeah, I was totally in the airlock camp for a long time. Had a whole setup. Then I got lazy one summer and just used a coffee filter and rubber band on a jar of green beans. They were perfect, and I haven't looked back. All those lids I bought were a waste of money. A clean jar and keeping everything under the brine is what actually matters.

pat7351mo ago

Funny, I was just reading Sandor Katz's book and he says the same thing. All that gear is mostly for our own peace of mind.

richard_young801mo ago

But what about mold? If it's all so simple why do so many people get fuzzy batches? There has to be a reason the gear became popular in the first place. Maybe it helps beginners feel more sure before they get the hang of it. I'm not ready to throw out my airlocks just yet.