I put a small plate on top of my sauerkraut jar instead of a weight

I was out of my usual fermentation weights and needed to get a batch going. I grabbed a small ceramic plate that fit perfectly inside the mouth of my half-gallon jar, and it kept everything submerged just fine for 3 weeks. Has anyone else used random kitchen stuff as a weight in a pinch?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_karen3d ago

Just a heads up, ceramic plates can have hidden cracks or chips you might not see, and those spots can trap bacteria. Your plate worked fine this time, but your mileage may vary if it's got any tiny flaws you missed.

wades762mo ago

That's actually a pretty solid hack. I mean, the whole point is just to keep the stuff under the brine, right? Maybe it's just me but I get nervous about anything that could potentially chip or leach stuff into the ferment. Like, I'd be careful with certain plates if the glaze has any cracks.

the_robin2mo ago

My grandma used a chipped saucer as a weight for years and we never got sick, but you're right to be careful. I read a blog post from a potter who said old glazes, especially the bright colored ones, can have lead or cadmium. So a crack means the brine is touching the clay body underneath, and who knows what's in that. It's one of those things where the old way might not have been the safest way, you know? I just use the glass ones made for fermenting now, they're cheap and I don't have to worry.