Fermenting crocks have been around for thousands of years, in various styles depending on the culture. In Korea, they have used earthenware crocks for making kimchi and other fermented vegetables, burying them in the earth to maintain stable temperatures. I'm not suggesting you bury you crock at the bottom of the garden. A cool place indoors is just fine. There are essentially a couple of types of crocks for fermentation, open or closed. I'll cover each of them in a moment, but first, a super quick 101 on how these crocks work to provide the correct environment for fermentation to take place.

How Fermenting Crocks Work

If you're totally new to fermenting, take a moment to check out my how fermentation works article. The cliff notes version is that when we submerge vegetables (or fruit) under liquid, in an environment where there is no access to oxygen, a process called anaerobic fermentation occurs. The micro-organisms, yeasts and bacteria on the vegetables or fruit (no need to worry, they are natural, harmless and good for our gut health) begin to feed on the sugars that are released from the vegetables/fruit (from now on I'll just say vegetables, but take it that this also applies to fruit too).

The waste product these healthy critter produce is called lactic acid and this is why fermented food and drink has a slightly tangy flavor. The cool thing is that the fermentation process, as well as increasing the shelf-life of the vegetables somewhat, produces literally millions of bacteria that help to repopulate your gut and improve health. So, we need to exclude oxygen from reaching the fermenting vegetables as much as we can. The crock works a lot better than simple jars because it is designed with a gutter or channel that is partly filled with water. When the lid is put in place, the bottom edge sits in this water-filled channel. As fermentation takes place, gas builds up inside the crock. This positive pressure is released, one bubble at a time as the pressure forces it's way under the bottom of the lid and out to open air. Image: Harsch Gartopf Company

Because the pressure inside the crock is higher than outside, air from the atmosphere is not able to enter the crock and spoil the vegetables. This simple system makes fermenting so much easier, once you start using a crock, the ease and simplicity of the process is wonderfully liberating.

Types Of Fermentation Crocks

There are really only a couple of distinct type of fermenting crocks. This does not include the mason jars that many people use with great success, because they are not actually crocks. Watch out for my reviews on those. coming soon. Our two 'real' crock options are:

Closed Type Water Sealed Crock

The closed style crock typically features a ceramic earthenware crock pot with a capacity of between 5 and 30 liters, although bigger ones are used on a commercial basis. Their design, as you can see in the above image, has a deep 'v' or 'u'-shaped water gutter in which the lid sites. This gutter, when filled with water, creates an airtight seal that can only allow gases (at a higher pressure inside the crock due to the fermentation process) to escape, but no air to enter. These crocks have German origins, where making sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables has long traditions. They offer a really simple and efficient fermenting solution to the beginner and experienced fermentista alike.

Advantages Of Water-Sealed Crocks Easy, care-free ferments. Far less attention needed. Minimal maintenance.

Ensures a good anaerobic environment, you only need to keep the water channel filled up (20 second job to check and fill as required)

Mold on the surface of your ferment is far less likely

plus Ensures a much more regular ferment, removes guesswork and miserable failures. (I know, I've had a few!)

Disadvantages Of Water-Sealed Crocks You need to make sure the water channel is filled. Not a big deal.

Due to the neck width, you have to use slightly smaller vegetables than with an open crock.

Due to neck/shoulder, cleaning is a 'little' more trying than an open crock.

Generally more expensive than open crocks. I believe the advantages far outweigh the extra cost.

Open Fermetation Crocks An open crock, as the name implies, is open at the top. It has no lid or water gutter. These crocks are typical of the type you'd see in a 1950's home, with food being pickled, and a cloth keeping the flies out. Fermenting in an open crock required the same air free environment as the closed crock. But without a lid you have to be a little more precise. The vegetables are packed into the jar as normal, and the brine liquid used to cover the cabbage or veggie of choice.

A plate slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the crock is placed inside to hold the vegetables below the surface. A weight is sometimes used to assist. A dense weave cloth is placed over the top of the crock to keep the bugs out and prevent contamination of the ferment with external pollutants like dust and other particles. Open crocks can work great, if you see any in a junk shop or sale, pick them up for sure. They do offer some advantages in that they are easy to pack and unpack, not typically having the narrow neck of the water-sealed models. The Ohio Stoneware 2 Gallon Bristol Crock is a great choice, you can also get a lid and crock weights for that model. For more information on these beautiful crocks, check out my in-depth article on Ohio Stoneware fermentation crocks. Enjoy!

Advantages Of Open Crocks Usually cheaper that a water-sealed crock. One can improvise with a variety of earthenware containers, provided they are glazed to food standards inside.

Super easy to keep clean, open top and wide neck make filling easier too.

Easy to add larger vegetables.

Disadvantages Of Open Crocks Harder to keep the air out, ferments are prone to mold and other bacteria.

Easier for flies and other insects to enter. Hygiene is ESSENTIAL.

Internal glaze may not be too food grade standards, particularly on older crocks.

minus You need to purchase ​ fermentation lids and weights separately, which drives cost up.

minus Harder to create the stable environment for the best fermentation results.

Can I Use A Food Grade Bucket For Fermenting?

Any open, plastic container is really an open crock. Open crocks can work fine, providing you can keep harmful bacteria out, but also prevent air from reaching your food. Of course, this 'can' be achieved, but a water-sealed crock makes things a whole lot easier, and requires less ongoing attention. The biggest concern is the ability for chemicals to leach into your ferment from the plastic. Even BPA-free plastics (plastic itself is a mix of chemicals) can allow unwanted, and potentially harmful substances to leach into the food. On the whole, I avoid them. A decent ceramic crock is a one off purchase that will last a lifetime. The small upfront investment is worth it in my view.

Tips For Choosing A Good Ceramic Fermenting Crock

Many of the ceramic fermentation crocks you will find online are of a high quality. You can also find some really nice artisan ones, in amazing colors and styles. However, there definitely are a few things to look out for when buying a crock for fermenting. Here are a few pointers to make sure you get a great product that will offer you many years of stellar service.

Fermentation Crock Safety

Always be mindful of the origins of your crock. The German fermenting crock is considered to be best in the world, with much history and tradition. But as with almost everything these days, many of these ceramic fermenting crocks are being replicated around the world, with scant regard for safety. Fermentation creates an acidic environment, the last thing you want is paint, glaze and processing chemicals leaching out of the crock and into your fermented vegetables. I'd highly advise sticking with German and other European manufactured crocks, where standards and quality control are high. American made home fermentation crocks are also a good choice.

What Quantities Of Fermented Vegetables Are You Planning To Produce?

When you first get started, a 5-liter fermentation pot is usually perfect for a family, and even for some small scale production to sell or give away. Mine has given stellar service and I have no need to upsize at this time. If you are planning to create your own cottage industry making sauerkraut or other ferments, then I'd highly advise having 2 5-liter crocks, or perhaps even a 15-liter or larger. You can produce really large amounts of produce in these larger crocks. The price for a 20+ liter crock isn't anywhere near 4 times that of a 5-liter, so there is definitely an economy of scale factor at work here. Just for the record, a 5 liter crock can easily accommodate 3 large heads of cabbage. A 7.5 liter model can usually take 4-6. A 26 liter monster crock can take 15-20 heads of cabbage. That's a LOT of cabbage!! But, larger crocks come with their own issues....

Do You Need A Moveable Crock, Or Can It Stay In One Place?

This might seem like a strange point to make, but it's worthy of consideration. A 5-liter crock crammed full of cabbage and liquid isn't light. As you'll see in the crocks below, they don't come with massive handles. Adequate yes, but imagine trying to move a 26 liter one from cupboard to countertop. The thing probably weights over 30kg when fully loaded. That's quite a weight to shift around. Definitely worthy of consideration at this stage.

Open Topped Or Water Sealed Fermentation Crock?

I'll mention this briefly, but my personal view is that if you are going to go to the expense of buying a stoneware crock, buying one with the water gutter airlock setup is really the best way to go. Sure, an open topped crock can work great, but you have to ensure the crock weights keep the cabbage under the surface of the liquid at all times, and that the crock is covered to prevent dust and insects getting in. They do tend to be a little cheaper than the airlock style German crocks, but in the grand scheme of things, I'd rather pay a few more bucks and save a load of time and effort over the long term...yes, I'm kinda lazy! The water sealed fermentation crock adds an extra layer of protection and ensures the essential anaerobic environment is maintained. It takes away a lot of the hassle and guesswork that open top crocks or fermenting jars create.

Additional Benefits Of A Water Sealed Fermentation Crock

I've covered many of the benefits of a water sealed crock for fermenting vegetables, but there is another great benefit to using heavy (relatively speaking) stoneware crocks with a lid and water gutter. This is to do with temperature control, and the exclusion of light. The thick walls of the German style crock really help to maintain stable temperatures, which is ideal for a full flavored sauerkraut. This doesn't mean that you can just stick the thing on a windowsill in the middle of summer, but the type of sauerkraut fermenting crock I'm detailing her will help to maintain a perfect environment for fermenting. If you do use jars, keeping them out of the sun, but ideally in a dark place, will help ensure a good ferment too.

My Best Fermentation Crock Top Picks

As I mentioned a little earlier, providing you are buying your earthenware crock from a European of US manufacturer, you should get a great product that will serve you well for many years. Here is a round up of some of the best crocks available for home fermenting.

The TSM company are one of the leaders in fermenting crocks. Robust and beautiful design make these a great looking crock that will do the job. This particular model, the TSM 5 liter 'Harvest' crock pot is made of the highest quality fine-grained and lead-free glazed (very important) stoneware. It's a really lovely looking crock which is flawless in appearance. It's definitely important to buy a crock with the highest quality glaze on both the outside and the inside. Seeing inside is hard, but a flawless outer coating is almost always a sign of the same quality on the inside. This crock looks amazing, but some owners have reported quality control issues with the glaze. Could just have been a bad batch, but worth considering What I really like about this one is the simple buy aesthetically pleasing design, the deep water gutter and also the small cut out on the lid to assist with the release of gas during the fermentation process. Specifications: Fermenting Pot Dimensions:

8 1/2" dia x 10 1/4" H (w/o Lid), 11 3/4" H (w/ Lid)



Stone Weight Dimensions:

7" dia x 3/4" H

envira TSM German Style Fermentation Harvest Pot with Stone Weight 5 Liter The Product The Great & Good Stuff The Not Quite So Good plus-circle Lead & Cadmium Free

plus-circle Simple Design

plus-circle Deep Water Gutter

plus-circle One Of The Cheapest minus-circle Lightweight & Fragile

minus-circle Small Handles

minus-circle Possible Glaze Issues View On Amazon My Rating

Verdict: The TSM is a good crock, no doubt about it. As I spent time exploring this crock, I did see a theme start to appear around people who own it. Many people were concerned about the relatively thin walls in comparison to other similar products, and also issues with glaze quality. Although wall thickness is probably not going to be an issue that has any real effect for most users, glaze quality is important. I always get a little concerned when I read this type of feedback, but on the whole, the TSM product is well-received and the vast majority of feedback is extremely positive. Definitely worthy of consideration. Check current pricing and availability on Amazon

The Nik Schmitt German Gairtopf fermenting crock is fantastic. Gairtopf are a German company with a patented gutter system and are one of the most successful harsch crock manufacturers, selling their crocks all over the world. Specifications: Capacity: 5 liter | Diameter: 10" | Height: 12" | Weight: 12.1 pounds Comes complete with lid, crock weighting stone and instructions to get started.

envira Nik Schmitt Ceramic Fermenting Crock Pot 5 Liter The Product The Great & Good Stuff The Not Quite So Good plus-circle Simple Basic Design

plus-circle Thick Walls​​​​​

plus-circle Very Durable

plus-circle Good Price

plus-circle Recipes Included minus-circle Water Gutter Could Be Deeper

minus-circle Small Handles

minus-circle Slightly Rough Finish

minus-circle Water Gutter Could Be Deeper View On Amazon My Rating

Verdict: I really like the look of the Nik Schmitt crock. It's elegant and is a perfect addition to the kitchen. The water gutter is wide and shallow, which is absolutely fine, but one will need to keep a closer eye on evaporation than on a model with a deeper gutter. This is a strong, durable heavy crock. The 5-liter is ideal for a small family, but there are larger options available. Be aware of the weight of a filled crock when deciding. Check current pricing and availability on Amazon

This is the 5 liter crockpot that I own and use for fermenting everything from sauerkraut to curtido, and kimchi to carrots. It's been subject to almost weekly use and I love it. Manufactured by Kerazo, this really is a high quality crock. Bias aside, I've compared this with crocks owned by some of my friends, and I feel like I made a great choice, albeit by accident with little knowledge back the. The Kerazo crock is lead and cadmium free (as all good crocks should be). It has a deep water gulley so doesn't suffer from the evaporation issues that some others do. I typically have to add a little water to the gulley every couple of days. The handles, although not large are well designed and do the job just fine. No close shaves in two years...phew! The body is formed in a single piece, no joins at all. The .6" base and .4" walls are super durable, and the whole crock has a sturdy, utility feel about it which I love. Specifications: Capacity: 5 liters | Diameter: 8" | Height: 12" | Weight: 9 pounds Comes complete with lid and weight stones.

envira K&K Keramik German Made Fermenting Crock Pot 5 Liter The Product The Great & Good Stuff The Not Quite So Good plus-circle Strong & Durable ​

plus-circle Excellent Quality​​​​​​

plus-circle Well Proportioned

plus-circle Deep Water Gutter

plus-circle Good Handles minus-circle Quite Heavy​

minus-circle Higher Priced View On Amazon My Rating

Verdict: Sorry, I don't want to go on too much about this one, but it really is a great crock. Sturdy, doesn't feel like it would shatter if you knocked it. Handles that work as handles! One thing that I really like, and it took me quite a few ferments to work this out, is that the weight stones are really a good size when the crock is almost full. I've got friends with crocks with wider neck openings, and the stones just fail to keep the vegetables under the liquid surface. With the Kerazo, fill the crock to 3-4" below the neck, cover with brine and then insert the stones. They wedge in beautifully to hold the cabbage down. Once I got this worked out, fermenting was even easier. Highly Recommended! Check current pricing and availability on Amazon

The Humble House German-style fermentation crock is a 5-liter (1.3 gal) crock that is at the lower end of the price range. It's definitely not cheap and cheerful though. Ideal for fermenting sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles and curtido, this crock is constructed of thick ceramic and as with all the models here, is glazed with a lead and cadmium free finish. The 5-liter capacity makes it ideal for a family of 2-4 people. With looks very much like the Nik Schmitt, this crock is made in China, which is not a problem, but many people seeking a true German crock can become a little aggrieved that the Humble House is made elsewhere. Humble House call this a 'European Style' crock which overcomes the issue.

envira Humble House German-Style Fermentation Crock SAUERKROCK 5 Liter The Product The Great & Good Stuff The Not Quite So Good plus-circle Nice Design

plus-circle Reasonably Priced

plus-circle European Styling minus-circle Hard To Clean Inside

minus-circle Small Handles

minus-circle Not German Made View On Amazon My Rating

Verdict: One the whole, the Humble House crock is not bad at all. Irrespective of origins, this crock will stand up well to regular use. I don't believe it is in the same league as the Kerazo, but if your budget is limited, this one is fine for sure. The Nik Schmitt retails in the same ballpark for price, with the TSM coming in a fair bit cheaper. These budget crocks are all good, but if you are looking for a long-term relationship with fermented vegetables, spending that little extra could be worth it. Check current pricing and availability on Amazon

This 26 liter MONSTER crock is the big brother (or sister) of the 5-liter Kerazo that wins my best pick award. The styling is the same and the specifications are also the same, other than capacity. A 26 liter crock is for the small scale producer of the BIG family. Ideally suited for feeding 10-12 people a regular diet of sauerkraut or kimchi, this sauerkraut crock is going to be REALLY heavy when loaded. The crock boasts large handles for easy transporting, but I'd recommend loading and emptying this in one place, rather than trying to lift it in and out of a cupboard.

envira K&K Keramik German Made Fermenting Crock Pot 26L Monster The Product The Great & Good Stuff The Not Quite So Good plus-circle Tough & Durable

plus-circle Massive 26L Capacity

plus-circle Ideal For Small Producer minus-circle Too Big For Most Users

minus-circle Quite Pricey

minus-circle Small Knob On Lid

minus-circle Handles Too Small For Size View On Amazon My Rating

Verdict: This crock is not for the faint-hearted. If you choose this beast, be prepared to fill it. It's possible to ferment smaller batches in a large crock, but a lot of air will be held within the crock, and it'll take a long time for those gases to expel that air through displacement. It's always best to go for a crock you can fill. Check current pricing and availability on Amazon

How To Make Sauerkraut In Your New Crock (video)

This video shows you just how easy it is to make kraut in your crock.

My Top Pick

I have no qualms in recommending the Kerazo K&K Keramic crock as my best pick. Yes, I own it, but my experience with it and familiarity with other brands makes me sure it really is a great crock for anyone looking to get started in fermentation, or just up their production. The Karazo crock is designed to last a lifetime, as long as you don't drop it on the floor. Products no longer seem to be built to last, so it's really refreshing to see come crocks (in fact, most of these in the review) being made to last more than a year or two. So, here it is...my champion!

envira Top Pick - K&K Keramik German Made Fermenting Crock Pot 5 Liter The Product The Great & Good Stuff The Not Quite So Good plus-circle Strong & Durable ​

plus-circle Excellent Quality​​​​​​

plus-circle Well Proportioned

plus-circle Deep Water Gutter

plus-circle Good Handles minus-circle Quite Heavy​

minus-circle Higher Priced View On Amazon My Rating

Final Thoughts