What a Crock

20 years ago

For a while now I've been looking for a decent large crock in which to make sauerkraut or pickles. Last year I made sauerkraut in gallon jars, but I didn't like how it was hard to get my hand in there to skim, and how little room there was to handle weights. I've seen crocks in the Lehmans catalog, but they're scary expensive, and the old ones I see around at the junk shops are often cracked, plus I don't trust the old glazes not to be full of lead.

Then in the most recent MOFGA paper (www.mofga.org) there was an article about a farm that does a lot of home made brined veggies, from pickles and 'kraut to brined apples and green tomatoes. They use 20 liter glass jars, made by Libby glass in Mexico. I hunted around and found a site selling them for something in the $25 range, plus shipping. I haven't gotten one yet, but it looks more durable than a crock, and I think the top will be big enough too.

http://www.restockit.com/browseproducts/20-Liter-Barrel-WLid--------(9520004LIB).html

Anyone use these?

Dan

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Comments (7)

huisjen
Original Author
20 years ago
I feel silly with this thread sitting here at the top of the page forever. If I post this, maybe it will start dropping.

Dan
alwayshome
20 years ago
I know that the crocks are scary expensive, but last year I took the plunge (from a local store not lehmans). It was totally worth it. I love homemade saurkraut. Don't know why I didn't get one earlier. The jar sounds interesting depending on how well they pack when they ship and how large the upper opening is. Let us know if you order and recieve one.
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cherig22
20 years ago
What size is 20 litre? I know, I am mathematically challenged, lol.

I had a bad bout with Pantry Moths a while back, and had to store everything in plastic or glass. So I bought these glass jars from the dollar store for $5 apiece. they have wooden lids, with rubber seals. I figure the hold 2 or 2.5 gallons.

Do you think they would work, it sure seems cheaper than $25.

Cheri
sharon_sd
20 years ago
A litre is about the same size as a US quart so 20 litres is about 5 US gallons.
markapp
20 years ago
I have read several places that food grade plastic buckets may also be used for pickleing and krouting depending on your personal views. Check local hardware farm and ranch supply store during the season i think they run about 30 dollars for a five gallon low quality glazed ceramic crock around here. glass is nice but i am guessing you may want to exclude light in your procedures. Another option may be stainless beer casks? I have not checked asian grocers but fermented vegies are quite popular with asians. We have an old ceramic umbrella holder which if you find one in a garage sale etc should meke a quite suitable and pretty crock.
decolady01
17 years ago
Did anyone ever try these jars for making pickles or sauerkraut? They're up to $37 now, but still look like they might work. I'm curious as to how the size of the opening worked.
lamb_abbey_orchards
17 years ago
Here's a vendor selling it for $28.99 + shipping. Dimensions for it are 18 1/2"H, 6 1/2" top diameter, 8 1/2" bottom diameter, with a 11 1/2" maximum diameter. Height does not include lid.

John

Here is a link that might be useful: Libbey 20 Liter Barrel for $28.99 + S/H