Just realized my cheap airlock was costing me batches

Spent $15 on a proper three-piece airlock after my third kraut went moldy. Should have done it after the first failure, honestly. Anyone have a favorite brand for long-term ferments?

3 comments

3 Comments

oscar_ellis1mo ago

Honestly, I've had plenty of successful ferments with the cheap S-shaped airlocks. Are you sure the mold wasn't from something else, like not keeping everything fully under the brine? A fancy airlock is nice, but it's not a magic fix for everything that can go wrong.

richard_dixon1mo ago

My old crock from the 70s doesn't even have an airlock, just a water channel. The real key is keeping everything submerged like Oscar said.

lindamartin1mo agoTop Commenter

You're right that keeping things under brine is key, but a good airlock does more than just block mold. Those cheap S-locks can dry out fast, especially in dry homes. When the water's gone, you get air flow right to your ferment. A quality airlock holds more water and seals better. It's not magic, but it's one less thing to worry about going wrong.