Fermenting is an ancient food preservation technique that has recently experienced a widespread resurgence in popularity. This is, in part, due to the many health benefits of fermented foods. It’s easy to ferment your own sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, olives, hot sauce, and more at home.
Lacto-fermentation requires nothing more than fresh produce, salt, and water because it relies on sugars and bacteria naturally present in these foods. While the process is simple, it helps to have the right tools. You’ll need a large, wide-mouthed container and something to weigh down your ingredients to make sure they stay submerged in their brine as they ferment and pickle—that's where the fermentation crock comes in.
Best Overall, Open
Ohio Stoneware 2 Gallon Crock
Easy to clean
Reasonably priced
Made in Ohio
Does not come with cover or weights
Capacity may be too big for some
"Modern fermentation crocks come in so many styles and sizes. My grandparents kept a giant open crock on the back porch and fermented sauerkraut for the whole family," says Julie Laing, Author of "The Complete Guide to Pickling." "That's still an option, but I like crocks small enough that they can rest on the countertop or table in my kitchen."
This simple open crock from respected American manufacturer Ohio Stoneware is sturdy and durable, with a streamlined, elegant look—and yes, it will fit on your countertop. A lid can be bought for it separately, or it can be covered with a cloth for old-fashioned fermenting. It’s available in a 2-gallon size, is hand-finished with a food-safe, lead-free glaze, and is safe to use in a microwave, oven, or dishwasher. It is perfect for fermenting vegetables, such as fermented beets for salads. When not in use for fermenting, it can double as a rustic-chic container for kitchen utensils or dry goods.
Dimensions: 9.75 x 9.75 x 9.75 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Capacity: 2 gallons
Best Overall, Water-Sealed
Kenley Fermentation Crock 5 Liter and Pounder
Comes with cover and weights
Attractive enough to sit on counter
Deep moat
Ceramic weights more difficult to clean than glass
Capacity may be too big for some
This fermentation crock comes with a burp lid which allows gasses to escape. The weights keep vegetables submerged beneath the brine during the process, and the moat also helps seal in odors. But because crocks should be packed about 75 percent full, this crock is best for making large batches of foods like German sauerkraut for parties or big families.
Dimensions: 11.5 x 11.5 x 16 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | Capacity: 1.3 gallons
Best Open Set
Ohio Stoneware 1-Gallon Preserving Crock Starter Kit
Includes cover and weights
Easy to clean
Made in Ohio
Heavy for its size
Another classic and elegant stoneware open crock from Zanesville-based Ohio Stoneware, this time sold as a set with two half-circle weights and a lid included. It’s sold in a smaller 1-gallon size (great for those just venturing into the world of fermentation) or a larger 2-gallon version.
Dimensions: 11 x 11.75 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 14 pounds | Capacity: 1 gallon
Best Budget
Kenley 2-Liter Fermentation Crock
Ideally sized for 1 to 2 people
Includes cover, weights, and pounder
Attractive enough to stay on counter
Makes small batches only
This compact, 2-liter (1/2-gallon) crock is pleasantly affordable and great for those just venturing into the world of home fermentation—or for making small batches of sauces like fermented hot sauce. It has a traditional water-lock lid that sits in a deep groove to hold water for the seal. It can hold about 2 pounds of vegetables, has a lead-free glaze, and comes with a pair of weights. It requires hand-washing and is less attractive-looking than some of the other options but is perfect for beginners.
Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 12 inches | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Capacity: 1/2 gallon
Best Glass
FastRack One-Gallon Wide Mouth Fermenting Jar
Inexpensive
Good for first-time fermenting projects
Easy to clean
Lid fails if screwed on too tightly
Mason jar fermenting kits have become popular because you use a standard wide-mouth Mason jar with the kit. This fermentation crock is similar, however it comes with everything you need. This budget-friendly set is ideal for trying your hand at fermenting without having to make a huge investment. The glass jar comes with a lid and airlock, which makes it super easy to use. Plus, you can observe your progress without having to open the jar repeatedly. The wide mouth makes it easy to clean.
Dimensions: 10 x 6.1 x 6.1 inches | Weight: 2.6 Pounds | Capacity: 1 gallon
Most Stylish
Zaklady Ceramiczne Polish Pottery Fermenting Crock
Handmade and hand-painted in Poland
Durable
Stylish
Expensive
Not suitable for large batches
This stylish hand-painted ceramic crock, produced by a small manufacturer in Poland, is pretty enough to sit out on your kitchen counter and comes in several different blue and white patterns. Polish pottery is fired at super-hot temperatures (more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit) so it’s durable, dishwasher-safe, and produced in small batches. It’s also lead- and cadmium-free. The sturdy crock comes with a lid and two glass weights, which are easy to clean. It’s the ideal size for single or two-person households and for making small batches of flavorings like fermented garlic.
Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 8 inches | Weight: 3 pounds | Capacity: 1/2 gallon
Best for Large Batches
Nik Schmitt Fermentation Crock Pot
Comes with two weights
Dishwasher safe
Wide mouth for easy cleaning
Made in Germany
Heavy
Stones are ceramic, not glass
Nik Schmitt is a well-known German-based producer of traditional fermentation crocks. These simple stoneware crocks come with a water-seal lid and two ceramic weights and are available in a wide range of sizes, from 5 liters (1.3 gallons) all the way up to a whopping 40 liters (10.6 gallons) for those who are looking to produce vast quantities of kraut and sriracha kimchi.
Dimensions: 12 x 16 x 20 inches | Weight: 19 pounds | Capacity: 2.6 gallons
Best for Sauerkraut
Humble House Sauerkrock with Cabbage Tamper
Includes lid and vegetable tamper
Various sizes and glaze colors
Made in Wisconsin
Small opening makes it difficult to clean
The reasonably priced Sauerkrock, from a family-owned business in Wisconsin, features a German-style design with a water-seal lid and comes in fresh, vibrant colors like bright red, navy blue, and glossy white in addition to the traditional brown. Available in 2-liter (1/2-gallon), 5-liter (1.3-gallon), and 10-liter (2.6-gallon) sizes, each comes with two glazed ceramic weights and a wooden vegetable tamper, perfect for packing cabbage (and other vegetables) down into the pot and beneath the brine.
Dimensions: 6.25 x 6.25 x 8.25 inches | Weight: 4 pounds | Capacity: 1/2 gallon
Best for Kimchi
eKitchenary Traditional Korean Onggi Fermentation Pot
Traditional brown glaze
More porous for best results with kimchi
Can ferment other foods
Unglazed interior difficult to clean
Slow shipping
While you can use any fermentation crock to make kimchi, traditionally it’s made in handcrafted earthenware pots called onggi with a dark-brown glaze fired at extremely high temperatures. Earthenware ceramics (made from fired clay) are more porous than stoneware or porcelain, so allegedly an onggi allows foods to “breathe” properly while fermenting for the best results. These clay pots are available in a variety of sizes and are used not just for making kimchi, but also fermented bean and chili pastes, soy sauce, and rice wine.
Dimensions: 5 x 6.75 inches | Capacity: 0.8 gallon
Best for Small Batches
Stone Creek Trading Fermenting Crock 2.5 L
Holds about the same amount as a half-gallon jar
Self-burping water-sealed rim keeps oxygen out
Glass weights keep food submerged and clean easily
Hard-to-clean crannies
Stone Creek Trading imports and sells fermentation crocks directly from a cooperative in Poland, connecting Polish artisans with U.S. buyers. The 2.5-liter fermenting crock, one of the smaller options they offer, is ideal for small-batch ferments. It holds slightly more than a half-gallon jar, so it’s an easy choice when following recipes designed for a Mason jar fermenting kit.
Julie Laing started using this crock while she was testing recipes for her pickling cookbook, “The Complete Guide to Pickling,” and it has become her preferred vessel for fermenting cabbage and snap beans. The crock flares slightly at the bottom and top, making it simple to pack. The shape is a little more challenging to clean, though. Whole spices tend to collect in the integrated handles, and rinse water may pool there while the crock air-dries.
The brown-glazed crock is available with or without the company’s logo, or you can choose the same design in several other colors. Each comes with a pair of sturdy weights that slip through the crock’s wide mouth. When fermenting shredded cabbage for sauerkraut or curtido, Laing lays a cabbage leaf or two between the shredded vegetables and the split weights, which ensures nothing floats to the top. Made of extra-heavy, nonporous glass, the weights are a snap to clean and show no chips or cracks after several years of use.
The dark, glazed ceramic of this crock means you don’t need to protect the contents from light, but it also means you can’t see what’s happening inside. This makes the water-sealed rim particularly useful. After an initial check to ensure the crock’s contents are covered in brine, the water in the crock’s moat bubbles occasionally as carbon dioxide releases, a sign of active fermentation. Laing has found that in her climate, she can go several days before topping off the moat water.
Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 9 inches | Weight: 3.7-pound crock with lid, 1.45-pound weight set | Capacity: 2.5 liters
For a crock that comes at a great value and will last you years of fermentation, go for the highly rated Ohio Stoneware Bristol Crock. And the sturdy, easy-to-use Kenley Fermentation Crock is ideal for families or making large batches. Plus, it looks sleek enough to sit out on your counter.
Types of Fermentation Crocks
Open Crocks
Open crocks are simple, straight-walled vessels sold with or without a lid and weights. In the most basic setup, an open crock can simply be covered with a cloth, with ordinary items like plates or stones used as weights, or you can purchase weights and a lid separately. Open crocks are generally less expensive, more readily available, easier to clean, and can fit large items through the wide opening, such as a whole head of cabbage. The drawbacks to an open crock are that they require close and regular attention to prevent mold infestations and brine overflow, and they can let strong odors escape.
Water-Seal Crocks
German-style water-seal crocks come with a lid that’s designed to sit in a shallow “moat” around the mouth of the crock. The moat is filled with water to form an airtight seal, which creates an optimal anaerobic environment for fermentation while keeping out mold, yeast, insects, and dust, and sealing in funky fermentation smells. Water-seal crocks are more difficult to find and pricier, and the narrower mouth makes them harder to fit large ingredients into and trickier to clean. On the plus side, they’re more hygienic, failure-proof, and hands-off, and many experts swear that water-sealed crocks are the best way to get a deep, fully developed flavor in your fermented foods. You just need to occasionally check the water level in the moat and top it off, as necessary, to maintain the seal. Water-seal crocks usually come with two crescent-shaped weights in addition to the lid.
What to Look for in a Fermentation Crock
Size
Fermentation crocks come in many different sizes, ranging from a gallon up to over 10 gallons. Before buying one, decide what food or drink you want to ferment, the amount you want to do at a time, how often, for how many people, and where you will store it when not in use. You might decide to start with a smaller-sized crock if you are just learning how to ferment foods.
"I like crocks that hold 2 to 5 liters [1/2 to 1.3 gallons], letting me make small batches in various flavors and larger batches of favorite recipes," says Laing. " It's worth investing in crocks with water-lock rims and in weights that fit snugly; I get far less yeast buildup and far crisper pickles than with open ferments."
Material
Fermentation crocks are manufactured in various types of materials, including ceramic, stoneware, porcelain, glass, and clay. What foods or drinks you want to ferment in the crock should factor into your decision on which one to purchase, and the weight of the crock might be an issue for you, too.
Storage
If you have limited space in your kitchen, then storing a fermentation crock is a concern. Some crocks are stylish with beautiful hand-painted decorations or glass designs, so you might enjoy displaying one of those on the counter when not in use. (They also make great gifts for cooks who already have everything else!) A small crock can also hold cooking utensils or other dry items and can fit nicely on a counter. Before purchasing a large crock, make sure you have room for it in a cupboard or out in the open.
FAQs
What's the difference between using a fermentation crock and a glass jar?
A ceramic crock is the more traditional fermentation method, and many home fermentation experts say that it is the best (or even only) way to get a deep, fully developed flavor. But another option is using a wide-mouthed glass jar, such as a Mason jar, which has the advantages of being easier to find, inexpensive, and easy to clean since it doesn’t absorb odors or stains. The transparent glass lets you monitor progress, but they could be considered less attractive than an opaque crock, and the UV light they let in could negatively affect your fermented foods. They also generally hold smaller batches (perfect for foods like lacto-fermented carrots) and allow more air in and out than a water-sealed crock. A jar with a traditional lid can’t be tightened completely and needs occasional “burping” to allow built-up pressure to escape.
These days many airlock fermentation lids are available for glass jars; they feature one-way valves that allow gas to escape but prevent air, mold, dust, and yeast from entering and keep strong odors sealed inside. On the downside, these extra lids take up more storage space in your kitchen and are an added expense. In the end, whether you use a crock or a jar comes down to personal choice, as each has its advantages and drawbacks.
What size crock do I need?
For a small household of one or two people or those just starting out, a half-gallon (2-liter) crock should be sufficient; they are relatively light and won’t take up much counter space. For two to four people or larger batches, a 1- to 3-gallon crock might be more suitable and is still not overwhelmingly large or heavy. For larger households or those who have caught "fermentation fever" and plan to make multiple batches at a time, bigger crocks are available in sizes ranging from 3 gallons all the way up to more than 10 gallons. However, they start to get quite costly (and heavy) as the size increases.
Are containers in any type of material safe to use for fermenting?
When looking for a crock that will be used for fermenting food or drinks, it’s important to make sure that it’s made with food-safe materials. Ceramic, porcelain, and glass are all nonreactive and will not corrode or leach chemicals into food, unlike some plastics and metals, but it’s important to make sure that any ceramics or porcelains you use with food have been made with a lead-free glaze.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This article was written by Danette St. Onge, a food writer and former features editor at Cook’s Illustrated magazine (part of America’s Test Kitchen). Long a proponent of from-scratch everything, she has many kitchen appliances and utensils, and spends hours combing the internet, comparing options, reading reviews, and testing to find the best tool for every job.
This roundup was updated by Arricca SanSone, who has both glass and Polish pottery fermenters that she uses to make her favorite sauerkraut, the traditional caraway-flavored version. She is a health and lifestyle writer for Prevention, Country Living, Veranda, House Beautiful, PureWow, and many others.
Julie Laing has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years and is the author of the weekly newspaper column and food blog, Twice as Tasty. She adores pickled foods, particularly the sour tang of fermented ones, and her pickling crock is in constant use from the first harvest of asparagus in the spring until she cuts her last cabbage in fall. Julie is the author of "The Complete Guide to Pickling," which contains more than two dozen recipes that can be fermented in a crock.