There’s a reason why we, Masontops, built our entire company around the Mason jar and it’s not because it makes for a cute name. Mason jars are the best vessel for fermenting food and here are all the reasons why.
1. Mason Jars Are Accessible &Affordable
You probably already have a collection of Mason jars around your home. Even if you don't, they're inexpensive and available at grocery stores, home good stores, craft stores, hardware stores, dollar stores and online. Needless to say, Mason jars are easy to find virtually anywhere.
The low cost of Mason jars compared to other fermenting options is incomparable. Crocks, which are another popular fermentation vessel, retail upwards of $100. Mason jars are available for less than $1.00 each – the math is easy.
2. Mason Jars Are The Perfect Size
Mason jars were originally designed for homemakers and as a result fit conveniently into shelves, fridges and other storage compartments. Best of all, Mason jars only come in two standardized mouth options: regular or wide. The standardized sizing really makes things easy when looking for lids and accessories, like Masontops Pickle Pipes and Chalk Tops.
When it comes to fermenting, Mason jars make it easy to ferment batches in more manageable sizes. Smaller batches reduce waste and let you try new things more often - unless you're absolutely sure you want to be eating 10 gallons of the same recipe for the next 3 months.
3. Mason Jars Are Clean & Green
Masontops loves the environment, which is why our fermentation tools are compatible with Mason jar vessels that can be reused for decades. Mason jars are dishwasher safe and easy to clean, thanks to their simple glass construction.
4. Mason Jars Fit with Masontops Fermentation Tools
The best part about fermenting food in Mason jars is the fact you can use Masontops fool-proof fermentation tools. Masontops sells the most affordable and easy-to-use fermentation products for Mason jars, including:
- Pickle Pipes - automatically "burp" your fermentation batches so you don't have to
- Chalk Tops - write names, ingredients or dates on Mason jar lids with chalk
- Pickle Pebbles - prevent mould with these sleek, glass weights. They'll hold down your ingredients below the brine, preventing food from spoiling
Masontops strategically built our company around the Mason jar for all of the reasons above. Invented 158 years ago, Mason jars will always be available and will last a lifetime of fermenting delicious, unique batches of sauerkraut, kimchi, real picklesand whatever else your belly desires!
The recent boom of fermented food in the health food industry has lead to an increase in consumer products, like us. Although this is a good thing, navigating through the different methods is overwhelming. We hope this breakdown helped answer some questions and we encourage you to download our free Guide to Fermentation. If you want to get fermenting right away, visit our website to see all of our products that work with Mason jars here.
FAQs
Fermenting in Mason Jars
Are mason jars good for fermentation? ›
Mason jars are the best vessel for fermenting food and here are all the reasons why.
Can you ferment in regular jars? ›
Canning jars with plastic lids in all different sizes are great for fermenting. You can use jars with metal lids, but I prefer the plastic lids. If the ferment touches the lid, a plastic lid won't leave a metallic taste. Also, it is better for you not to have metal touch the food during the fermentation process.
What is the best jar for fermentation? ›
Glass is one of the best options for fermenting vegetables because it doesn't scratch easily, nor does it contain chemicals such as BPA. Glass containers such as canning jars are relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain. Our Sauerkraut Kit and Homemade Kimchi Kit come with quart-sized glass canning jars.
What is the advantage of mason jar? ›
Mason jars can not only store and transport food, but they can also act as a co*cktail shaker, a co*cktail/water glass, table decor, or an airtight vessel for canning/pickling. You can even make butter or whipped cream in a Mason jar.
Why are mason jars better? ›
Ball masons jars allow people to seal the food items with a vacuum using mere hot water. It's reliable sealing allows every homeowner to preserve foods that go bad pretty soon- like jams, fruits and veggies, pickles, and many more. The Ball mason jar's history can be attributed to the five Ball brothers.
Do fermentation jars need to be airtight? ›
Safety. Lacto-fermentation is not as quick or volatile as a yeast fermentation (like wine or mead) in which case you would definitely want an airlock. However, if it is warm, and especially in summer, do not tighten the lids all the way, be sure to burp your jar twice a day, or use an airlock.
Are ball mason jars fermentation grade? ›
Ball Mason 32oz Wide Mouth Jars With Lids and Bands, Set of 12. A quart-sized jar is perfect for most fermentation recipes like hot sauce or a smaller batch of pickles.
Is it better to ferment in glass or plastic? ›
Glass carboys are very impermeable to oxygen, meaning that your beer will stay fresh even after a long secondary fermentation. They are also fairly easy to clean, and will not scratch easily like a plastic carboy or bucket.
Do you have to burp fermentation jars? ›
Burping is unnecessary and counterproductive to fermentation. I know this is controversial because a lot of homebrewers will insist that burping is part of their process.
Be careful not to open your jar during the fermentation process!
What is the best fermentation for beginners? ›
Vegetables are best for beginners. Norris: "Sauerkraut and lacto-fermented carrots. These are two very common pickles made in all cultures.
What is the difference between mason jars and regular jars? ›
They are remarkably similar to commercially used jars, but the biggest difference is that real Mason jars have a wider rim that gives them a better sealing surface.
Why do people boil mason jars? ›
Boiling removes the oxygen remaining in the jar, which helps to form a tight seal between the lid and the rim. The heat used for this method of canning is sufficient to kill vegetative bacterial cells found in the food. Only high-acid food with a pH of 4.6 or less can be processed using the boiling water bath method.
How can you tell if a Mason jar is good? ›
Gently tap the lid with the bottom of a teaspoon. If sealed properly, it should make a sharp, clear ringing sound. If it makes a dull sound the lid is either not sealed properly or there is food up against the underside of the lid.
Can you ferment alcohol in a mason jar? ›
There are many great fermentation vessels on the market, but mason jars are by far the easiest vessel to use for several reasons - they are inexpensive, are available in many sizes, they are easy to find, and the clear glass allows you to see how your ferments are progressing.
Are mason jars safe for kombucha? ›
-What are the best vessels for my secondary fermentation? My top secondary fermentation bottles for making extra carbonated kombucha are glass bottles and growlers with a long neck and a swing-top. You can also reuse store-bought kombucha bottles or use mason jars, but they won't create as much carbonation.
Can I use mason jars for home brew? ›
Wide mouth mason jars are useful homebrewing tools - perfect for making yeast starters, serving beer or making tinctures. Read our blog for tips on making and using tinctures to flavor your homebrewed beer. This Wide Mouth Mason Jar is an excellent addition to The Catalyst.
