****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
We are huge fermenting fans, and did the traditional pickle pebble using the standard pickle pipe for a while but got tired of the messes. Inevitably the pipes would plug up and the pressure beneath sent an oozing mess up over the lid and down the sides of the Mason jars. We ended up with sticky messes everywhere. Then we came across these lids and thought "Genius!", the solution to our problem. Well, they have been! So glad we bought these. We've purchased several sets since. Additionally, the pump eliminates all oxygen which makes for a bacterial-free environment allowing the veggies to ferment in a very healthy, clean jar. We pump all the oxygen out, to the point that it's hard to pump at all, and that pulls up all the brine to make certain the veggies are covered, including the cabbage. We have found cabbage to be the most difficult to maintain moisture over the top due to our very dry climate which encourages the cabbage to reabsorb the moisture. Using these lids and the pump discourages the reabsorption and maintains fluid over the top where it is most needed. Since using these lids we have yet to find any yeast, kahm, mold, or questionable growth on our ferments, which is hugely reassuring. Whenever we do a taste test we test the PH with a pen first, and once done tasting and putting on the lid we reapply the pump to remove all oxygen inside of the jar. The sterile oxygen free environment makes all the difference for a healthy ferment. Overall we very much recommend these lids for serious fermenters. It simplifies the busy lives fermenters deal with due to juggling so many projects. Also, the date marker is a big plus for taste testing. The nice grip is another big plus for lid removal. They are very easy to clean, but we do not put anything into a dishwasher so there is no risk of residue being left inside our jars or sealing lids. It's much safer to hand wash, rinse and allow to drip dry. These are great for wide mouth jars, and we've used them on pint, quart, and half gallon-sized jars. Versatile and easy to store, too. Great product for fermenting!
