A pickle crock is a wide vessel, usually ceramic, used for sauerkraut, kimchi and brined vegetables. Most use weights to keep food under the brine, and many add a lid with a water seal. Capacity runs from a few quarts to over two gallons.
The six crocks below range from a 4.5 liter glass jar to a 10 liter ceramic crock. Sizes, materials and what is included come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these crocks ourselves. Maker claims are described as the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Sets how much cabbage or brine one batch holds |
| Material | Ceramic, porcelain and glass differ in weight and look |
| Water seal | A moat on the lid lets gas out and keeps air out |
| Extras | Weights and a tamper keep food submerged |
Specs at a Glance
| Crock | Size and material | Seal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOMO 7L | 7 L; ceramic stoneware | Wide waterlock | 2 weights and a wooden tamper; 10.28 lb |
| Seeutek | 1.3 gal; ceramic | Water-sealed lid | Weights and tamper; 10.6 lb |
| Mojoberry 7L | 7 L (1.8 gal); porcelain | Water moat | 2 ceramic weights and a tamper; white; hand wash |
| Polish Pottery | 4.75 qt; stoneware | Water-seal airlock | 11 in tall; 6 lb; patterned |
| Urban Trend | 4.5 L (1.21 gal); glass | Water airlock | Clear; dishwasher safe |
| Tioncy | 2.6 gal (10 L); ceramic | Lid; seal not described | Lid, weights and pounder; 19.41 lb |
The 6 Best Pickle Crocks
1. TOMO Fermentation Crock With Weights, 7L
A ceramic stoneware crock with an extra-wide waterlock, a glazed interior and a kit of two weights and a wooden tamper. The maker says the 7 liter size fits five to seven cabbages.
Suits: large cabbage batches. Strengths: weights, a tamper and a wide seal. Weaknesses: about 10 pounds empty. Skip it if you want a small crock.
2. Seeutek Fermentation Crock Jar, 1.3 Gallon
A 1.3 gallon ceramic crock with a water-sealed lid, weighting stones and a pickle tamper. The maker says the glaze is free of lead and cadmium. It weighs 10.6 pounds.
Suits: a mid-size family batch. Strengths: stones, tamper and a smooth glaze. Weaknesses: the listing gives few measurements. Skip it if you want exact dimensions.
View Fermentation Crock Jar 1.3 Gallon for Sauerkraut Pickling Kimchi on Amazon
3. Mojoberry 7L Porcelain Fermentation Crock
A white high-fired porcelain crock of 7 liters (1.8 gallons) with a wide water moat, two ceramic weights, a wooden tamper and a care guide. The listing says hand wash only.
Suits: a crock to leave on the counter. Strengths: white finish and a full kit. Weaknesses: hand wash only. Skip it if you want a dishwasher-safe crock.
4. Polish Pottery Fermentation Crock, 4.75 Quart
A 4.75 quart stoneware crock, 11 inches tall with a 4.5 inch opening and a traditional water-seal airlock. The maker calls it made in Poland and says it is oven, microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe.
Suits: a decorative small crock. Strengths: a glazed pattern and a water seal. Weaknesses: the listing does not name weights. Skip it if you need weights included.
View Polish Pottery Fermentation Crock 4.75 Quart by Zaklady Boleslawiec Poland on Amazon
5. Urban Trend Sichuan Pickling Jar, 4.5 L Glass
A clear glass crock of 4.5 liters, about 1.21 gallons and 10.9 inches high, with a simple water airlock. The listing says it has no rubber gaskets and is dishwasher safe.
Suits: watching the ferment through glass. Strengths: clear sides and a plain build. Weaknesses: glass can break. Skip it if you want a heavy ceramic crock.
View Sichuan Pickling Jar, 4.5 L Glass Fermentation Crock, Airlock on Amazon
6. Tioncy 2.6 Gallon Ceramic Crock
A 2.6 gallon (10 liter) ceramic crock sold with a lid, two pressure stones, a pounder and a masher. It weighs 19.41 pounds. The listing does not describe a water seal.
Suits: big batches. Strengths: the largest here, with tools. Weaknesses: heavy and no seal described. Skip it if you want a water-sealed lid.
View Tioncy 2.6 Gallon Fermentation Ceramic Crock Jar with Lid Weights Pounder on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Wash the crock and weights before each batch.
- Fill a water seal to the line the maker gives.
- Keep food under the brine with the weights.
- Dry the crock fully before storing.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting a hand wash crock in the dishwasher.
- Letting the water seal run dry.
- Filling to the brim.
- Lifting a full crock without help.
Pickle Crock FAQ
Are weights included?
For TOMO, Mojoberry and Tioncy, yes. Seeutek lists stones. Check the Polish and glass listings.
What is a water seal?
It is a channel of water around the lid that lets gas out and keeps air out.
The Short Version
For a full kit, the TOMO. For a mid-size crock, the Seeutek. For a white finish, the Mojoberry. For a patterned crock, the Polish Pottery. For clear glass, the Urban Trend. For the largest, the Tioncy.
