My airlock bubbler cracked open overnight and a whole batch of kimchi got moldy

Woke up to a fuzzy pink mess in my 2-gallon crock because the cheap plastic lid warped in the heat and let air in, so has anyone else had a ferment go bad from a faulty airlock?

3 comments

3 Comments

evan_burns952mo ago

Plastic airlocks are the worst for long ferments. That warping problem is so common, especially with big crocks. I switched to silicone water seals for my sauerkraut crock and it made a huge difference. They don't crack and the seal is way more reliable. Losing a whole batch like that is just heartbreaking after all that work.

seth6832mo ago

A fuzzy pink mess in a two gallon crock? That's a huge amount of kimchi to lose. Those plastic lids are a total gamble in warm weather. Makes you wonder why they even sell them for fermenting.

lane.cameron2mo ago

Ugh, that pink fuzz is the worst. I once lost a whole gallon of pickles because my cheap airlock lid decided to take a vacation and let in every weird spore in my kitchen. Is there anything more sad than dumping a giant crock of something you were really excited about?