Trying something different for sauerkraut this year...

[K Frame]

In years past I've used a food grade plastic bucket for my sauerkraut. But, it's old, and I'm afraid that it might not be up to the task anymore.

So, I went looking for another 3.5 gallon food grade plastic bucket. Boy are those things spendy... as in $30 or more for one.

But, while looking, I came across food grade heavy duty bucket liners... The material says they're good for food storage or for brining, etc. I figure making sauerkraut is kind of like brining, so I'm going to give them a try.

$10 for a roll of 24 for the 5 gallon size.

I'll stop and get a Home Depot 5 gallon plastic bucket to hold everything.

The worst that happens is that the bag springs a leak, so I'll need to be gentle with them.

[DittoHead]

I used something like those for fermenting beer in buckets. They worked fine, made cleanup quite a bit easier and I didn't have to worry about getting my scratched up old buckets fully sanitized.

[K Frame]

Well that's good news. I was thinking they would be fine for longer ferments, but just wasn't sure.

Typically sauerkraut ferments for anywhere 2 to 6 weeks depending on temperatures.

[Boomhauer]

Ask a bakery for food grade buckets icing and other stuff comes in them


You can also buy Firehouse subs pickle buckets for like $5 they advertise it at the counter

[K Frame]

"Ask a bakery for food grade buckets icing and other stuff comes in them"

That's where my bucket came from 10 or more years ago. Mom was friends with the woman who managed the Dunkin Donuts in her town and she got a bunch from her.

"You can also buy Firehouse subs pickle buckets for like $5 they advertise it at the counter"

Hum... I've not been in a Firehouse subshop since April. They've got good pickles, though...

OK, there's one fairly near my house. I'll have to give them a call and see if they have any available.

[cordex]

Or, while you're at Home Depot ...
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leaktite-5-gal-70mil-Food-Safe-Bucket-White-005GFSWH020/300197644

[lee n. field]

In years past I've used a food grade plastic bucket for my sauerkraut. But, it's old, and I'm afraid that it might not be up to the task anymore.

So, I went looking for another 3.5 gallon food grade plastic bucket. Boy are those things spendy... as in $30 or more for one.

Umm, what?   

Menards locally has 5 gallon food grade buckets, for not much money.

https://www.menards.com/main/grocery-home/housewares/cleaning-supplies/cleaning-tools/century-container-5-gallon-food-safe-bucket/0-307-05/p-1444426310665-c-7113.htm?tid=-1&ipos=2 3.50 for the bucket.  Lid sold separately for a whopping dollar twelve each.

Is that too big?

[zxcvbob]

The white buckets at Home Depot are food grade.  Use those w/o liners.

Last few times I've made sauerkraut, I fermented it in quart mason jars.  That works quite well, except that it will rust your rings (so use old rusty rings)  I can look up my old usenet post about how to do that if you're interested.

[cordex]

Menards locally has 5 gallon food grade buckets, for not much money.

He doesn't have Menards there, but Lowes and Home Depot both carry inexpensive, food grade, 5 gallon buckets.

[K Frame]

"The white buckets at Home Depot are food grade."

Holy crap, I had NO idea that Home Depot/Lowes carried food grade plastic buckets! Thanks! They've got a ton of them in stock at my local HD...

Still think I'm going to use the liners. Making sauerkraut imparts a.. funk... in the plastic that never goes away, and when I'm not making kraut, I can store other food in the bucket if it's not funkified.


And nope, no Menard's here in Northern Virginia.

Closest ones are in Ohio, I think.



"Last few times I've made sauerkraut, I fermented it in quart mason jars.  That works quite well, except that it will rust your rings (so use old rusty rings)  I can look up my old usenet post about how to do that if you're interested."

Yeah... I don't have enough quart jars to do 30 to 50 pounds of sauerkraut... Or enough counter space...

My old bucket was big enough to just do 20 pounds of kraut, but that was a stretch as it was very full to the top.

A 5 gallon bucket?

I'll finally be able to make enough kraut to hold me through an entire year!

[zxcvbob]

And nope, no Menard's here in Northern Virginia.

Menard's is one of the reasons living in Minnesota is bearable.  I don't go there that often, but it's comforting just that it exists.  Hy-Vee is the another reason for their occasional meat specials.  Then there's Kwik Trip...   No other reasons to stay here.

[charby]

Menard's is one of the reasons living in Minnesota is bearable.  I don't go there that often, but it's comforting just that it exists.  Hy-Vee is the another reason for their occasional meat specials.  Then there's Kwik Trip...   No other reasons to stay here.

Kwik Trip/Star... hells yea.

Do you have a Fareway Grocery store in Roc?

[K Frame]

"Kwik Trip/Star... hells yea."

I've only been into KT/KS for coffee.

Casey's General Store coffee is better.

But I think my friends in Marion like the pizza from KT/KS.

Or maybe it's the Casey's pizza they like...

[zxcvbob]

"Kwik Trip/Star... hells yea."

I've only been into KT/KS for coffee.

Casey's General Store coffee is better.

But I think my friends in Marion like the pizza from KT/KS.

Or maybe it's the Casey's pizza they like...

KT has better coffee.  Casey's has better pizza.  But both are pretty good (that's higher praise than it sounds)

Do you have a Fareway Grocery store in Roc?

There was a Fareway, but it closed last year 

[charby]

"Kwik Trip/Star... hells yea."

I've only been into KT/KS for coffee.

Casey's General Store coffee is better.

But I think my friends in Marion like the pizza from KT/KS.

Or maybe it's the Casey's pizza they like...

Casey's for pizza

Its a wash on coffee, but KT/KS has better hot food.

[charby]

KT has better coffee.  Casey's has better pizza.  But both are pretty good (that's higher praise than it sounds)
There was a Fareway, but it closed last year 

I think there is still one in Stewartville, MN