Our Favorite Fermentation Tools

My Favorite Lids for Yogurt-Making (and So Much More)

If you've been dabbling in homemade yogurt, you know the container matters. These lids? They're the unsung heroes of my yogurt setup.

Unlike the metal two-piece lids that rust or warp in the sous vide, these plastic screw-on lids are leak-proof, rust-free, and beautifully boring — in the best way. They just work. Tight seal, no drips, and easy to open even with one hand.

I use them every week for jars of yogurt, but also for chia pudding, salad dressing, nut milks, and anything I want to stash without drama. They survive dishwashers, hot water baths, toddlers, and the occasional fridge avalanche.

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Why I Keep Reordering These

• Leak-proof — ideal for yogurt, broth, or anything sloshy
• Rust-free plastic — no weird flavors, no maintenance
• Easy screw-on design — no fiddling with rings or seals
• Works with all regular-mouth jars — versatile and dependable
• Dishwasher and microwave safe — cleaning is a breeze

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👩‍🔬 For fermentation, storage, or your daily chia pudding ritual — these lids have earned their spot in the drawer.

The Lids That Never Rust, Stick, or Leak

If you're tired of rust rings and fussy two-piece lids, these wide mouth plastic Ball lids are a gift from the yogurt gods.

They twist on smooth, seal completely, and — most importantly — hold up beautifully in sous vide water baths. For anyone making yogurt or storing fermented goodies in the fridge, these are a no-brainer.

Unlike some off-brand versions, the Ball lids are reliably leak-proof, durable, and easy to clean (dishwasher safe, of course). And they don’t warp over time — even after many batches of bubbling, steaming, gut-happy food.

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Why These Live on My Favorite Jars

• Leak-proof + airtight — perfect for yogurts, sauces, ferments, or broth
• Won’t rust or warp — safe for sous vide and other wet adventures
• Wide mouth fit — easy to pour, easy to store, easy to love
• One-piece plastic construction — no fuss, no gaskets, no mold hiding places
• Made by Ball — the OG Mason jar brand

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🫙 If you’ve ever wrestled with a sticky ring lid or lost one to rust, you’ll know why these are such a delight.

An incredible upgrade for anyone fermenting with wide-mouth mason jars.

The Brillenti Easy Grip Fermenting Lids Kit includes 4 waterless airlock lids and an oxygen extractor pump to automatically vent gases — no messy daily "burping" required.
Each lid features easy-grip tabs for comfortable handling, a built-in date tracker, and a low-profile design that fits easily in cupboards.

Perfect for:

• Sauerkraut
• Pickled vegetables
• Kimchi
• Probiotic-rich ferments

Key Features:

• No-water airlock: automatically vents gases
• Oxygen pump included to minimize oxygen exposure
• Built-in easy-set date tracker ring
• BPA-free, durable plastic
• Ergonomic tabs for easy lid removal

Effortless fermenting — especially if you love small batch veggie ferments in mason jars.

When You're Ready to Upgrade from "Good Enough"

There are a dozen ways to keep your ferment under the brine.
A cabbage leaf. A scrubbed rock. That small glass ramekin that always tips.

But when you're done improvising and ready for something that just works — beautifully — these weights are it.

Masontops didn’t just make a hunk of glass.
They designed these Pickle Pebbles to fit wide-mouth jars exactly, with just the right weight to hold things down, and a clever little grip that makes you feel like someone thought this through.

They’re not the only good option out there — but if you want something that lasts, looks great, and makes your life easier?
This is the set I’d point you to.

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What I Love:

• Crystal-clear, non-porous glass — no stains, smells, or weirdness
• Fits like a glove in wide-mouth Mason jars (2.7” diameter)
• Flat, heavy, stable — keeps things properly submerged
• Built-in finger grip — no more fork-fishing or jar-tilting
• Top-rack dishwasher safe — and honestly, they still look brand new after dozens of batches

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🥒 These are the weights I pull out when I want the whole process to feel smooth, clean, and just... better.

What Are Pickle Pipes?

Pickle Pipes are silicone lids designed to fit onto mason jars, allowing gases produced during fermentation to escape while preventing oxygen from entering. This creates an ideal environment for fermenting vegetables like sauerkraut, pickles, and kimchi without the need for daily "burping" of jars.

Compatibility

Pickle Pipes are available in two sizes:

• Regular Mouth (Small): Fits mason jars with a 2.75-inch (7 cm) diameter opening.
• Wide Mouth (Large): Fits mason jars with a 3.38-inch (8.6 cm) diameter opening.

Ensure you select the correct size for your jars to achieve a proper seal.

Features

• One-Way Valve: Automatically releases fermentation gases while blocking oxygen.
• Low Profile: Compact design makes storage easy, even in tight spaces.
• Food-Safe Silicone: Made from BPA-free and phthalate-free materials.
• Dishwasher Safe: Easy to clean and reuse.

Usage Tips

• Activation: Before first use, pinch the valve to ensure it's open.
• Storage: Store lids flat to prevent warping.
• Weights: For best results, use with fermentation weights to keep vegetables submerged.

Considerations

• Overflow: During active fermentation, some brine may escape. Place jars on a tray to catch any spills.
• Odor Absorption: Silicone can absorb strong odors over time. Regular cleaning can help mitigate this.

Customer Feedback

Users appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of Pickle Pipes. They find them especially helpful for small-batch fermenting and note that the low-maintenance design makes the fermentation process more accessible.

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Note: Always ensure you're using the correct size lid for your mason jars to maintain an airtight seal during fermentation.

Masontops Pickle Pipes – Waterless Airlock Fermentation Lids (Wide Mouth, 8-Pack)

Low-maintenance lids for your low-key fermenting life.

These soft silicone Pickle Pipes take the stress out of mason jar fermenting. They’re self-venting, waterless, and surprisingly discreet (you won’t bonk them on the cabinet when closing the door). Just pop one on a jar, press the center to open the valve, and let the gases escape while keeping the bad stuff out.

They’re especially great for wide-mouth mason jars—and for people who'd rather not hover over their kraut like an overprotective parent.

Why I Keep Using These

• Made for wide-mouth mason jars (Ball, Kerr, etc.)
• Airlock magic: lets gas out, keeps oxygen and dust away
• No burping, no babysitting
• Just ½" tall — perfect for countertop or cupboard ferments
• Food-safe silicone (BPA-free, phthalate-free)
• Dishwasher safe, low-drama cleaning

Little Things to Love

• Comes in four mellow colors — helpful if you’re running a kraut rainbow
• Great for ferments with higher gas production (like kimchi or garlic)
• Won’t roll off the counter (yes, we’ve tested this)

Note: This is the wide-mouth set. If you’re using regular (a.k.a. small-mouth) jars, check out the other version!

The Weights I Trust for Every Batch

These are the fermentation weights I reach for every time I start a new jar.
Simple. Heavy. Smooth. Reliable.
Exactly what you need to keep your veggies tucked safely under the brine — and nothing you don't.

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Why I Keep Reaching for These

• 9 glass weights per set — enough to run multiple ferments at once
• 2.7" diameter — fits wide-mouth Mason jars perfectly
• Solid, food-grade glass — no lead, no weird coatings, no porous surfaces
• Flat bottom — keeps your ferments fully submerged
• Low profile + easy-grip handle — easy to grab without disturbing your ferment
• Non-porous — won't trap smells, stains, or off flavors
• Dishwasher safe — easy to clean, no extra hassle

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Why It Matters

• Cleaner ferments. Fewer floaters, fewer problems.
• More food per jar. The slim design means you can pack jars fuller.
• Holds up over time. Solid, dependable glass that does its job.

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That's it.
Nothing fancy — just a good tool that stays out of your way and lets the real work happen.

My absolute favorite fermentation vessel for vegetables.

The e-jen Premium Fermentation Container blends ancient Korean earthenware principles with modern food-safe technology, featuring a double-lid design and an adjustable inner vacuum plate that creates an ideal anaerobic environment.

It's easy to use, odor-blocking, durable, and ideal for:

• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi
• Pickled vegetables
• Any gut-healthy ferments

Key features:

• Vacuum inner lid to minimize air exposure
• Double lids to contain odors
• Dishwasher safe (container only)
• BPA-free, DEHP-free, and lead-free materials

Perfect for small-batch fermentation that actually fits in your fridge — without taking over your life.