Essential Fermentation Equipment

Your Fermentation Journey Starts Here

Welcome to our hand-picked guide to fermentation tools that actually make a difference.
We’ve tested crocks, tweaked yogurt makers, and spilled brine on more countertops than we care to admit — so you don’t have to.

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Browse Equipment

Cutting, Slicing & Processing

Breville Sous Chef 16 Cup Food Processor

The Premium Fermentation Prep Station

The Breville Sous Chef 16 is the food processor I recommended earlier — and for good reason. With 24 adjustable slicing settings (0.3mm to 8mm!), five included discs, and a massive 16-cup capacity, this is the ultimate tool for serious fermenters. While it costs significantly more than the Ninja, the precision and versatility make it a worthwhile investment for those who ferment regularly.

The Complete Fermentation Arsenal

24-setting adjustable slicer — from paper-thin 0.3mm to thick 8mm cuts
Reversible shredding disc — fine and coarse options
French fries disc — perfect for fermented potato sticks
16-cup (3.8L) capacity — prep vegetables for weeks of ferments
5.5-inch extra-wide feed chute — fits whole cabbages
1450W induction motor — handles the toughest vegetables
Mini bowl (2.5 cups) — for small batches and spice blends

Why Fermenters Choose This Over Everything Else

The adjustable slicer alone justifies the price — 24 precise thickness settings mean you can dial in the exact cut for each ferment. Want 2mm sauerkraut? 5mm pickle chips? 0.5mm paper-thin onions for quick pickles? One disc does it all. The massive capacity means prepping vegetables for a month's worth of ferments in one session. The extra-wide chute eliminates most pre-cutting — whole bell peppers, onions, even small cabbages fit. The induction motor is commercial-grade, designed to run continuously without overheating. Storage containers keep all discs organized and protected. This is what I'd choose if I could only have one food processor.

💎 The investment piece that transforms fermentation from labor-intensive to effortless.

$499.95

Cutting, Slicing & Processing

Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor

The Fermentation Sweet Spot

The Cuisinart Custom 14 hits the perfect balance between price and performance for serious fermenters. While it doesn't have the Breville's adjustable slicer, you can buy individual discs (2mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm) to get the exact cuts you need. With legendary durability — many users report 20-40 years of service — this is the processor that earns its counter space. At half the price of the Breville, it delivers 90% of the functionality most fermenters actually need.

The Proven Workhorse Features

14-cup (3.3L) capacity — prep a week's worth of ferments
720W motor — handles continuous vegetable processing
Includes 4mm slicing & medium shredding discs — covers basic fermentation needs
Optional discs available — 2mm for paper-thin kraut, 6mm for chunky pickles, 8mm for thick cuts
Extra-large feed tube — reduces pre-cutting time
Simple controls — just on/off/pulse, no confusing settings
Dishwasher-safe parts — everything except the base

Why Fermenters Have Used These for Decades

The real magic is in the available disc options. Start with the included 4mm slicer (perfect for standard sauerkraut) and medium shredder. As your fermentation obsession grows, add the 2mm disc ($32) for super-fine kraut, the 6mm disc ($32) for pickle chips, or the fine grater disc ($38) for horseradish and ginger. Unlike the Ninja's single adjustable disc, each Cuisinart disc is optimized for its specific thickness. The motor is bulletproof — users regularly report inheriting these from parents and still using them decades later. The bowl design minimizes food traps, making cleanup genuinely easy.

🏆 The processor that balances performance, versatility, and value for committed fermenters.

$329.94

Wild Beverage Making

Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System

A Powerful Blender System (But Not Ideal for Fermentation Prep)

The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System excels at transforming your finished ferments into delicious smoothies and drinks. With 1400 peak watts of power, it's fantastic for blending yogurt smoothies, kefir shakes, and crushing ice. However, let's be honest — the food processor attachment only includes a chopping blade, not slicing discs, making it less than ideal for fermentation vegetable prep.

What It Actually Offers

72 oz Total Crushing Pitcher — excellent for large batches of probiotic smoothies
1400 peak watts — powers through frozen fruit and thick yogurt
64 oz Processor Bowl — but only with a chopping blade (no slicing discs)
Two 24 oz to-go cups — perfect for portable probiotic drinks
Auto-iQ technology — 5 preset programs for beverages
Multiple functions — great for smoothies, not so much for fermentation prep

Where It Shines (And Where It Doesn't)

This system is outstanding for the consumption side of fermentation — blending your finished yogurt with fruits, making kefir smoothies, or creating fermented nut-based drinks. The power and pitcher size are perfect for daily probiotic beverages. However, the food processor only chops (creating uneven, chunky pieces), rather than slicing or shredding. For fermentation, you want uniform, thin cuts that ferment evenly — something you'd get from a mandoline or a food processor with proper slicing discs. The chopping blade would give you randomly sized pieces that ferment at different rates, potentially leading to mushy or unevenly fermented vegetables.

🌪️ Exceptional for blending your ferments into drinks, but look elsewhere for vegetable prep.

$149.99

Wild Beverage Making

Ninja NF701 Professional XL Food Processor

The Complete Fermentation Prep Station

The Ninja NF701 Professional XL Food Processor delivers exactly what fermenters need — both slicing AND shredding capabilities! With an adjustable slicing disc (3mm-8mm), a reversible shredding disc (fine/coarse), plus chopping and dough blades, this 1200-watt powerhouse handles every fermentation prep task with the precision that ensures even, consistent fermentation.

The Complete Tool Set for Fermenters

Adjustable slicing disc — dial thickness from 3mm to 8mm for perfect cuts
Reversible shredding disc — fine shred on one side, coarse on the other
Chop/quad blade — for rough chopping herbs or making fermented salsas
Dough blade — perfect for mixing sourdough starters
12-cup XL capacity — prep vegetables for multiple fermentation jars
1200 peak watts — powers through the toughest vegetables

Why This Changes Your Fermentation Game

Having both slicing AND shredding discs is a game-changer for fermentation variety. Use the adjustable slicer for pickle chips, fermented beet slices, or carrot rounds — dialing in the exact thickness each vegetable needs. Flip to the shredding disc for classic sauerkraut (fine side) or chunky kimchi (coarse side). The 12-cup bowl means you can prep a week's worth of different ferments in one session. Unlike processors with only chopping blades, these precision discs create uniform cuts that ferment evenly. No more hand-shredding cabbage for hours or dealing with uneven pieces that ferment at different rates.

🔪 The all-in-one prep station that makes every fermentation project faster, easier, and more consistent.

$149.99