Our Favorite Fermentation Tools

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.

Some links here are affiliate links. If you buy through them, it helps keep Fermentfulness growing — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I’ve used, tested, and truly love. Learn more.

Browse Equipment

Image of Baytoot Wide Mouth Sourdough Jar Starter Kit – 33 oz (Grey)Sourdough & Baking Gear

Baytoot Wide Mouth Sourdough Jar Starter Kit – 33 oz (Grey)

When You're Ready to Give Your Sourdough the Jar It Deserves

Yes, you can raise a beautiful sourdough starter in a Mason jar.
But if you’ve ever spilled discard on your counter, lost track of feeding days, or fumbled with cling wrap and rubber bands — this jar changes the game.

The Baytoot starter jar kit is thoughtfully designed for the fermentation-obsessed and the sourdough-curious alike.
The wide-mouth glass makes mixing and cleaning a breeze. The silicone sleeve keeps things cozy while shielding your starter from sunlight.
And the air-control lid? A dream. Let your starter breathe when it needs to, and lock things up when it doesn’t.

It even includes a silicone spatula (so you don’t destroy your knuckles scraping the jar) and a thermometer strip (for those of us who geek out over optimal temps).


Why I Love It:

  • Wide-mouth 33 oz glass jar — easy to mix, easy to clean, easy to love
  • Rotating lid with day markers — no more “wait… did I feed this yesterday?”
  • Silicone sleeve — maintains warmth and blocks light without hiding your starter
  • Airflow control lid — better than a cloth cover, with actual control
  • Bonus tools included — food-safe spatula + temperature strip
  • All parts dishwasher safe — because sourdough should be joyful, not messy

🍞 If you’re going to feed a living culture every day, it might as well live in a home that makes it (and you) feel taken care of.

$35
Image of E-Jen Premium Kimchi, Sauerkraut Container Probiotic Fermentation with Inner Vacuum Lid (Earthenware Brown, 2.9 gal/11L)Fermentation Vessels

E-Jen Premium Kimchi, Sauerkraut Container Probiotic Fermentation with Inner Vacuum Lid (Earthenware Brown, 2.9 gal/11L)

Why This Container Is My Go-To

Out of all the fermenting containers I’ve used over the years, this one stands out — by a mile.

It’s hands-down the easiest to use, and I recommend it to beginners and seasoned fermenters alike.
The inner vacuum lid keeps everything submerged, and when your ferment is ready, you can just open it, scoop out what you need, and press the lid back down.
No fuss. No mess. Still fully protected.

For long-term storage, nothing beats this.
It’s clean, odor-blocking, sturdy, and comfortable to use again and again.

Honestly, I’ve never had a fermentation fail in this container.
Sauerkraut, kimchi, giardiniera — they’ve all come out exactly how I wanted them, every single time.


Details:

  • Material: BPA-free, lead-free earthenware and food-safe plastic
  • Capacity: 11 Liters (2.9 gallons)
  • Style: Rectangular with clip-on vacuum lid
  • Care: Dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe
  • Odor Control: Excellent — thanks to the double-lid system

💬 If you want one container you can trust to get the job done every time, this is the one.

$46.99
Image of Greater Goods Sous Vide Container 12 Qt (11.4L)Fermentation Vessels

Greater Goods Sous Vide Container 12 Qt (11.4L)

The Container That Makes Sous Vide Actually Practical

After years of using stockpots and covering them with plastic wrap (we've all been there), a dedicated sous vide container is a game-changer. The Greater Goods 12-quart (11.4 liter) setup isn't just a plastic box — it's a thoughtfully designed system that solves the real annoyances of long-duration cooking and fermentation projects.

What's in the Complete Kit

  • 12-quart/11.4-liter polycarbonate container — clear sides for monitoring, NSF-approved for food safety
  • Custom-fit lid with cutout — eliminates water evaporation during 48-hour cooks
  • Neoprene insulation sleeve — maintains temperature efficiently, saves energy
  • Stainless steel rack — keeps bags submerged and organized, no more floating food
  • Universal compatibility — works with Anova, Joule, and most immersion circulators

Why This Beats Your Stockpot

The insulated sleeve is the unsung hero here — it reduces heat loss significantly, meaning your circulator works less and uses less energy during those marathon tempeh incubations or 24-hour short ribs. The rack system keeps multiple bags separated for even circulation, crucial when you're batch-cooking proteins or maintaining different fermentation vessels at precise temps. At 12 quarts (11.4L), it handles family-sized portions but stores vertically without dominating your cabinet space.

🔲 Essential for serious sous vide users who've graduated from the "pot-on-the-counter" phase and want professional results with minimal babysitting.

$60.99
Image of Ohio Stoneware 2-Gallon (~7.5L) Fermentation Crock Kit – Made in USAFermentation Vessels

Ohio Stoneware 2-Gallon (~7.5L) Fermentation Crock Kit – Made in USA

Built Like the Old-School Crocs — Because It Is One

If you're craving a traditional, American-made fermentation setup that can handle years of bubbling kraut and hearty batches of pickles, this is it.

The Ohio Stoneware 2-Gallon Crock Kit includes everything you need to get started: the crock, the lid, and a pair of classic fermentation weights.
The stoneware is thick, heavy, and made in Zanesville, Ohio — it feels like something your grandparents might've passed down (if they were fermentation freaks like us).

It's not flashy, but it's incredibly solid.
It’s dishwasher-safe, food-safe, and frankly — it just gets the job done.

Perfect size for two large heads of cabbage, and a great pick for folks who want something reliable, zero-plastic, and ready for serious fermenting.


Details:

  • Material: Lead-free glazed stoneware
  • Capacity: 2 Gallons (~7.5 liters)
  • Includes: Crock, lid, 2 weight stones
  • Made in: USA (Ohio)
  • Care: Dishwasher, oven, and microwave safe
  • Weight: 22.1 lbs (10 kg) — it’s got heft

🇺🇸 Classic. Durable. Made for fermenters who appreciate craft.

$80.55
Image of Seeutek Fermentation Crock Jar 5L – Stoneware Pot with Weights, Lid & Pickle TamperFermentation Vessels

Seeutek Fermentation Crock Jar 5L – Stoneware Pot with Weights, Lid & Pickle Tamper

For Fermenters Who Want a More Classic, Hands-Off Setup

If you're looking for a non-plastic, beautifully traditional way to ferment — this stoneware crock delivers.
It’s solid, weighty, glazed inside and out, and makes your countertop feel like a little slice of farmhouse magic.

I often recommend mason jars — they’re versatile, affordable, and fantastic for small-batch experiments, yogurt, and daily kitchen rhythm.
But when it comes to longer ferments or bigger batches, this crock just makes life easier.

It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and the included stone weights and tamper mean your veggies stay fully submerged, right where they need to be.

Water-sealed crocks like this one are especially helpful for reducing surface mold and creating a more stable fermenting environment.
Gas escapes naturally, oxygen stays out, and your ferment does its thing with confidence.


Details:

  • Material: Lead-free, cadmium-free glazed ceramic
  • Capacity: 5 Liters (1.3 gallons)
  • Includes: Stone weights + wooden tamper
  • Weight: ~10.6 lbs (feels like quality)
  • Cleaning: Smooth surface for easy scrubbing — no corners or coatings to worry about
  • Design: Deep lid groove for water seal + breathable gas release

🥬 For big kraut projects or seasonal batches, this crock brings ease, beauty, and results.

$53.99