Calling All Fermenters and Wannabes
With these new Pickle Pipes, daily burping is a thing of the past. Pickle Pipes are a silicone lid with a “pipe” on top that acts as a valve. Just like the more complex airlocks, Pickle Pipes allow the pressure and gasses that build up during fermentation to escape without
allowing oxygen to get in.
During the years that I’ve been preparing naturally fermented foods, I haven’t used airlocks. Mainly because I could never figure out how to use them. Instead I burped my jars manually every day. Whether I used smaller glass jars filled with water and covered with a plastic bag, or glass and ceramic weights with a mason jar white plastic storage cap, each of the ferments required me to burp them daily.
Fermentation just got easier
With or without airlocks, the mason jars are packed the same way with the contents 
submerged below the brine. Now each jar gets topped with a pickle pipe screwed in place with a jar ring. Then it’s moved to a cupboard to ferment.
With an airlock the fermentation gasses are released without the need for burping. And, as an anaerobic environment is maintained, there is little chance of bacterial contamination or the growth of mold.
Even without the need for daily monitoring, I still take a peek at my ferments to notice that the brine has become cloudy, to watch the bubbles rise to the top, and to appreciate the familiar scent that signals fermentation is taking place.
Fermentation success
I’m so enjoying these easy to use airlocks. In the last two weeks since I’ve had them I’ve used them for six (and counting) different ferments. Four (and counting) are now successfully and deliciously completed. Two jars still fermenting: a jar of this year’s Kosher Dills and my third batch of Kohlrabi Carrot Pickles.
Masontops Pickle Pipes
If you’re still wondering about pickle pipes, here’s how the Masontops’ people describe them.
- One-piece silicone waterless airlock eliminates the risk of mold without any daily maintenance. Vents gases and prevents oxygen exposure automatically. (Italics mine.)
- Pickle Pipes available for both standard and wide mouth
mason jars. - BPA-free, food-grade silicone is dishwasher safe and reusable for many years. Low profile design lets you ferment in small spaces.
- No need to burp jars, maintain water levels in your airlock, or keep track of complicated airlock systems with multiple pieces.
- Just screw onto any mason jar and the Pickle Pipe will do the rest. The only true one-piece “set and forget” waterless airlock that just works.
Buy your own
Pickle Pipes are available through Cultures for Health and Masontops.com
Note: I did not receive any compensation from Masontops to review their product. Nor do I receive compensation from them or anyone else when you purchase this product.