Sauerkraut is one of the oldest foods known to man. It's so easy and inexpensive to make that it's hard not to love it. But don't you want the convenience of store-bought sauerkraut without all the extra additives? You can easily make your own at home and control exactly what goes into it. If you're worried about making sauerkraut in a mason jar, read on as we answer your questions:
Probably not.
The pressure of the gas is not enough to cause an explosion.
The pressure of the gas is not enough to force the lid off of the jar.
The pressure of the gas is not enough to cause the jar to explode, because it's sealed inside and there's no air for it to expand into.
The pressure of the gas isn't even powerful enough to make a dent in your Mason jar, let alone break it open like a can would if you shook it hard enough!
Never make sauerkraut in a mason jar that has been frosted.
You'll want to avoid making sauerkraut in a mason jar that has been frosted. A frosted mason jar is a sign of freezer burn, which means that the food inside has been in the freezer for too long. This can also be an indicator that your food was improperly stored when you put it into the freezer.
Always burp your sauerkraut.
To release the pressure in your sauerkraut (and thereby avoid a mess), simply open the jar and let it sit for a few minutes. You can also use a towel to cover the jar; this will allow heat to escape, but won't let any bacteria escape into your fridge.
If you're looking for an extra measure of safety, consider using an airlock on your jars—although they aren't necessary, they'll prevent bacteria from getting back into your sauerkraut while letting gases escape.
There are pros and cons to using a lid that allows gas to escape.
If you're looking for a mason jar to store your sauerkraut, you've probably heard that keeping the lid on can cause explosions. However, there's no need to worry—the risk is overblown and most people have never had this problem.
The truth is that the lids have been designed with safety in mind: they allow gas to escape in order to prevent an explosion. The reason some people experience problems with explosions is because they either don't use enough brine or they don't leave their jars open long enough before sealing them up again after adding additional ingredients like greens or applesauce. If you follow these simple steps and make sure your jar has plenty of brine (at least one inch), then your sauerkraut should be safe from any unwanted explosions!
If you want to dramatically decrease the chance of explosion, use one of those metal lids with a slit in it.
If you're really worried about explosion, there's a simple solution: go to the hardware store and buy a metal lid with a slit on it (or make your own). The metal is much more resistant to pressure than plastic, so it won't explode as easily.
Make sure that when you're closing the jar, the air can escape through the slit in the lid. If all of the air were trapped inside, then there'd be no room for expansion when it gets hot in this experiment!
Sauerkraut is so easy to make that it's worth the small chance of explosion.
- It's good for you. Sauerkraut has long been hailed as a health food, and some studies have shown that it can help reduce cholesterol levels and increase vitamin C absorption. It also contains many other vitamins and minerals, such as iron and potassium.
- You can make a lot at once with just a Mason jar! One large head of cabbage will fill about five pint-sized jars with sauerkraut, which means you can store plenty for later use without worrying about running out before next season rolls around again!
- It's cheap! Cabbage only costs about $1 per pound in most grocery stores these days so if you're looking for an economical way to preserve your harvest then this method is perfect! Just remember to check expiration dates because like any other food product they'll only last so long stored in plastic containers before spoiling - especially when exposed to UV light during processing (which happens when trying heat processing methods like boiling).
We hope that this article has been helpful to you. Sauerkraut is a delicious and healthy food, but it can also be dangerous if not properly prepared. We recommend that you make sure to burp your sauerkraut every day, and use one of the methods outlined above to reduce the chances of explosion.
