Harsch Gairtopf Fermenting Crock Pot - 5 Liter - ME7409

by Harsch

• Fermenting Crock Pot 5.0L (1.3 gallon) capacity
• Beautifully crafted stoneware
• Ceramic Clay fired at 1200°C with a lead free glaze.
• Ceramic weight stones eliminates mold

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 23 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B001QFJ2UC
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,306 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)
  • #29 in Kitchen & Dining > Cookware > Stockpots

Product Description

Make natural nutrition-packed sauerkraut and pickled vegetables with this stoneware crock pot from Germany! Through the years, sauerkraut has been recognized as one of the healthiest foods, and was even used on sailing ships to protect sailors from scurvy. Recently in the news, sauerkraut and pickled vegetables fermented the natural way with lactic acid fermentation are being credited with correcting bodily imbalances of intestinal flora, leading to problems including acid reflux for which doctors often prescribe harsh antibiotics. Natural lactic acid fermentation is one of the oldest and healthiest means of food preservation. It allows natural, beneficial bacteria to perform a fermentation process in which vegetables develop a pleasantly sour taste and remain rich in vitamins and minerals. Lactic acid fermentation is the only method of preservation that retains all the natural plant ingredients while improving the quality, taste and aroma. These beautifully crafted stoneware crock pots from Germany come complete with pot, lid, weighing stones, and instructions.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 102 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mercedes Benz of crock pots! February 7, 2010

By Evelyn Getchell TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

I have had this Harsch Gairtopf Fermenting Crock Pot on my wish list for years. I at long last finally made the purchase when I found the 7.5.Litre size recently through an Amazon link for $119 and free shipping!!! It is the German fermentation stoneware crock by Harsch Steinzeug and has no labelling for Miracle (the sole importer) as it is shown at Amazon. (Mine just arrived from Germany. It was on back order for some time).

This fermentation crock pot is highest quality as you might expect from German craftsmen. It truly is the Mercedes Benz of stoneware fermentation pots. It is made of stoneware and covered with a lead-free glazing. It is beautiful and easy to handle, clean and use.

The unique Harsch method of fermentation is proven. The crock includes 2 stoneware weighing stones which replace the wooden board and cloth of other methods. (If you've ever done fermentation that way, you know the problems you can have). Furthermore the lid has a deep water groove which provides an airtight sealing that prevents undesired yeast from forming. Clear instructions are included as well as some basic recipes.

I debated for a long time between the 5 litre and 7.5 litre crocks. I ended up choosing the 7.5 litre size. (There are also larger ones ranging from 10 to 50 litres). I was a little afraid that I had chosen a crock much too large for just a single person like myself but I'm very glad I settled on the 7.5L. It's perfect although I would still like the 5L too so I can being doing a smaller batch of some other food such as kimchi or pickles fermenting at the same time.

I do have 4 large heads of organic cabbage, about 12 lbs, filling the 7.5L to capacity and fermenting beautifully right now. Considering how much I have to spend each week on store-bought organic, unpasteurized sauerkraut or other cultured vegetables ~ my Harsch crock is going to pay for itself in no time! I am anticipating 8 one quart Mason jars of finished kraut

I love my beautiful Harsch crock, definitely would buy it all over again and hope to do just that soon!

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than sliced bread August 27, 2010

By Mrs. Butler

Amazon Verified Purchase

This may be my favorite all time purchase and I have never tried fermenting before! Within two days of receiving it I was at the farmers market looking for victims! I now have a great crock of pickles that didn't last in my house more than a week as my husband inhaled them. I then went back to order a second one to try Kim Chee while I start another group of pickles.

I would recommend if possible that you fill the crock where it will stay to ferment as it is heavy when filled. I also concur with another review that it can scratch your surfaces if you're not careful so I placed it on a cork trivet.

If you are at all interested in fermenting buy it!

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Time travel back to the Old World September 21, 2011

By Kaniksu Man

Amazon Verified Purchase

I took a tour of Europe in 1993. One day in Salzburg Austria, while waiting to take the "Sound of Music" tour, I wandered down a side street where I purchased a street vendor's bratwurst on a bun with mustard and sauerkraut. I went back later that day for another, and had two the next day, too. It was the best sauerkraut I had ever had in my life. When I returned home to Seattle, I tried to find sauerkraut like I had in Salzburg. No can do. Every time in the past 18 years that I have bought sauerkraut, I have tried a different brand name, different style, glass jars, tin cans, fancy, Bavarian Style, store brand, generic, etc. All the same, but nothing like what I had in Salzburg Austia from that street vendor. All my life my father has told me how he and his mother used to make sauerkraut in a crock pot with an old wood lid and a rock to weigh it down in the dark corner of their cellar. He also tells me of the head cheese, the tripe, the blood sausage, and other nasty things he and his parents would eat that they had had back home in Ljubljana. Thanks Dad, but no thanks, I thought)
Fast forward 18 years. I am surfing amazon.com and see the Harsch Gairtopf Fermenting Crock Pot that will make sauerkraut without that scum on the top. I buy one, the 5 liter size, and prepare a batch of sauerkraut the first day. Six weeks later I open the lid, gingerly try some of this fermented cabbage, and am immediately transported back to 1993 Salzburg. Woo Hoo! This is what I have been searching for. It's the real deal. I now make several batches a year. So easy. I keep jars of the kraut in the fridge at all times. It gets heavy usage during Seafair parties with bratwurst and hot dogs of course, hamburgers too, but I also eat it straight out of the jar. Now if I can just find that mustard...