Michigan State University Extension
Preserving Food Safely - 01600557
10/13/97

### PICKLING EQUIPMENT

     For  brining or fermenting pickles, use a crock  or  stone

    jar,
     an unchipped enamel-lined pan, a large glass  bowl  or

    jar,
     or a food-grade plastic container.  Plastic containers

    which
     are  obviously  intended for food  use,  like  mixing

    bowls,
    food keepers, or cake savers, are food grade.   Large

    food-grade
     plastic containers are available at  wine-making

    supply
     stores.  Do not use plastic pails or trash cans  for

    brining
     pickles.  Toxic compounds could migrate from  these

    containers
    into the brine.

     For  heating pickling liquids, use utensils  of  unchipped

    enamelware,
    stainless steel, aluminum  or glass.  Do not use

    copper,
    brass, galvanized or iron utensils.

     A  brine-filled  plastic  bag is an  effective  cover  for

    sealing
     the  brine  surface  and  keeping  out  air,   thus

    preventing
     the growth of yeast or mold.  The bag should  be

    of
    heavyweight, watertight plastic and intended for use with

    food.
      Fill  the  bag with enough brine (6 tablespoons salt

    to
    1 gallon of water) to  form  a  tight-fitting  cover over

    the
    cabbage or cucumbers.  Tie it tightly so  the water will

    not
    leak out.

     For  added protection, place the brine-filled  bag  inside

    another
     heavyweight,  watertight plastic bag  intended  for

    food
     use.    Check  the  bags  daily  for  leaks.   Replace

    leaking
    bags.

##### Go To Top of File &&&&&& MSU Extension Home Page &&&&&& Main Page for this Data Base

###### This information is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This information becomes public property upon publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise a commercial product or company. This file was generated from data base 01 on 03/09/98. Data base 01 was last revised on 10/13/97. For more information about this data base or its contents please contact wrublec@msue.msu.edu . Please read our disclaimer for important information about using our site.