Lid Gasket Kit

Yes. The new Lid Gasket enhances the pickling action. By sealing the Lid to the Jar you will notice subtle changes during fermenting. To recap the unique action of the Perfect Pickler® fermentors: Sequesters air from the Jar with floating Seals out airborne bacteria, yeast, and mold Expels gasses using the Fermentation Lock Keeps vegetables under brine using the Lid The mission is still accomplished without using the Lid Gasket, however you will improve on each of the benefits above.

The Floating Brine Cup is designed to collect brine that wants to otherwise leak out of the Jar. Fermentation produces gas, which builds pressure in a sealed jar. The Floating Brine Cup does this in a unique and clever way. It seals itself firmly under the Lid due to its strong buoyancy. The air inside the Jar is now becomes sequestered from the recipe. That’s important —lactic acid pickling microbes need an airless environment. As fermenting gasses form, the Floating Brine Cup barely dips down to relieve the pressure. Some of the brine seeps into the cup and then instantly reseats itself. The pressure is automatically regulated. At the same time, the gasses vent out through the Floating Brine Cup into the Fermentation Lock.

Many picklers believe the Floating Brine Cup is to keep the pickles below the brine. This is not case, the Lid holds the pickles below the brine. The Floating Brine Cup is unique to the Perfect Pickler®.

The Lid Gasket fully pressurizes the Jar and forces all parts to work more perfectly. Without the Lid Gasket the pressure may push the brine out around the Lid’s threads rather than into the Floating Brine Cup. With the Lid Gasket installed, the brine overflow is collected entirely by the Floating Brine Cup. This is a big advance in jar-style pickling fermentors.

Yes—but there are rare exceptions which doesn’t compromise the pickling action. If there is vigorous fermentation, say from a well packed jar of sauerkraut, the Floating Brine Cup may fill all the way up. In this situation, the brine will overflow into the Fermentation Lock. When you notice this, open the Lid and pour half the brine from the Floating Brine Cup back into the Jar and then discard the rest. Rinse the Floating Brine Cup and reinstall it. You may need to do this twice in the first couple days, until primary fermentation has peaked.

Sometimes the recipe is so tightly packed there is no room for the Floating Brine Cup to float inside the Jar. If it can’t float it won’t receive the brine overflow. Should this happen—not to worry. Twist off the Lid and remove the Floating Brine Cup, remove a spoonful or two of the pickles to allow it to float. Check that there is a little bit of air space in the Jar after installing the Lid.

The Fermentation Lock should be pushed in only until it is just seated and stands erect. You don’t need to push it down more than that. If you do, it will cause brine to climb up into the Fermentation Lock before the Floating Brine Cup is full.

The Lid Gasket is only available in the kit.

It only needs to lightly contact the jar. You don’t need to power tighten for it to pressurize.

Please email Bill Hettig at bill@perfectpickler.com.