8 weeks ago I set this jar of shredded cabbage in my version of cell room. I have done this before I the past usually starting in October. I also have a 5 gallon pail I started in later September going.
I really haven't looked closely at the jar since I set it in the room. Today I decided 8 weeks is long enough as I usually do 6-7 weeks.
First thing I noticed is got fruit flies around jar. That's new for me never seen that in past. Then I opened the jar and find the larva had gotten in. Now I'm not squeamish but I just never had a batch of sauerkraut look like this on top. Used to some fuzzy mold maybe even black goo. Not this brown funky mess.
Now once scrap the goo off it looks fine. I will say the smell is bit off more of earthy smell than normal kraut smell.
So what's the jury of Tman think?
I think with the goo off I can probably jar it. Water bath it and be fine if it doesn't taste funky?? I haven't tasted it yet.
Of course wife took one look said dump it. It's only a gallon jar so not to concerned if it's junk.
I do need to look closer at my bucket that was sitting next to it. See if it's got bugs?

Inside of the lid looks like this. I have done this in past coffee filter over top with lid on loose.
Never had bugs but was always cooler weather when started.



Top of the kraut in jar



How looks with goo scrapped off.



I'm sure old timers must have dealt with this at times. I've just never had it happen to me.

What say the people who aren't the toss all kraut crowd???

Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

I've eaten some dodgy food, cutting mold off stuff and eating some past it's time pork, just washed it off and cooked it. But.... That looks like it should go on the compost heap, sorry....

Throw that mess out!

Come on Angela I could probably feed it to you and you wouldn't even know.. LoL
It is a mind game now so if I don't toss this small batch. My guess the wife will never touch any I make again if I try salvage it.

Best go check the big batch see what is going on with it.


Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

LOL I saw that pic and told Pete that I am never eating anything Mark cooks again!! LMAO

What did you use to seal the kraut in the fermentation vat? Isn't that supposed to be anerobic? No air. No fruit flies?

Everything has to be submerged under liquid. ?

I've never seen kraut look like that. Usually it produces a lot of juice/moisture.

Did you add the right amount of salt?

I probably wouldn't eat it.

I'm guessing they're not moving. Lol looks like it could be yeast. Which doesn't make sense for SC. Toss it. Do you have a glass weight for it?

I guess don't know about that part. I have done this gallon jar thing in the past. Pack it in layers with salt. Put paper coffee filter over top. Screw the lid on just enough so gas does blow jar up. I will say I have only done the jar couple times this being the 3rd I think. When I did it in past was for things like garlic added in brew.

The big bucket I shred in the cabbage pack and salt in layers. Have a glass pie plate sits nice in on top of that maybe 1/4 or So gap around edge. . Put couple quart bags of water on the plate for weight. My mother used board cut round and brick in her crock.. Then I throw piece of linen over the bucket set the lid down on that. Been doing it in the bucket that way for at least 10 years no issues. There is always little funk on top every patch I've ever made around the plate.

I'm thinking the bugs were in right at get go in this one???

Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

And that's why ...Nessy does NOT do Potluck Dinnahs

Oh come on where is your sense of adventure???
This is probably gourmet in some third world country 😁. Throw some hot pepper on it .

I'm guessing the prepper's out there find a use for it.. lmao maybe run small engine off the fumes.

As they say "Guess the worms gotta eat too!" So off to the trash with it.

I might get away with testing my package skunk juice on the wife nose. She see me jaring this up she be like Angela never notch anything I cook again.

Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

Just checked my big batch and all looks fine. It has been 4 weeks ago today I packed it. So for now looks good. Guess will see how it goes, what looks like in another 3-4 weeks. I'm wondering if weather being so dry makes a difference? The first couple times I made it in a bucket. It actually worked up ran moisture out over the top. I've since kept it lower in the bucket so don't spill over. This actually looks bit dry?? But then in the past I have just put it together kinda walk away. Check when calendar says.




Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

https://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/ask-jackie-a-question/

Might take a while, but i'm sure Jackie knows.

Food grade bucket...I hope

Not a home Depot bucket that had ...who knows what in it...and PPE ...lol

I had the same problem with a 5-gallon batch this fall. I tossed mine.

I make at least 2 five gallon buckets of kraut every year for decades now.
No lid is need. I stretch a T-shirt over the top of the bucket and tie a string around it.
In my bucket is the salt and kraut which was pounded. On top of that , cheese cloth and a plate with a rock or brick on it to keep the concoction submerged below the liquid.
It always grows a rubbery mold on top and this is normal.
Those maggots and black rot ooze you have on top of that bucket are no good. That is ROT not fermentation.

Can you eat the clean looking kraut below it..........

Probably but you may get a real bad case of the "trots"lol

As stated above I use a small crock that makes about 7-10 qts. I get enough juice to cover the slaw about 2 inches. If I don't get enough I make some brine and add. I put a dinner plate in my crock and put a weight on it I then do as above using a cut up old t-shirt and then using a big rubber band hold that tight. I open periodically to lift all off mold or scum on the top. Mine ferments for 6 weeks and then put in jars and pressure cook.
I would not eat what you have there and I am known to be pretty "loose" about what I eat.

Bryce

Im not paying for bucket from Home Depot. I usually get them from out back of the car wash their free . lmao

Yes I know to use a food grade buckets just can't find one in Blue..LMAO The Kraut would probably be perfect every time in blue bucket.
This one had dill pickles in it I set it aside only for making kraut, got others had salad in them use for other things. My daughter is a deli manager for local store I get some buckets there. My son was also a meat cutter. So we are well versed in food handling.. I also have couple other sources for food grade buckets if need them. We are not people who wrap our skinned deer in garbage bags or the cheap tarps either. Have used a clean white bed sheet time or two.. But they were washed and stored just for that purpose.
I'm not big germ phob but not a total slob either.
Most of the people who talk about dislike of game. Lots of times it wasn't handled the best or prepared in way they liked.
We have had discussions about that topic here on Tman plenty times. Different strokes for different folks I say. I know I don't want anything Vinke mixed with his feet. Even washed. LMAO.

Right now I'm going to run to the grade school get a chicken diner. PTO are selling for fundraiser. Not so sure about the fellas cooking them birds. Only been doing it for 20-30 years still don't trust him. LoL

Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"