Ohio Stoneware 5 Gallon Preserving Crock Weight

These weights are used, along with a big crock, to make sauerkraut or other fermented vegetables. They fit in several different manufacturer's crocks, and hold the food under the level of brine so there is no mold or yeast formed to disflavor or ruin the final product.My only caution, which I believe has now been addressed, is to make very sure you get the right size/weight for the size of crock you use. Most crocks come in 1, 2, 5, 10, etc. gallons, or their liter equivalents. The size and weight of the weights must work with the size of the crock, so no air gets into the vegetables you are fermenting, which is what causes mold or yeast to form.The fermentation process is "anaerobic," meaning "without oxygen," which means that any of the food that is exposed to air will start going bad, but food that is submerged under the natural brine that develops in the fermentation process will not have this problem. So it is essential to use these weights, or something similar, to keep the food underwater! So you can see that if the weights don't fit the container (crock) you use, the process doesn't work as it should.I know this can be a little confusing at first, so I also suggest you get a book from Amazon on fermenting. I suppose the main food that people make with this is sauerkraut, or pickles, or maybe pickled vegetables. When you learn how neat it is to make your own, and how much better homemade kraut is (taste, nutrition, etc.) than store-bought, you may become a real "kitchen chemist" and start making your own buttermilk, yogurt, sour cream, and many other types of food, all of which are infinitely better for you in every way.I took off one star because when I first bought some weights for my 2 gallon crock, it was not clear which weight went with that size and make of crock. I ended up buying the wrong ones and having to return them. However, I think the descriptions in the Amazon web pages are clearer now, so that shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure the weights you buy fit the size and capacity of the crock you use. (You can use any container, and any weight, but they have to fit each other.) I also strongly suggest you look on You Tube and watch a few of the MANY short how-to's on making sauerkraut. They help you cut to the chase and get your food going.May all your cooking be healthy and nutritious, and give people who eat your food the maximum benefit -- that is love in action!

First, theses weights are doing the job for which I purchased them. Second, I ordered two identical items and received a 3 pound weight and a five pound weight. Definitely not identical items... Three, one of the weights arrived damaged. An entire corner is broken off... Now, having said all of this... They are serving the purpose for which I bought them. I guess I'm just asking the seller to be much more careful when packaging items to ensure the order is correct and arrives undamaged. Low stars for damage to the one disk and the fact that I ordered 2 of the same item and got something else.

I received mine cracked. I already started my fermentation so I can't return it. I'm pretty bummed about it.I guess it will still work, just it has more than 2 pieces now.

They are really nice. Ordered two and one was chipped tho

it works !

Too small for antique crock.put a large plate under it. Worked out well

I have been making sauerkraut for a number of years and it was always a challenge to keep the kraut submerged in the liquid. This has made it so much easier.

Very disappointed when the weights arrived there was a pretty good size chip out of one of them.

Fits perfectly in my 5 gallon crock