To make and store pickles, you need two basic tools: a container and a way to cover it. To keep the inside and outside of the pickle container clean and fresh, choose a non-reactive container and lid. That being said, choose the ones made of glass, stainless steel, food grade plastic, or silicone.
Of course, you can cover the pickles with an old metal mayonnaise lid, or reuse the tin-plated can lids. However, both lids will get corroded due to the pile of pickled brine , leaving a nasty stickiness around the jar, which can be flaked down to the refrigerator shelves and even potentially to the bottom of the lid.
You should store your ingredients in separate jars and bottles, for proper utilization of the space in your refrigerator. You can opt for ROETELL, which is a professional bottle manufacturing company, that can provide you glass jars and soda bottles wholesale.
Types of Lids Which can Be used to store Pickles
Stainless Steel Rings
For pickles, salsa, chutney, and other foods, try to refrigerate for several weeks. You might use a used canned lid with a stainless steel ring. They look like standard canned rings, but fit non-rusting narrow mouth (general) or wide mouth mason jars.
Plastic Lids
Switch to a plastic cap if you are looking forward to store for a few months. Various companies make this for Mason bottles, and some even provide leak-proof silicone seals. The seal should not be overly bulky and large, and the shape should be easy to open.
Canning Approach
The point of canning pickles is to store them in jars with lids on the cupboard shelf. For all household canned products, their bottles and caps must be specially designed for canning. After the bottle has cooled and the flat lid is sealed, remove the ring and wipe the bottle with a cleaning damp cloth. Label each bottle and at least write its contents and date. Do not leave the ring in the bottle. Its purpose was to keep the flat lid in place until sealed.
When that’s done they will only tend to trap moisture and food particles in the bottle chamber, which can lead to rust or mold (this is also true for lids on tatora or other reusable cans, unless the manufacturer’s instructions state otherwise) . Store sealed bottles in a cool, dark, dry place. Storing it in the refrigerator will take up unnecessary space.
Storing Fermented Pickles
If you put the pickles in a glass jar and ferment them, it is easiest to store them in the same container. However, if you are using a bowl, you will need a separate container for archiving. In any case, fermented pickles should be refrigerated . You can use the canning approach, but you will lose the benefits of probiotics and also some of its crispness.
An important rule when fermenting food is to keep it in a proper storage. Pickles are usually soaked in brine. Most of the finished ferment can either sink into the brine or can be put under the shoulders of a bottle. You might use glass fermentation weights while storing them .
The final step is to cover the fermented product with a non-reactive lid. Some airlock lids can be used for storage as well. Fermentology’s Sauer System allows you to replace the bubble lock with a silicone stopper.
Refrigerated Pickles
At some point, all pickles are refrigerated (unless you can eat the whole batch at once). Canned pickles must be refrigerated after opening. If you put fermented salted pickles in the refrigerator, the time to crawl is slowed down, and the desired taste and crispness are maintained. Quick pickles and fresh unprocessed pickles are made and stored at the temperature of the refrigerator from day one.
Challenges While Refrigerating
Space
Your daily refrigerator probably has limited area for storing pickles for several months. It will be wise looking at other long term refrigerator residents and deciding who can get their hands on the boots. Throwing away commercial salad dressings, sauces, bulky packaged foods, and other underutilized space hogs for a fresh change as needed can save a surprisingly large amount of space.
Weight
Half-gallon jars with cucumbers, carrots, red bean paste and kimchi are heavy. The weight of the pickled quart bottle containing pumpkin, pear, watermelon skin and eggs also add up. The plastic glass shelves in the fridge containing pickles might be bent by weight. You might consider attaching extra support to your shelves, to prevent this type of problem.
Others Things That needs to be taken care of :-
- Always try to Store the pickles in either glass bottles or earthenware jars.
- Use a bottle with a wide mouth. The volume of the bottle should be the same as the amount of pickles you are making. This is because the pickles must be filled to the edge to remove the air present in the bottle. A sturdy glass jar with a rigid plastic lid is best suited for this purpose.
- It is important to keep the metal leads out of contact with the vinegar-based ingredients, as the metal will get corroded which will affect the flavor.
- All bottles must be cleaned and sterilized prior to use. The bottle should be washed thoroughly under cold water and also treated with heat along with the water. When the water starts to boil, boil it for an additional 5 minutes. Next, take the bottle out of the water and hold it upside down on a wooden board for a few minutes.
- Do not wipe the sterilized bottle with a cloth. .Male sure to get your bottle or jar sterilized only on the day when you use them
- Always try to use a Stainless steel ladle, while transferring the pickle onto a sterilized jar. Make sure that you label the jar with the type of the pickle, and the date when it is prepared.
Conclusion
Pickles can complement a wide range of food varieties. It adds an interesting flavour to your food that can excite your taste buds. Use the above methods to ensure an adequate shelf-life for your pickles, and enjoy them for a long period of time. Ensure healthy and hygienic practices while storing them in your home. Happy Pickling!
Ikram Ullah is a seasoned content writer and editor hailing from Faisalabad, Pakistan, boasting a decade of rich experience in SEO and content writing. He is particularly distinguished in the realm of technology content writing, where he excels at demystifying complex technological concepts, making them accessible and engaging for a broad audience. Throughout his career, Ikram has made significant contributions to various websites, showcasing his commitment to technological advancements and his skill in creating informative and compelling content. His portfolio includes work for littlebyties.com, republicansunited.com, and invisiblelocs.net, each reflecting his dedication and expertise in the field.