Ball Wide Mouth Half Gallon 64 Oz Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 6 Review (2026)

Who these jars are built for

This set includes six Ball wide mouth half gallon jars, each 64 ounces, with a metal lid and band included for every jar. Made in the USA from BPA free glass, the jars are the large format version of the wide mouth mason jar that most fermentation accessories are designed around, which makes this set a practical choice for anyone making big batches of kraut, kombucha or pickles rather than small single jar experiments. Individually, each jar measures about 9 and a quarter inches tall without the lid and roughly 4 and a half inches across at its widest point, so a full set of six needs meaningful shelf or counter depth to store upright. Someone fermenting only small quantities at a time may find the standard quart size jar a better fit.

Design and what is included

Each jar in the set ships with a two piece SureTight lid and band closure, so the jars can go straight from fermenting to sealed storage once a batch is finished, without needing to source separate lids. The wide mouth opening is the same diameter used across most fermentation weights, silicone airlock lids and packing tools sold for mason jars, which means accessories bought separately for other jars in a kitchen will generally also fit these. The glass itself is not rated as freezer safe, so these are best treated as a fermenting and refrigerator storage jar rather than a freezer container. Six jars in one box also make it straightforward to keep several different ferments going side by side, each clearly labeled and tracked.

Using them day to day

In daily use, the half gallon size handles a full head of cabbage worth of kraut or several cucumbers worth of pickles in one jar, which cuts down on the number of vessels needed for a typical batch compared with quart jars. The wide mouth also makes it easier to pack vegetables with a tamper, fit a fermentation weight, and reach in for cleaning between batches. Because the standard metal bands and lids are included, the same jars can move from active fermentation, once fitted with a separate airlock lid or weight if the ferment needs one, straight into the refrigerator with the original lid for long term storage. That flexibility is one of the more practical reasons this size has become the default choice among home fermenters.

Trade-offs and how it compares

The main complaint with metal canning lids on any brand, including this one, is that the enclosed metal ring under the lid can begin to rust after repeated exposure to salty brine over long ferments, so many fermenters swap in a separate plastic or silicone lid for the active fermentation stage and keep the metal lid for storage afterward. The tall half gallon shape can also be awkward on shorter refrigerator shelves, unlike shorter wide mouth quart jars. Against dedicated fermentation crocks or specialty jars with built in airlocks, this set is more of a flexible, general purpose container, and buyers who want a jar with fermentation features already built in should look at a kit that adds an airlock lid on top of a standard jar like this one.

Verdict and who should pick something else

As a large capacity, widely compatible jar for fermenting and storing at home, this set earns a strong score of 8.8 out of 10 and sits as our top pick for half gallon mason jars. The wide mouth opening and included lids and bands make it a dependable base for kraut, kombucha, pickles or bulk food storage. Anyone who only needs small batches, has limited refrigerator height for a tall jar, or wants a jar with an airlock already built in should look at a smaller quart size or a dedicated fermentation vessel instead, since this set is purpose built around volume and broad accessory compatibility rather than specialized features.

Frequently asked questions