ETITSA 2.5 Liter Wide Mouth Glass Fermentation Jar with Water Seal Airlock Lid for Pickles, Kimchi, Sauerkraut Review (2026)

Capacity and visibility

This jar holds 2.5 liters, a size the maker describes as suited to a family of two to five people, which lands comfortably between a small quart jar and a large multi-gallon crock. Being made entirely of glass means you can watch the fermentation process happen, checking brine level, bubbling activity and how vegetables are settling without opening the lid. The wide mouth opening makes it easier to pack shredded cabbage or whole cucumbers in by hand and to pull finished ferments back out, compared with a narrower-necked jar that limits what you can comfortably reach inside during packing or cleanup afterward.

How the water seal lid works

Instead of a spring-loaded airlock, this jar uses a water seal design where the lid has a channel or bowl around its edge that you fill with water, creating a seal that lets fermentation gases escape while blocking outside air, dust and insects from getting in. This design is simple to understand and does not rely on small moving parts that can stick or need replacing over years of regular use. The trade-off is that the water in the seal channel evaporates gradually over the course of a longer ferment, so it needs to be checked and topped off periodically to keep the seal intact.

What you need to add

Fermentation weights are not included with this listing, so vegetables that want to float, such as shredded cabbage or whole cucumbers, will need something to hold them under the brine line to prevent mold from forming on exposed surfaces. Glass or ceramic weights sized for a wide mouth jar are a common separate purchase, and some fermenters use a smaller jar filled with water as an improvised weight in a pinch. Planning for this extra purchase up front avoids a surprise once the jar arrives and a batch is ready to start, since waiting on a weight can delay packing a fresh batch of vegetables into the jar.

Everyday use for kraut, kimchi and pickles

The 2.5 liter size and wide mouth make this jar well suited to a standard batch of sauerkraut, kimchi or brined pickles, where you want enough volume to make the effort of prepping vegetables worthwhile without committing to a large crock that takes up significant counter or shelf space. Glass also means no concern about odors or acids reacting with the container over time, unlike some plastic fermentation vessels that can retain smells after repeated batches. Cleanup after a batch is straightforward since the wide opening allows a hand and brush to reach every corner of the jar without leaving residue behind.

Who should buy it

This suits home fermenters making regular family-sized batches of kraut, kimchi or pickles who want to watch the process happening through clear glass and prefer a water seal over a spring airlock. It is a good middle-ground size for someone who has outgrown small mason jar batches but is not ready for a large multi-gallon crock. Buyers should plan to add fermentation weights separately, and anyone fermenting for a longer stretch should be comfortable checking and refilling the water seal every so often to keep it working properly and prevent outside air from sneaking in around a dried-out seal over time.

Frequently asked questions