BALWOO Earthenware Onggi 8 Liter (2 gal) Korean Traditional Clay Jar Kimchi Fermentation Crock Review (2026)
Updated September 21, 2026 · Research-based review
Our verdict
The 8 liter version of BALWOO's onggi crock, sized for a full family kimchi batch rather than a small test run. It shares the same breathing clay construction as the smaller jar, so a wide opening and porous walls support traditional slow fermentation, but its size and weight mean it needs real dedicated counter or floor space.
BALWOO's 8 liter (2 gal) onggi crock, sized for family kimchi making and larger batches of fermented radish or cabbage.
Price range: See on Amazon
What we liked
- + 8 liter volume fits several napa cabbages, so a single kimchi day fills it
- + Traditional Korean clay jar supports slow, even fermentation for deeper flavor
- + Wide opening makes packing and scooping out kimchi easy with a hand or ladle
Trade-offs
- - Needs real floor or pantry space, it will not tuck into a small cupboard
- - Porous clay should be seasoned and cared for, unlike a dishwasher-safe jar
Family-Sized Traditional Fermentation
At 8 liters, about 2 gallons, this onggi jar is built for a bigger kimchi day than a small test batch, with enough room for several heads of napa cabbage or a larger run of fermented radish. That puts it above the smaller 3 liter version in the same BALWOO line, which suits households that make kimchi in bulk a few times a year rather than smaller, more frequent batches. The jump in size is a meaningful jump in what the jar can hold at once, so it is worth measuring available space before buying, since an 8 liter crock is noticeably larger and heavier than anything mason-jar sized.
The Same Breathing Clay Principle
Like other onggi, the wall of this jar is porous fired clay that allows a small amount of air exchange, which traditional Korean fermentation relies on to help regulate moisture and temperature during a slow ferment. This is the same construction principle used across sizes in the BALWOO line, so the fermentation behavior should be consistent with the smaller jars, just scaled up to a bigger volume of vegetables and brine. The wide mouth opening common to this style of crock also makes it easier to pack cabbage down firmly and to reach in and scoop kimchi out later with a hand or ladle, compared with a narrower-necked vessel.
Space and Handling Considerations
An 8 liter clay jar, especially once filled with vegetables and brine, is heavy enough that it needs a stable, low spot rather than a high shelf, and it should be moved carefully given how much a full crock of that size weighs. This is a jar that realistically lives on a pantry floor, a low cabinet, or a dedicated corner of the kitchen rather than tucking into a small cupboard the way a jar-sized fermenter would. Earthenware is also more fragile than glass if bumped or dropped, so the combination of size and material means this jar asks for a permanent spot rather than one that gets moved often.
No Included Weights or Airlock
As with the smaller BALWOO onggi, this crock does not ship with a fermentation weight or a water-seal airlock lid, so keeping the cabbage or vegetables submerged under the brine is managed the traditional way, typically with a plate or smaller dish pressed down on top. Buyers coming from a Western-style crock kit that bundles ceramic weights and a gasketed lid should factor in sourcing or improvising a weight, since this jar leans on the breathing clay and traditional technique rather than the mechanical seals common in glass or stoneware fermentation crocks sold in the US.
Who Should Buy the 8 Liter Size
This size fits a household that makes kimchi in real bulk, whether for a large family, gifting jars to relatives, or preserving a big vegetable haul at once, and that has a stable, dedicated spot to keep the crock. It is not the right first purchase for someone just trying kimchi for the first time in a small batch, since the 3 liter or smaller BALWOO jars are easier to manage for a first attempt. For an experienced kimchi maker who has outgrown a smaller jar, the 8 liter size is a natural step up within the same traditional onggi style.
Frequently asked questions
How much kimchi can an 8 liter onggi hold?
About 2 gallons of capacity, enough for several heads of napa cabbage in one batch.
Does this jar include a lid weight or airlock?
No, it relies on traditional methods like a plate pressed on top to keep vegetables submerged, rather than an included weight or airlock.
Is the 8 liter jar heavy?
Yes, both the clay itself and a full batch of vegetables and brine add real weight, so it needs a stable, low, permanent spot rather than a high shelf.
How is this different from the smaller 3 liter BALWOO jar?
It uses the same breathing clay construction, just scaled up to hold roughly two and a half times the volume.
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