Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I was excited to receive these Kraut Kaps based on other user reviews. I was fully aware that the purchase price is several times that of DIY solutions. Not wanting to tackle a DIY learning curve and having just thrown away a batch of flawed fermented pickles, I rationalized the cost and counted the days until arrival of the lids. It is harvest time and the cucumbers are piling up! Upon arrival (which was reasonably fast), I immediately noticed that the construction of the stopper was very good. It is secured to the lid with a grommet type of recessed groove - that is a plus that might be tricky to replicate with DIY methods. There is also a silicone sealing band that may be removed and cleaned. Presumably to make sure the lid seals airtight to the jar. This lid appears to be a Ball type BPA-free lid. I loaded my jar and started a ferment. Later in the day I noticed several hairline cracks on the airlock chamber. I looked over the other two airlocks in the kit and they had hairline cracks on them as well. These cracks were clean through the thin plastic outer wall. My initial reaction was that the airlocks were extremely thin and cheap. I could see how they would crack very easily. They would flex with the slightest of pressure. Luckily I had ordered a set of 6 replacements for less than $1 each. They arrived the following day and I swapped out my airlock on the ferment. The new airlock outer walls were easily twice as thick and still very inexpensive. At the prices charged for these Kraut Kaps, I really expected a better quality airlock. If you are ordering these I would recommend pricing and ordering replacement airlocks along with your order of Kraut Kaps. In my opinion you are just buying 3 fifty cent caps and 3 one dollar stoppers and paying a huge premium for the grommet style fitting of the stopper.