How to Burp Kimchi
skinny kimchi
Warped kimchi containers are a cry for help.
Should I burp my kimchi?
Store-bought kimchi has already gone through the initial fermentation process. If you put it in the fridge right away, and consume it regularly (which means you’d be opening it regularly), you may find you never have to intentionally “burp” it. However, whether you forgot to put it back in the fridge or it was really warm in the car ride from the store, sometimes you’ll find the container fit to burst or shrunken. That’s your cue to burp the thing.
If you are making your own kimchi, where you will be fermenting it on the counter for days or possibly a week. I would definitely give it a burp daily. There are many products on the market that does this step for you though.
Self-Burping products for ferments:
Metal Fermentation Airlock Kit for Wide Mouth Glass Jars (4pk- no jars)
Metal lids may corrode in time, although many people use them. It really depends on your ferment.
Waterless Airlock Fermentation Lids for Mason Jars
These products allow for optimal fermentation by allowing gases to escape without letting in oxygen.
keep in mind that fermentation is an ancient and simple method of preserving food. Don’t overthink it.
Burp it when you remember. Otherwise, put it in the sink, maybe covered in a plastic bag. Just in case.
Step-by-Step to How to Burp your Kimchi:
Transfer kimchi to the sink (to contain any possible mess).
Open top carefully. If it’s full, lovely kimchi juice may leak (or spurt out).
You’ll know it’s not too bad if opening just a bit only lets out excess gas.
There, you did it. You have now burped your kimchi baby.
If you don’t want to do it again, put it in the fridge. If you’re trying to ferment it some more (for a deeper, funkier flavour), burp it once a day.
*An extra note on storing kimchi in hipster trendy mason jars. I would watch those if leaving them out on the counter. They may look totally fine, but I have seen cases of them exploding. If you’re leaving them out to ferment some more, make sure to burp them daily. You can also just close them loosely so there is space for gas to escape- but then you will smell it everywhere. Mm-mm kimchi aroma first thing in the morning. good morning!
do i need to burp my kimchi?
If you are not consuming it frequently (several times a week), I would check on it from time to time. Refrigeration only slows down fermentation- it doesn’t stop it. This means there will always be gas forming inside the container. If leaving it out on the counter, I would really burp it daily (just to prevent any problems building up). It depends on the temperature of your home (the warmer it is, the faster it will ferment, the more gas develops) or the season of the year or where you live.
Do you need to burp kimchi? In the case of store-bought kimchi kept in the fridge, you may find you never need to.
Plastic containers will change shape and warp (usually the lid will start looking a bit funny) and are a bit easier to check visually if they need care. But some containers made specifically for kimchi have a handy inner valve that helps with this. They can also be used for any other fermenting needs: Sauerkraut, pickles, etc. They also feature an inner lid that grips all around that helps seal out air- this would be most useful when you’re making your own ferments I suppose. I mostly use it as a kimchi storage container because it’s nice and big. The inner lid minimizes odours in the fridge, hopefully.
Brown Plastic Kimchi Container with Press and Valve
I use both, but I prefer glass containers. I just use regular locking glass containers that come in a big set so I can use them for other things as well, like this Regular Glass Food Containers with Locking Lids (18pc-set). But they have ones specifically sold as kimchi containers, like these ones from Lock & Lock.
Lastly, there are some people who prefer metal products and stainless steel containers with locking (plastic) lids are available as well.