Re: Something wrong w/ ceramic crocks?

[Guest guest]

Hi

The crockery oughtta be just fine. Consider it pretty much inert as far as KT

is concerned.

Also, in-lieu of a gallon suntea jar, you can get a gallon of pickles usually

cheaper than you can buy the suntea jar for. under 4 bucks usually.

blessings

mark

Something wrong w/ ceramic crocks?

Hi group,

I searched long for a sun-tea type jar with a spigot, and I could

not find one. I ended up trying a crock, made for use as a

drinking water crock, for continuous brewing. Now i see mention

about ceramic possibly having problems. What exactly is wrong,

will the acid disolve the glazing?

I could not bring myself to use plastic, but I guess if the crock

is going to have a negative effect, I may have to.

Thanks,

Foley

Lexington, KY

[Guest guest]

> I could not bring myself to use plastic, but I guess if the crock

> is going to have a negative effect, I may have to.

-

I would think the crock is better than any kind of plastic.

The caution with the crocks depends upon the clay base used for the ceramic.

Was there any lead in it?

The glazing should protect you it was done right.

rusty

Something wrong w/ ceramic crocks?

>

> Hi group,

>

> I searched long for a sun-tea type jar with a spigot, and I could

> not find one. I ended up trying a crock, made for use as a

> drinking water crock, for continuous brewing. Now i see mention

> about ceramic possibly having problems. What exactly is wrong,

> will the acid disolve the glazing?

>

> I could not bring myself to use plastic, but I guess if the crock

> is going to have a negative effect, I may have to.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Foley

> Lexington, KY

[Guest guest]

> The caution with the crocks depends upon the clay base used for

the ceramic.

> Was there any lead in it?

Oh yeah, the crock is stamped " certified lead free " .

Thanks for the reassurance, I like the crock and I think my SCOBYs

do to. It wasn't cheap either, I know, I could have been more

frugal, but I couldn't wait to go continuous and liked the idea of a

spigot.

Thanks again,

in Lexington

[Guest guest]

> The only thing I have heard about the safety of crocks is

that

> some contain lead in the glazing.

> And i don't know how to tell if they do.

> As for the sun tea jars, I have found some in Lexington's

> Goodwill stores. I live in Versailles, KY. and work in Lexington.

Hey, what a small world it is Pat, I did check a couple goodwill

stores before giving in and buying the crock, guess I need to work

on my patience if I want to save money.

Good to " meet " you neighbor,

in Lexington.

[Guest guest]

Actually it is certain glazes that contain lead rather than the clay,

a glaze is a mixture of powdered glass and metal oxides (for color)

that " glazes " the clay with a thin layer of colored glass when fired.

In the past more " leaded glazes " were used, so this is what we watch

out for in older earthenware. In an acidic environment the lead will

leach from the glaze.

If it is a newer crock then I would not worry. You can always have

your brew tested..

Beau

On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 07:41:21 -0800, L.Win <lwinmorgan@...> wrote:

>

> -

> The caution with the crocks depends upon the clay base used for the ceramic.

> Was there any lead in it?

> The glazing should protect you it was done right.

>

> rusty

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

P. Foley wrote:

>Hi group,

>

>I searched long for a sun-tea type jar with a spigot, and I could

>not find one. I ended up trying a crock, made for use as a

>drinking water crock, for continuous brewing. Now i see mention

>about ceramic possibly having problems. What exactly is wrong,

>will the acid disolve the glazing?

>

>I could not bring myself to use plastic, but I guess if the crock

>is going to have a negative effect, I may have to.

>

>Thanks,

>

> Foley

>Lexington, KY

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello everybody,

I'm back to the issue of " leaded glaze " on ceramic pots - it was

discussed a few months ago (see below) but here's a new question:

I started brewing two weeks ago and the pot I'm using seems to have

been affected by the mushroom: there is a clear mark in the pot and it

looks like the glaze came off... Does this necessarily mean that the

glaze, affected by the acid, contains lead?

It would probable be better to start anew... in a glass container this

time... but I was wondering, would you throw away the mother (that

seems so harsh!)?

Thanks in advance for any kind of input,

Kindly,

> >

> > -

> > The caution with the crocks depends upon the clay base used for

the ceramic.

> > Was there any lead in it?

> > The glazing should protect you it was done right.

> >

> > rusty

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Yes for many reasons...

glass should be used for all kombucha brewing, lead and metal

poisoning is no fun. As a potter I can tell you that many glazes

contain heavy metals which the kombucha will draw out. The pots/jars

may be ok for eating in but brewing KT is a different story. As for

the clay...it too can contain trace metals and elements that would not

be good to intake via the kombucha tea. This is one of the main

concerns from the FDA - USE FOOD GRADE GLASS ONLY. This means no

plastic or cheap Wal-mart suntea jars. You must be safe and one

should not take any chances.

I would reconmend getting a new mother culture, too.

peace,

Nirinjan

kombucha.anahatabalance.com

>

> Hello everybody,

>

> I'm back to the issue of " leaded glaze " on ceramic pots - it was

> discussed a few months ago (see below) but here's a new question:

>

> I started brewing two weeks ago and the pot I'm using seems to have

> been affected by the mushroom: there is a clear mark in the pot and it

> looks like the glaze came off... Does this necessarily mean that the

> glaze, affected by the acid, contains lead?

>

> It would probable be better to start anew... in a glass container this

> time... but I was wondering, would you throw away the mother (that

> seems so harsh!)?

>

> Thanks in advance for any kind of input,

> Kindly,

[Guest guest]

Nirinjan, .....we all will benefit from your expertise. Many of us, ole'

timers, agree with your container facts and new ones will ones will now

" hear it from an expert " . Many, many thanks for taking time to share with

us.

Sunny days.... Dolores

Re: Something wrong w/ ceramic crocks?

>

>

> Yes for many reasons...

>

> glass should be used for all kombucha brewing, lead and metal

> poisoning is no fun. As a potter I can tell you that many glazes

> contain heavy metals which the kombucha will draw out. The pots/jars

> may be ok for eating in but brewing KT is a different story. As for

> the clay...it too can contain trace metals and elements that would not

> be good to intake via the kombucha tea. This is one of the main

> concerns from the FDA - USE FOOD GRADE GLASS ONLY. This means no

> plastic or cheap Wal-mart suntea jars. You must be safe and one

> should not take any chances.

>

> I would reconmend getting a new mother culture, too.

>

> peace,

>

> Nirinjan

> kombucha.anahatabalance.com

>

>

>>

>> Hello everybody,

>>

>> I'm back to the issue of " leaded glaze " on ceramic pots - it was

>> discussed a few months ago (see below) but here's a new question:

>>

>> I started brewing two weeks ago and the pot I'm using seems to have

>> been affected by the mushroom: there is a clear mark in the pot and it

>> looks like the glaze came off... Does this necessarily mean that the

>> glaze, affected by the acid, contains lead?

>>

>> It would probable be better to start anew... in a glass container this

>> time... but I was wondering, would you throw away the mother (that

>> seems so harsh!)?

>>

>> Thanks in advance for any kind of input,

>> Kindly,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Why would you not want to use a Wal-Mart sun tea jar as long as it was made

out of glass?

Doug

Re: Something wrong w/ ceramic crocks?

Yes for many reasons...

glass should be used for all kombucha brewing, lead and metal poisoning is

no fun. As a potter I can tell you that many glazes contain heavy metals

which the kombucha will draw out. The pots/jars may be ok for eating in but

brewing KT is a different story. As for the clay...it too can contain trace

metals and elements that would not be good to intake via the kombucha tea.

This is one of the main concerns from the FDA - USE FOOD GRADE GLASS ONLY.

This means no plastic or cheap Wal-mart suntea jars. You must be safe and

one should not take any chances.

I would reconmend getting a new mother culture, too.

peace,

Nirinjan

kombucha.anahatabalance.com

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Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.

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[Guest guest]

Or if you're short on cash just ask your nearest convienence store if you could

have their next emptied gallon pickle jar. I used to be in the restaurant

business and we frequently were throwing away gallon glass jars.

Tim

" H. Aiken " <dhaiken@...> wrote:

Why would you not want to use a Wal-Mart sun tea jar as long as it was made

out of glass?

Doug

Re: Something wrong w/ ceramic crocks?

Yes for many reasons...

glass should be used for all kombucha brewing, lead and metal poisoning is

no fun. As a potter I can tell you that many glazes contain heavy metals

which the kombucha will draw out. The pots/jars may be ok for eating in but

brewing KT is a different story. As for the clay...it too can contain trace

metals and elements that would not be good to intake via the kombucha tea.

This is one of the main concerns from the FDA - USE FOOD GRADE GLASS ONLY.

This means no plastic or cheap Wal-mart suntea jars. You must be safe and

one should not take any chances.

I would reconmend getting a new mother culture, too.

peace,

Nirinjan

kombucha.anahatabalance.com

--

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Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.

Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.6.0 - Release Date: 3/2/2005

[Guest guest]

I buy water from a water purification store. The owner was reluctant to sell

me a ceramic crock for making KT, not because of the crock, but rather the

plastic spigot. He was afraid that the acid in the KT would accelerate the

breakdown of the plastic spigot.

Re: Something wrong w/ ceramic crocks?

>

>

>

>Yes for many reasons...

>

>glass should be used for all kombucha brewing, lead and metal poisoning is

>no fun. As a potter I can tell you that many glazes contain heavy metals

>which the kombucha will draw out. The pots/jars may be ok for eating in

but

>brewing KT is a different story. As for the clay...it too can contain trace

>metals and elements that would not be good to intake via the kombucha tea.

>This is one of the main concerns from the FDA - USE FOOD GRADE GLASS ONLY.

>This means no plastic or cheap Wal-mart suntea jars. You must be safe and

>one should not take any chances.

>

>I would reconmend getting a new mother culture, too.

>

>peace,

>

>Nirinjan

>kombucha.anahatabalance.com

>

>

>

>--

>No virus found in this outgoing message.

>Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.

>Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.6.0 - Release Date: 3/2/2005

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I use a 1 gallon glass tapper jug with a plastic tap. I find that I can test the

doneness of my tea with out disturbing the mother or baby. It sits next to the

edge of the counter covered with a dark colth so I do not have to move the jar

until the tea is done. The tap can be unscrewed and removed for more through

cleaning. You could replace the spigot.

http://w3.trib.com/~kombu/SunTeaJar.html

-Moo

---------------------------------

Celebrate 's 10th Birthday!

Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web

[Guest guest]

Plastic - Food Grade are acceptable.

Roussin (kombucha-research.org) specifically tested different

plastics for possible reaction to kombucha fermenting. He found Food Grade

Plastic acceptable. meaning no leaching of toxins into the KT. The testing

was specific for different plastic. He recommended not storing in baggies or

non-food grade plastic. Tupperware was tested as OK (does not have a grade)

Food grade plastic is usually indicated by the number 1 or 2 inside a

triangle. I use containers that are (HPDE Grade 2) made of high-density

polyethylene. They meet NMFC, FDA and UFC requirements. Can be hot filled up

to 190° F, steam sterilized or frozen without deterioration.

There are of course purist. Those that insist on only glass, absolute no

contact with metal, specific tea only, etc.. I (as do many commercial

kombucha growers) also use kombucha in only glass, using organic sugar and

teas, etc to accommodate those individuals.

Sun Tea jars being glass are OK - except they have the non-graded potential

hazardous (??) rubber spigots. The spigots which often leak are a poor

quality and should be replaced with a food grade spigot that are used in

beer and wine brewing. For health concerns I think the beer and wine

industry which support a huge home hobby needs offer very good well research

advice and products.

Most everything is a trade-off. But as our numbers grow and we start

demanding better health things will fall in place.

Food Grade Plastic is safe. Affordable and easily replaced.

A 5 gallon Glass vinegar cask with (plastic) spigot retail around $80.00

(plus shipping) are nice for brewing KT and should be on everyone's wish

list.

other real toxic concerns

1. water is not tested or regulated or graded. OK tap water is... but should

be avoided !

2. white sugar - the most efficient fuel for our kombucha contains

pesticides and chemical residues

3. common tea - kombucha thrives on it and its cheap contains pesticides and

chemical residues

I would encourage all to do the best they can.

Ed Kasper LAc. Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist

Acupuncture is a jab well done

www.HappyHerbalist.com Santa Cruz, CA.

RE: Something wrong w/ ceramic crocks?

Why would you not want to use a Wal-Mart sun tea jar as long as it was made

out of glass?

Doug

[Guest guest]

Hi Nirinjan, Glad you answered so fully. Glad to know about the

Wal-Mart suntea jars. I had stopped using mine because the spigot allways

got stopped up with little tiny SCOBYs shaped like a ring tabs. I figured to

start using them again, and letting a little tea/starter out through the

spigot. Guess I'll fill them up with gravel to the outflow level and use

them for planters LOL.

Janice in PA

.. This is one of the main

> concerns from the FDA - USE FOOD GRADE GLASS ONLY. This means no

> plastic or cheap Wal-mart suntea jars. > Nirinjan

> kombucha.anahatabalance.com

>

>

>>

>> Hello everybody,

>>

>> I'm back to the issue of " leaded glaze " on ceramic pots - it was

>> discussed a few months ago (see below) but here's a new question:

>>

>> I started brewing two weeks ago and the pot I'm using seems to have

>> been affected by the mushroom: there is a clear mark in the pot and it

>> looks like the glaze came off... Does this necessarily mean that the

>> glaze, affected by the acid, contains lead?

>>

>> It would probable be better to start anew... in a glass container this

>> time... but I was wondering, would you throw away the mother (that

>> seems so harsh!)?

>>

>> Thanks in advance for any kind of input,

>> Kindly,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Great idea!

RE: Something wrong w/ ceramic crocks?

>

>

>If you like buying at Wal-mart ---

>

>1. go to the Pet Shop area, look for glass " fish bowl " ,

> big & small, different sizes.

>2. go to the Houseware area, look for glass " ice bucket " ,

> a " gallon " or bigger in size.

>

>cost less than $6.00, beautiful style !!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>