I'm in the market for a brining bucket and I'm wondering what everyone's best choice for one is before I decide on one to buy. I'd prefer something other than a 5 gallon bucket as I will not be brining anything that large or that big of quantity. The largest thing I will brine is one turkey at a time.
I use a cat little bucket (seriously), but with a brining bag inside of it.
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that is open for so many comments!
i wonder if that would work for sauerkraut?
For smaller brining jobs I use the 8 quart Rubbermaid square food storage containers. They are fairly small in width, and tall so they are useful for a variety of brining jobs. They don't stain or hold any odor.
They also sell round ones in a couple of sizes. If you go to their sight and type in "rubbermaid food storage", they have a larger variety.
8 Quart Container (http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=185785&navAction=)
We buy food balls (mixture of seeds and fat) to hang in the trees to feed birds in the winter. These are food grade and work a treat for brining. Dishwasher safe and come in approx. 1 gallon and three gallon sizes. I've used the same ones over and over again.
I have a frosting bucket (3 gal) that I got from the local gas station that makes donuts (Casey's if your in the midwest)
Sounds like I just need to make an inquiry at a local gas station to see what kind of buckets they may have from various types of items they cook. Here I was thinking I may need to buy one ::)
I have one of those frosting buckets from a nearby bakery as well. 3 gal - give or take. They sold it (and the lid) to me for like 2 bucks.
My large stockpot holds a plastic bag with a 14-pound turkey (which is about as large a bird as I cook anyway) plus the brine and fits in the fridge. Anything larger I bag, brine, put in a cooler, and cover with ice and water (adding ice if necessary to maintain temp).
I use a 5 gal. stone crock that I inherited from my mother for my brine crock. Easy to clean, and best of all sanitary.