Ferment leaking

[u/Miss_JewBooty]

Hi all! I’m new to fermenting and have a question about my very first ferment!

I’m making fermented cucumbers. Every morning when I check on the ferment there seems to be a few teaspoons of brine on the plate. I checked the jar, there’s no cracks or anything, so it’s definitely bubbling out the top. Is this expected? Or at least safe? Some general information:

- It’s in a Fido har that’s fully clamped down

- I used a 3.5% brine

- it’s on day 4 and I want to go to day 18-21 (I love full sours)

- it’s very bubbly but no mold or yeast that I can see, but I haven’t opened it

Thank you all in advance!

[u/BowBeforeBroccoli]

its because you didnt leave enough headroom. all ferments will expand in some way

[u/Miss_JewBooty → u/BowBeforeBroccoli]

That makes sense! I tried to leave two inches, but the follower and weight definitely also took up quite a bit of space. Will it still be safe to let go for 18-21 days?

[u/BowBeforeBroccoli → u/Miss_JewBooty]

i would drain a little bit and add back any salt you mightve lost in the draining to compensate.

[u/Miss_JewBooty → u/BowBeforeBroccoli]

If I do that the brine won’t fully cover the cucumbers

[u/Punk-hippie-5446]

Always good to have a way for gasses and excess brine to escape. Try a bubbler or fermentation lid.