[ps4624]

.. but my kitchen smells like someone with really, really bad gas has been in there. We're making our first batch of sauerkraut and it is pungent. Ew.

 

[Llyra]

I am so feeling your pain. I am. DH tried making dandelion wine this week, and while I think that's awesome, I finally had to evict his little experiment because the odor was INTENSE.

 

[Otto]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Llyra</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15363698"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I am so feeling your pain. I am. DH tried making dandelion wine this week, and while I think that's awesome, I finally had to evict his little experiment because the odor was INTENSE.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
That's interesting. I've always meant to dabble in the so-called country wines. Is it possible that the "must" is/was infected? (That is, what did it smell like?)

 

[mama2toomany]

My exhs family made dandelion wine all the time in the summer, It does not smell too great while they make it and I don't drink so I am not sure if its all that, but they loved it. lol

 

[krankedyann]

This is where a basement or garage comes in handy. lol!

 

[Teenytoona]

Hmm I've never had a problem with a funky smell from my sauerkraut making.

 

[Laggie]

My sauerkraut doesn't smell either, but it's a small batch, only 1.5 heads of cabbage.

 

[Millie Ivy]

We made a huge batch last year at my moms house in a Harsch (sp?) crock. A big one. Like several quarts for each of us, my mom, my sis, and I. I don't recall a smell at all, unless we got close. And I think this would have been a reeeeeally short experiment at my mama's house if it stank. ;-)<br><br>
Can you open a window and turn on a box fan at it to pull some of it out of the house?

 

[ps4624]

Now I'm worried - am I doing this wrong? I used 5 heads of cabbage. It's in a crock on the kitchen counter (covered). It looks fine, but it does smell pretty strongly. I live in a pretty small apartment in Texas (it's going to be 90 tomorrow) so I'm hoping it's just because of the small quarters.<br><br>
So, how would you know if your kraut was bad?

 

[Millie Ivy]

small quarters, texas (me too! where you at?) and a large amount combined would probably intensify the scent quite a bit. "Gassy" would make sense. If there is no thick weird mold or anything, I would assume it's fine. I mean, cabbage smells like farts and feet right? ;-)<br><br>
We made ours in cooler weather, if I remember correctly. And my mom and dad keep the house cool in the summer, if not. There wouldn't have been the "texas warm summer" problem where the crock was. I still think airing out the kitchen would help you.

 

[Millie Ivy]

Is there a cooler and/or less visited place in the house you could move it?

 

[ps4624]

Hi Millie - thanks for the reassurance. I'll have to scope out a new resting place. We're in Plano near the McKinney border. How about you?

 

[Millie Ivy]

Well, small world, hon. I'm in Flower Mound, and my sister lives in Oak Point. Her little babe was born in Dec of 2008.<br><br>
I'll PM you,

 

[Laggie]

You have it weighted so that all of the cabbage is submerged in the liquid, yes? If so then it should be fine, although I would try to find a cooler or better ventilated spot for it.