9 Best Black Garlic Fermenters Of 2023
If you haven’t come across black garlic yet, you don’t know what you are missing out on! This delicious fermented garlic gives a whole new spin on one of our favorite flavors, but it can be a bit expensive to buy from the store.
Fans of black garlic will be glad to hear that it is easy to make this superfood at home, with the help of a fermenter.
But how do you choose the best black garlic fermenter? The best black garlic fermenter is one that has a fully automated intelligent control system, creating the perfect conditions for making soft and chewy black garlic. Some garlic fermenters also have independent time and temperature controls, or settings to make other types of fermented foods.
Read on to learn what makes the best black garlic fermenter and find the one that suits your needs!
What Is Black Garlic?
Hands up if you thought that black garlic was just a different colored type of garlic? Yes, us too! After all, in a world where you can get purple carrots and stripy beetroot, black garlic doesn’t sound all that unusual.
However, black garlic is actually just garlic that has been aged over a long period of time, normally by heating at low temperatures with controlled levels of humidity.
This gives the garlic a unique flavor and texture, like nothing else you have ever tasted!
Black garlic has a sticky and soft consistency and a sweeter, milder taste than normal garlic. The flavor resembles dark molasses and can be used in many dishes.
If you’ve come home from the store with a jar of black garlic, you might be wondering how to eat it. Black garlic can be added to many conventional dishes as a replacement for standard garlic.
But to get the best out of this delicacy, it is normally enjoyed as part of an antipasto platter or as a topping for pizza or bruschetta.
We promise you one thing: once you’ve tried black garlic you will be hooked! Unfortunately, the time it takes to create black garlic means it is incredibly expensive, so you might start wondering if you can make it yourself at home.
If you’re a black garlic fan, then a black garlic fermenter is a worthwhile investment. Expect to spend between $100-$200 on a good quality model.
What Is A Black Garlic Fermenter?
The trick to making black garlic is to keep standard bulbs of garlic at the correct temperature and humidity for long periods of time.
And while you will find recipes claiming that you can do this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, the best way to guarantee perfect black garlic is to invest in a black garlic fermenter.
Now, we need to clear something up here. Fans of fermented foods will have noticed by now that no actual fermentation takes place to create black garlic.
Instead, the black color, flavor, and texture are a result of the Maillard reaction, the same thing that makes the crispy brown bits of roasted foods taste so delicious!
The changes that occur within the garlic are very similar to those that happen in fermented foods. The pungent enzymes within the garlic cloves are broken down, changing the flavor, smell, and texture.
However, fermentation normally occurs due to the action of yeasts or bacteria, whereas black garlic is created purely by the presence of heat and humidity.
You will sometimes hear black garlic referred to as aged garlic or aged black garlic. This is technically more correct, but the name fermented black garlic seems to have stuck in some places.
For this reason, the machines used to create black garlic are often called fermenters, even though no fermentation takes place!
How To Choose The Best Black Garlic Fermenter
There is such a wide variety of black garlic fermenters available that sometimes it becomes overwhelming to choose one for your specific needs.
From the most basic model right up to a snazzy machine with multiple settings, there really is a huge range to choose from!
If you are on the hunt for a new black garlic fermenter, here is what you should take into consideration.
Temperature Settings
Being able to select the correct temperature to ferment your black garlic is crucial. Some models have multiple temperature settings, giving you the flexibility to choose the one which best suits your needs.
As a guide, the following temperatures are used to create black garlic:
- At 140°F, the process will take several weeks. The end result will be garlic that is sweeter, but not as dark as the store-bought version of black garlic. When fermented at this temperature, some of the antioxidant properties are lost.
- At 160-170°F, the garlic will become as black as the store-bought variety, with a soft texture and sweet flavor. This will take around 9 days, depending on whether you use whole bulbs or individual cloves.
- When the temperature is increased to 180°F or above, the process is much faster but it is hard to keep the correct humidity levels. This means that the black garlic can be tough and crunchy, rather than soft and chewy, and the flavor can be slightly bitter.
So, as you can see, the correct temperature and humidity are crucial for creating the perfect black garlic. A machine with different settings will allow you to adjust the time and temperature to suit your needs.
Type Of Black Garlic Fermenter
Black garlic is created by keeping raw garlic at a constant low temperature for long periods of time. Many other types of food can also be made this way, with some slight adjustments to the temperature.
So, as always, we’re big fans of multifunctional machines here! Some black garlic fermenters can also be used to make yogurt, kimchi, fruit vinegar, bread yeasts, and other fermented foods.
You also need to look at the size of the black garlic fermenter you are purchasing. Remember that this process can take nearly 2 weeks to complete, so you will want to do a reasonable-sized batch each time.
Most black garlic fermenters will hold at least six bulbs of garlic, although larger models will take more.
Ease Of Use
Like any new kitchen gadget, picking one that is easy to use is a top priority. You want a machine that you can just pop the garlic in, turn it on and leave it to work its magic!
The machine should also be easy to keep clean and take up as little space as possible.
The process of making black garlic can produce some pungent smells, so you may want a fermenter that you can plug in somewhere less obtrusive than the kitchen.
Look for one with a removable inner liner for easy cleaning, and a ventilated rack to maximize the amount of garlic it can hold.
Quality Of Product
There is no point splashing out on a new black garlic fermenter if it breaks within a couple of months! Buying a cheap, poor-quality product is a false economy, as you will inevitably end up replacing it after a short time.
Look for a black garlic fermenter that is robust and well-made, preferably with a long warranty or guarantee.
The 9 Best Black Garlic Fermenters
From a simple model to an expensive multi-purpose version, there are so many black garlic fermenters to choose from! Below are our top picks for the 9 best black garlic fermenters.
Rank | Product | Best Feature |
---|---|---|
1. | NEX 6L Fully Automatic Black Garlic Fermenter | Best overall black garlic fermenter |
2. | MLGB 6L Multi-Function Black Garlic Fermenter | Can make up to 1.5 kg of black garlic |
3. | Sunbaca Extra Large Capacity 12 Liter Multi-Functional Fermenting Machine | Can make yogurt and ferment fruit |
4. | INTBUYING Multi-functional Health Pot Black Garlic Fermenter | Includes a double-layer stainless steel rack |
5. | Fohapfam Automatic Intelligent Control Black Garlic Fermenter | Comes with humidity circulation mechanism |
6. | JJZXD 6L Large Capacity Smart Auto Fermentation Machine | Has a 6-liter capacity and 3-tier drying rack |
7. | TBVECHI 6L Black Garlic Fermenter | Elegant purple color |
8. | Homend 5L Black Garlic Intelligent Fermentation Machine | Has an easy-clean aluminum cooking pot |
9. | LLC-POWER Black Garlic Fully Automatic Fermentation Machine | Built-in drying function |
1. NEX 6L Fully Automatic Black Garlic Fermenter
This top-quality black garlic fermenter really does tick all the boxes!
It gives you the option of fermentation times from 9-15 days, with an additional drying function if required.
It also takes into account how many layers of garlic you have, to ensure that the optimal results are obtained.
The NEX 6L Fully Automatic Black Garlic Fermenter also has a memory function, which will start where it left off if the power supply is interrupted for any reason.
And with a capacity of 6 liters, this model will hold up to 2kg of garlic. More than enough to keep the most avid black garlic lover well supplied!
2. MLGB 6L Multi-Function Black Garlic Fermenter
The MLGB 6L Multi-Function Black Garlic Fermenter is an incredibly versatile model that can perform a range of different functions.
Firstly, it will make up to 1.5 kg of black garlic, over a period of 7-12 days.
But once you’ve made your garlic, take a look at all the other options you have!
This model can also be used to make yogurt, fruit wine, kimchi, sweet rice wine, fruit vinegar, and baking yeasts.
The fully adjustable time and temperature settings will give you the optimum conditions for perfect results every time, without any hassle. And when you’re finished, the stainless steel pan lifts out for easy cleaning.
3. Sunbaca Extra Large Capacity 12 Liter Multi-Functional Fermenting Machine
The fermentation pot has a 12-liter capacity, giving it the potential to dry up to 4kg of garlic at any one time.
It also has many other functions, including making yogurt and fermenting fruit vinegar.
The only downside to this machine is that it does not have a specific setting for black garlic, so you will need to program it yourself.
But with 6 different functions plus independent time and temperature controls, you will be making perfectly chewy black garlic in no time.
4. INTBUYING Multi-functional Health Pot Black Garlic Fermenter
This multifunctional model packs all the same features as the MLGB fermenter but in a slightly smaller size.
The great thing about this black garlic fermenter is that it includes a handy double-layer stainless steel rack.
This is perfect for keeping your garlic bulbs separate during the fermentation process.
The INTBUYING Multi-functional Health Pot Black Garlic Fermenter can also be used to make yogurt, kimchi, fruit vinegar, and much more.
It has an intelligent control system that will create the optimum conditions for all your fermentation needs. And when you’re finished, the stainless steel pan lifts out easily for decanting food.
5. Fohapfam Automatic Intelligent Control Black Garlic Fermenter
Want to take the guesswork out of making black garlic?
This versatile model has an intelligent hot air convection system and humidity circulation mechanism.
It also has an internal grid structure for keeping the garlic bulbs separated during the drying process.
The aluminum cooking pot of the Fohapfam Automatic Intelligent Control Black Garlic Fermenter gives great heat conduction, reducing temperature fluctuations and maintaining a consistent temperature.
The pot also lifts out for easy cleaning, along with the garlic rack.
6. JJZXD 6L Large Capacity Smart Auto Fermentation Machine
We love how stylish the JJZXD 6L Large Capacity Smart Auto Fermentation Machine is. This model would look great on any kitchen work surface!
The glass lid makes it easy to check the garlic without opening and releasing the heat and humidity.
And with a 6-liter capacity and 3-tier drying rack, you will be able to prepare up to 2kg of black garlic in every batch.
But this model is not just a pretty face! It has 8 different functions, including settings for yogurt, kimchi, rice wine, and natto, but is not too complicated to use.
The simple display panel makes it easy for even the most novice food fermenter to operate.
7. TBVECHI 6L Black Garlic Fermenter
If you are on a limited budget, the TBVECHI 6L Black Garlic Fermenter represents excellent value for money, without compromising on quality.
Plus, it is very stylish, with an elegant purple sheen and clear glass lid.
It contains a 3-tier rack that can hold up to 1.5 kg of garlic per batch.
This model has a longer fermentation time than most, with black garlic taking 12-15 days to complete. The result will be garlic that is not quite as black as the store-bought version, but that has a sweeter and more palatable flavor.
8. Homend 5L Black Garlic Intelligent Fermentation Machine
The Homend Black Garlic Intelligent Fermentation Machine has a 5-liter capacity that will hold around 1.5 kg of garlic per batch.
It has an easy-clean aluminum cooking pot, and a three-tier rack to allow optimum air circulation.
During the fermentation process, warm air and humidity are circulated to create perfect black garlic with the chewy, soft texture we all love.
This model will ferment whole bulbs of garlic in 12 days, and individual bulbs in 15 days.
9. LLC-POWER Black Garlic Fully Automatic Fermentation Machine
Our final model has fully adjustable time and temperature settings, to allow you to personalize them according to your individual needs.
It will ferment for up to 15 days, perfect if you prefer sweeter black garlic cloves.
The LLC-POWER Black Garlic Fully Automatic Fermentation Machine has a handy drying function, that can be used to dry out extra-large garlic bulbs.
This will speed up and improve the overall fermentation effect. It also has an innovative drying rack with adjustable shelves, which can be moved to suit the height of the garlic bulbs.
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