Q: I am looking for a fermentation crock that holds 3 to 5 gallons. Sure, I can go on Amazon and eBay and buy one, but I have to pay horrible shipping charges. I strongly believe that somewhere here in Georgia there must be a pottery manufacturer or place that sells these fermentation crocks. Please help. I need to make sauerkraut for its great health benefits. — Ron Saxton, email
A: Ron, I didn’t find one local outlet for your sauerkraut fermentation crock, I found two. At Star Provisions, 1198 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, 404-365-0410, you can get heavy duty Japanese-made crocks that come with lids and weights. For your needs, there’s a 16-liter (4.2 gallons) crock available for $165. If you’re really looking to go big with your kraut, the store also stocks a 20-liter (5.3 gallons) crock for $195. You’ll find a 10-liter (2.6 gallons) crock for $138.50. But, wait, there’s more.
The Bread Beckers, 305 Bell Park Drive, Woodstock, 770-516-5000, is a kitchenware store specializing in grains and mills for those who wish to grind their own flour. However, the store also stocks fermentation crocks, and sells the weights separately. These crocks are a little smaller than most of the ones at Star Provisions. A 10-liter crock sells for $99.99 and the weight costs $14.99. The 5-liter (1.3 gallons) crock is priced at $69.99 and the weight is $10.99.
By the way, the store also offers a variety of affordable cooking classes ranging from gluten-free baking and kids' cooking, to party foods and steak-and-pasta. You can take a look at the crocks at www.breadbeckers.com.
Q: I've been unable to find Jade East aftershave. I like the smell, even though I'm called ancient for still wanting to use it. Help. Thank you. — E. Freeman, email
A: Well, it seems that you're not the only one who wants to wear this popular '60s aftershave. In fact, you hit pay dirt with this request. While you'll find Jade East for sale all over the Internet, it's not sold in local stores. But that's not an issue because I found the company that bought the original formula back in 1989, and it's been turning out the aftershave, cologne and even the women's fragrance, Forever Jade, ever since. But, the really good news for you is that Knight Distributing Company is located in the Atlanta metro area, so you can purchase your fragrance in person. Knight also makes products for thinning hair as well as CSI cosmetics. You can order Jade East aftershave in the 4-ounce bottle for $12.50 through www.kdc-regency.com or by calling 800-241-5800. If you want to pick up Jade East, KDC is located at 1625 Lakes Parkway, Suite G, Lawrenceville.
Q: I have been searching for Luzianne Cold Brew tea bags. I have looked in all the local Atlanta supermarket chains, but they seem to be very difficult to locate. — Alan Miller, Atlanta
A: You’ll find plenty of Luzianne Cold Brew tea bags at Walmart, 1801 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, 404-352-5252. A box of 22 tea bags costs $2.68. And the tea bags are scheduled to be stocked in most Kroger stores any day.
Q: I'm looking for a special kitchen gadget that dispenses butter for corn on the cob. It's shaped like a little farmer or something like that. It sounds silly, but I'd like to buy this for someone who has small children, so I don't want the plain square dispenser. I think they'd get a kick out of this one, but I can't find it. — Alice Martin, email
A: It sounds to me as if you’re looking for a Butter Boy. This whimsical kitchen gadget holds half a stick of butter, which is easily pushed out of the top by pressing on the little plunger. The dispenser stands upright, and the butter stays covered when not in use. You can also use it to butter cake pans, and it’s dishwasher safe. You’ll find the little green plastic Butter Boy wearing blue overalls for $6.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond, 1 Buckhead Loop, Atlanta, 404-869-0457.
