Has anyone used Mrs. Wages dill pickle mix?

[clifish]

I have been using the Ball mix but it has been discontinued. How was the Mrs. Wages if you used it. Did it need pickle crisp added to it? I know I can probably get a recipe and do it from scratch, but why reinvent the wheel.

Any recommendations of other products or what you like to do would also be appreciated.

thx Cliff

 

[Steve H]

I have been using the Ball mix but it has been discontinued. How was the Mrs. Wages if you used it. Did it need pickle crisp added to it? I know I can probably get a recipe and do it from scratch, but why reinvent the wheel.

Any recommendations of other products or what you like to do would also be appreciated.

thx Cliff

Yes. I've used both. I always found that the Ball brand clumped up in the jar too fast between uses. The Mrs Wages in the envelopes stops this from happening because you use the entire kit at once. And. Yes, still use the pickle crisp. 1/4 tsp per quart.

 

[Steve H]

Oh, the Med spicy one is pretty darn good!

 

[clifish]

Oh, the Med spicy one is pretty darn good!

might have to find it. thx

 

[Gonna Smoke]

It's been awhile, but I have used their dill pickle mix and their salsa mix. Both were good, no complaints...

 

[pineywoods]

We've used the dill pickle mix and it was good. We normally bought the Ball Mix but they would be out of it often

 

[chopsaw]

dill pickle mix and their salsa mix.

Never used the Dill mix , but agree with Charles , and was going to suggest grabbing the salsa mix if you see it . Uses a can of diced or crushed tomatoes I think . Makes it easy , and it's good in my opinion .

 

[Winterrider]

Have used both the pickle and the salsa mix, very good IMO.

 

[okie sawbones]

We have used Mrs. Wages dill pickle mix and Kosher dill pickle mix with great results.

 

[clifish]

Has anyone pickled the English cucumber? How was the taste and texture?

 

[Steve H]

Has anyone pickled the English cucumber? How was the taste and texture?

Meh, they're ok. Taste wasn't bad. Ok in a pinch. Texture was a bit different. Denser and with the small seeds. It just wasn't the same. I prefer salad, pickling or regular cukes.

 

[Steve H]

With regular cukes. Get the smallest you can find.

 

[hoity toit]

I have been using the Ball mix but it has been discontinued. How was the Mrs. Wages if you used it. Did it need pickle crisp added to it? I know I can probably get a recipe and do it from scratch, but why reinvent the wheel.

Any recommendations of other products or what you like to do would also be appreciated.

thx Cliff

Alum perhaps, I have had success with it.

 

[clifish]

With regular cukes. Get the smallest you can find.

yeah I usually get the kirby cucs but not sure I can find them this late.

 

[pineywoods]

Has anyone pickled the English cucumber? How was the taste and texture?

We have used them and I have the same opinion as Steve and I wouldn't use them again if I had other choices. We grow our cukes when we do pickles and there are quite a few "Pickling" type seeds available. You might even find the pickling type at a farmers market or local farm

 

[Steve H]

Alum perhaps, I have had success with it.

I used to use alum. But after reading up on it. I switched to calcium chloride. Which is what pickle crisp has in it.

Calcium Chloride (Pickling Lime): This is commonly used to maintain the crunchiness of pickles. It works by increasing the calcium content of the cucumbers, which strengthens the cell walls and inhibits softening. It is widely available and often used in commercial pickling mixes.


Alum (Potassium Aluminum Sulfate): Traditionally used in pickling, alum provides a firm texture but can be toxic in high doses. It is not strictly necessary for pickling and is being phased out due to potential health risks.


In summary, calcium chloride is generally preferred for its effectiveness in maintaining crispness without the risks associated with alum.