Kimchi-Specific Design for Food Storage Container Allows for Manual Off-Gassing

In Korea, there's a market for food storage containers specifically for those making kimchi. As kimchi ferments within its brine, CO2 is produced, and this needs to be periodically released from the container; if it isn't, pressure builds and the container can literally explode, creating a terrible mess in your 'fridge. For that reason, kimchi containers have a valve in the lid. The problem is that if you've got multiple stacked containers, you can't access the lid. Thus this Flock design, by Korean industrial designer Seungmin Cho : Flock features a sloped base that positions the valve in an accessible corner, even in layered storage. The same incline collects kimchi brine to one side, allowing clean, tool-free pouring. Made with a translucent glass body and a soft-touch matte polypropylene lid, Flock enhances visibility, hygiene, and comfort. It is designed for compact kitchens, where real storage behavior often involves vertical stacking. Cho, who has worked as a designer for both Samsung and LG, has formed his own company to commercialize the product.