LG Kimchi Refrigerator - Kimchi Ripened too Quickly and Tastes Sour

Did you store kimchi in the kimchi refrigerator but it ripened too quickly? Does your kimchi taste sour because it over fermented?

Causes and Symptoms

• The storage temperature inside the Kimchi refrigerator was not suitable for the type of kimchi.
• Instead of storage mode, fermentation mode was used.
• Kimchi was prepared with too little salt.
• The surface of the kimchi was exposed to air.

After making kimchi, lactic acid bacteria causes fermentation, making kimchi “ripe”.
Lactic acid bacteria makes the kimchi taste fresh and prevents the growth of spoilage causing bacteria.
If you set the kimchi refrigerator to “fermentation” instead of “storage”, the kimchi may ripen more quickly due to the air being less cold.
Also, if the kimchi was prepared with less salt, or if it was in contact with outside air, it may ripen too quickly or go sour.

Try this

Is the kimchi refrigerator set to an appropriate temperature?

➔ Check if the temperature setting is suitable for the type and salt concentration of kimchi.

To store freshly made Kimchi, select the [Kimchi] mode.
If kimchi ripened too quickly or soured using [Kimchi] mode, then switch the storage temperature from [Medium] to [High] cooling or from [Low] to [Medium] cooling so that the air is colder.
For kimchi that is not as salty, such as water kimchi or radish kimchi, set the cooling to [L]. For kimchi of medium saltiness, such as cabbage kimchi or mustard kimchi, set the cooling to [M]. For very salty kimchi, such as over fermented kimchi, set the cooling to [H].

Adjusting the settings of a stand type kimchi refrigerator

1. First, long press the [Lock] button on the control panel for about 3 seconds to unlock.

2. Select the desired compartment from [Left], [Right], [Middle] and [Bottom]. Then, repeatedly press the same compartment button until the setting you wish to choose lights up.
For instance, if you press the [Bottom] compartment button, it will toggle in the order of [Kimchi(M→ H→ L)]→[Produce(M→ H→ L)]→[Rice/ Grain]→[Storage]→[Fast Chill]→[Off].

3. Finally, on the control panel, press the [Lock] button once more to operate the mode you have chosen.
Even if you do not press the [Lock] button, the mode you chose will be automatically operated after 60 seconds.

4. The location of the temperature control button may vary by product model.
Please refer to the user manual of your product for more information.

Are you using fermentation mode instead of a storage mode?

➔ To store ripened kimchi, use one of the storage modes, namely [Kimchi] or long term [Storage].

Storage modes operate at a lower set temperature than fermentation modes to slow down the ripening process of kimchi.

Move left or right to check the contents.

Store your kimchi in the LG Electronics kimchi containers that were supplied with your kimchi fridge.
If you use other containers to store kimchi, the kimchi might freeze due to poor circulation of cold air.

※ Temperature settings may vary by model.

Is there high enzymatic activity due to low salt concentrations?

➔ Prepare your kimchi a little saltier.

As soon as the kimchi is seasoned with salt, the fermentation process begins, and it starts to slowly ripen.
If the kimchi is to be consumed soon, it is ok to not salt it as much, but if you wish to store it for a long time, it is better to make it salty.
Even if the storage temperature is the same, the lower salt content makes it easy for kimchi to freeze, and as a result kimchi could go sour or soft.
In addition, use seasoning, sugar and MSG as little as possible since they make kimchi soft.

Is the surface of kimchi exposed to air?

➔ When storing kimchi, make sure it is completely submerged in its juice to prevent exposure to outside air.

To prevent kimchi from being severely fermented, cover the surface with a plastic deli sheet. In addition, firmly press the kimchi down or use a pressing stone to submerge the kimchi in its juice.

This guide was created for all models, so the images or content may be different from your product.