[maxk42]

You could also look at it this way: This technology is thousands of years old and predates refrigeration and most basic sanitation. It's that easy.

[zandl]

The pH test reads 6 however, which is out of the safe range afaik.

[mrcms]

It does not. I the camera distorts the colors a bit, but when I made the reading, I had it at somewhere between 3-4. This was also confirmed by simply tasting the brine. It is very acidic.

[cr1895]

If you look at the color of the top block, it's matching somewhere between 3 and 4. Botulism is avoided if the pH is under 4.6.

The test strip is sitting on 6 but it would have to be darker to have that high a pH.

[mrcms]

This is the correct reading. I had it at 3-4 as well. The camera also saturates the colors a bit.