I did something very wrong (very, very wrong).  I followed the instructions faithfully (potatoes, water, salt) but when I opened my jar today (the fourth day) I unleashed a smell like no other.  Since I didn’t know what to expect, I dug down and popped a potato cube in my mouth.  That was at least my second mistake.  Because no guts no glory, I rinsed them off in a strainer and tried a second one.  Finally I admitted defeat and tossed the batch.  The taste has left my mouth but I’m not sure if the smell will ever leave my kitchen.

The cubes were a bit mushy and the peel had come loose.  What I need to know is what to expect with a properly fermented batch.  Is odor normal?  Are they supposed to be soft?

I use an Easy-Fermenter lid because I really need idiot-proof.  I used Himalayan salt and filtered water.

Can someone enlighten me?