The purpose is to draw extra water out of the cucumbers so they are crispier pickles. You can skip it if you wish but they will be much softer pickles.

I find that salted in iced water works best. Some just salt and let them sit, others add the salt and cover with ice, some use only the ice. But the salt is needed for best crisping results.

Be sure to drain and rinse them well several times to remove most of the salt.

Dave

Additionally, you have more cucumber liquid leaching into the brine and weakening it.

Carol

Do we need to salt if using zukes instead of cukes? I've been doing it, but then I started wondering :).

(I mean this as a general question about unfermented pickles, not just B&B.)

Need? No it is always optional with any pickle depending on the results you prefer. Can you? Yes. Should you? Yes IMO. have done them both ways and adding the salt in ice water soak makes a very noticeable difference IME.

Dave

Thanks, Dave! I will be doing them in a few hours, so I very much appreciate your speedy reply!

Thanks everyone!! Getting ready to salt now! ;-)

Any tips on a recipe for refrigerator b&b pickles? I've never made them before. thankyou