Following my first go at making chutney I have learnt...

1) I am very messy (not with normal cooking, just with this!)
2) I shouldn't try and multi-task when making chutney
3) I need more jars... LOTS more jars
4) I am a little paranoid about a form cooking that involves sterilising things

Second attempt booked in for Saturday...

Glad I am not the only one paranoid about sterilising stuff

I think the panic really set in after reading on good old tinternet about only using steralised metal utensils... after having followed the recipe that said to use a wooden spoon!

I think reading through some of the threads on the vine has helped quell the panic though... most peeps seem to use old jars etc. and have a more relaxed attitude to it all and seem to live to post about the tale!

Hey ho... only time will tell!

We 'sterilise' old jam jars in the oven (about 140C is it? Not too hot or you'll have an oven full of glass!), sterilise the lids by putting them in a bowl and pouring boiling water over them - pick them out carefully! Fill the jars nearly to the top and put the lids on when still hot (not immediately though).

Never had any problems (well oddly only a couple of times when we put waxed discs on some - a couple went mouldy! ).

I have to put aside a morning/afternoon for chutneys and jams - if you have the time it's a lovely, relaxing activity.
I bought some pretty jars last years for nice christmas pressies (a box of about 70!), they look so nice all lined up, makes me feel like a proper old fashioned mum!
I put the jars and lids in the oven, bit less than 140c as I'd be scared they'd explode!

Originally Posted by smallblueplanet

We 'sterilise' old jam jars in the oven (about 140C is it? Not too hot or you'll have an oven full of glass!), sterilise the lids by putting them in a bowl and pouring boiling water over them

I sterilised the jars in the oven too. I popped them in the oven while it was cold then set the temperature to 160C (not a fan oven) and then turned the oven on. When the oven got up to temperature I turned the oven off and left the door closed while I finished making the chutney.

I put the lids in a pan of hot water and boiled them for 5 minutes but then fretted about getting them out without 'contaminating' them! Ended up boiling up a couple of spoons too... then fretting abou getting them out without contaminating them!

I realised halfway through making the chutney that the recipe I was following (printed from a blog) had replaced any fractions with a little question mark so I had no idea, for example, if the slices of cuke should by 1/2" or 1/8" and didn't know how big a gap to leave at the top of the jar...

... they ended up varying quite a bit anyway!!!

I also realised I should probably invest in a funnel to try and avoid getiing a fair bit of chutney on the worktops...



... and floor...



... and me!



Popped into a cookware shop this afternoon and they were out of jam making funnels and din't have any stainless steel tongs suitable for handling hot jars etc. The lady who owned the shop said she'd been sterilising all her old jars, spoons, funnels etc. in the dishwasher for years and had never had any problems. Just leaves the door closed until she needs them... I am therefore re-considering the need to lay out more cash on expensive equipment...

Originally Posted by vicky

I bought some pretty jars last years for nice christmas pressies (a box of about 70!), they look so nice all lined up

... jars though... whole different story! I've seen sooooo many pretty little jars that I'd love to fill as Christmas pressies. It may have to be recycled one's this year though while I'm still experimenting!

I like to get all the ingredients into a bow before I start.

Microwave the glass jars for 2-3 mins. Lids in a bowl of boiling water then fished out after about a minute then put on a rack to dry before I put the lids on.

Originally Posted by vikkib

...Ended up boiling up a couple of spoons too... then fretting abou getting them out without contaminating them!

Lol! You've got high standards! I just scraped the mould off the jam that went funny under the paper discs - perhaps I shouldn't have?!

Originally Posted by vikkib

Popped into a cookware shop this afternoon and they were out of jam making funnels and din't have any stainless steel tongs suitable for handling hot jars etc.

Try ebay/amazon? Got our funnel cheap off amazon but they're all pricey on there now - supply & demand no doubt!

Here's a funnel on ebay...

Tala Jam Funnel Aluminium Preserves Fruit Pouring Jars on eBay (end time 13-Oct-09 18:36:38 BST)

I don't use a funnel ... just a teaspoon, while holding hot jar with a cloth

Originally Posted by smallblueplanet

Lol! You've got high standards! I just scraped the mould off the jam that went funny under the paper discs - perhaps I shouldn't have?!

Hehehe! It's the weirdest thing because I regularly ignore use by dates in preference of the 'give it a sniff and a prod' test and frequently scrape/cut of mouldy bits of other food. I guess it's just when it's something I'm making I go a bit mental!

Originally Posted by smallblueplanet

Here's a funnel on ebay...

Tala Jam Funnel Aluminium Preserves Fruit Pouring Jars on eBay (end time 13-Oct-09 18:36:38 BST)

Ooooh - fab - thanky!

Originally Posted by Two_Sheds

I don't use a funnel ... just a teaspoon, while holding hot jar with a cloth

I'm definitely up for the cloth idea but knowing my clumsiness levels I'm going for the funnel... MUCH bigger area to aim for!

having a go today at chutney, just waiting for the asda man in his deloivery man as i forgot some ingredients.
Wasnt flapping about steralising but am now...........
Think i will wing it and see how it goes.