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When my veg start to grow I would like to preserve some of it.

Can I recycle jars brought with jams etc?

I make jams, jellies, pickles, chutneys etc and all with recycled jars. Make sure the lids are sound and if you are making anything with vinegar in it, check that the lids have that sort of waterproof coating inside, rather than cardboard.

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vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated Aug 27th 2008

You surely can. Just make sure they're clean and the lids fit properly. Jam, pickle, and cooking sauce jars are excellent.

Lakeland sell replacement lids that i've found fit most jars - i managed to recycle loads of jars last year. I'm not too keen on re-using lids as the rubber seal won't be so good second time round (they also tend to be dolmio jars i re-use and the lids have got a red stain on them!!)

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thanks

I was hoping I could as I started to collect jars about oct last year, and have quite a few.

I have mainly collected marmalaide jars hoping to store sun dried toms in and passata jars which I use a lot of so was hoping to make my own and accordingly am going a massive amount of toms.

never done this before, but hey will give anything a go.

any advice you have would be much appriecated.

I quite happily use old jars and their lids without any problems although I do always use the wax discs on top as well as the plastic circles on top of the jars and let the jam cool before I put the lids back on. Don't know if that's what I'm supposed to do but it's what my mum did and it seems to work for me.

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Where do you get waxed discs from?

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Lakeland sell tham amongst others.

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updated at last - Saturday 9th at 2040hrs

what about Douweegberts coffee jars what could we put in them

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Dobby

My dad used to use them for jam and marmalade Dobby. I found I could never make them stay shut properly.

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It takes more oil than vinegar to make a good salad dressing.

vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated Aug 27th 2008

in your shed , staple or tack the lids to the underside of a shelf, fill jar with nails, plant lables, whatever and twist the jars up on to the lids. instant storage that doesnt take up exta space

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Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull

Recycle jars but never recycle lids, always use new,

I couldn't make these work for jams either, the lids kept coming loose. But, they make attractive jars for dried beans and such.

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I have read that you do not need wax discs when using lids, also on the village a program on Sunday this was confirmed by the women's institute judges, they said," that it encouraged mold growth". I for one do not use the discs unless making jam with the cellophane discs.

Good Luck

Swampie Sue

Go down the bottle bank and make a withdrawl.

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Cheapest way - ask friends and family to save all their jars - I don't need to buy any anymore! and of course, its free! mind you, I do give pressies of the chutneys I've made to the peeps I've got the jars from. Bernie

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Sue, you are correct, discs are not required. Country Markets (formerly WI Markets) ensure all their producers get a Food Safety certificate (aka Licence to Kill). All their recommendations are sound 'belt and braces' ones.

I never use wax discs when making chutney or sauce - tho I've not made jam so can't say if you need discs then. All sorts of jars will do in my experience, as long as the lid fits tightly and you fill the jar well.

That's news to me, have always used them, following on from my nan and mum and it's always worked fine with me quite happily storing jams for over a year. May try half and half this year as an experiment - always willing to try something different (although I probably shouldn't word it like that with the likes of Nick et al about!)

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Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

You shouldn't need them with chutney - the vinegar will preserve it from mould, but I always use them for jam. Disappointing to open a jar and find it's got a hairy top!

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It takes more oil than vinegar to make a good salad dressing.

vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated Aug 27th 2008

Your jam will not get a hairy top if you do it properly. Sterilise jar, use new lid and all other proper procedure (available in many books and websites). Wax discs are unnecessary. They do stop a crust forming on the top possibly, on the other hand you are introducing a non-sterile item into the jar.

If you want to sell your produce e.g. via a WI, Farmers Mkt or local fayre, I understand you should a) only use new lids b) try and use very standard jars - I think the WI members use only classic jam jars and c) you may be required to have your kitchen inspected by the local Env Health officers.

Also, I have been told that rather than put the date of making on the jar, it is best to put a use by date of circa 3 years from the date of making (though if you're using a low sugar recipe I guess it will need refrigeration).
And, of course, list all the ingredients.

I don't make jams and chutneys for sale so I just use standard jam pot wax circles and cellophane covers with rubber bands and for chutneys reuse jars and lids that have previously had chutney, ready made sauces, mayonnaise, for example. The jam pot covers are sold universally, my corner Spar shop sells them, so no need to go to Lakeland if there isn't one near you.

I've never had jam go mouldy or crusty and I've made jam off and on for 30 years.

Enjoy the fruits of your labours!

Just opened a jar of chutney I made in 1998! (It got lost at the back of the cupboard - you can see how often I clear out my cupboards!) It was gorgeous - a little darker in colour then when new but a really mellow flavour.

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It takes more oil than vinegar to make a good salad dressing.

vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated Aug 27th 2008

My OH has started pickling his own veg (not mine, Tesco's) and I can't persuade him to recycle used jars...he's been down QD and bought some Kilner style ones for 99p each.

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