preserving jars

[dexterdoglancashire]

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

[JazzDuke]

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.

[moggssue]

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.

[Alison]

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!)

[Flummery]

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!

[JazzDuke]

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.

[Floss]

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!

[Flummery]

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.

[Two_Sheds]

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.

[Flummery]

Posh or what!

[pigletwillie]

I always but from the same place (Freeman and Harding the jar people) but do re-use them from then on. The only advantage in my defence is that they all stack together well as they are the same size.

[Headfry]

I have bought a box of new honey jars for my jams and chutneys. They all look the same :-) very neat.
I would like (I think) to enter a jar in village show. On the subject of wax discs.... must i use them for showing?
The honey jars work well for me, I use plastic lids, when I put the lids on the hot jam, it seems to for a vacuum that helps seal the jars, is this ok though?
What do the judges look for in jams and chutneys....?
Help greatly needed, very nervous of entering a show.....gulp!

[Alexx]

What a disaster I've had today with my jam jars!

Instead of recycling superstore jam jars I decided to go posh and bought two dozen proper jam jars from IKEA, the ones with a glass lid and metal wire lid holder.

Yes, they are all standard size and look so much better than recycled ones. My missus wasn't amused by the money I spent on them but - hey, lets do the things properly! This morning I went with the boys to PYO fruit farm and we got some gorgeous raspberries, black currants and gooseberries. I even bought pectin to make sure the jam sets. So all was ready for the big day...

The only thing I did wrong - I assumed the jars were airtight

My jam was starting to boil and I was just finishing to wash the jars when I decided to check... OMG - they leaked. Not much but noticeable.

The jam was boiling by then and it was too late to try to find wax disks. Oh and I got rid of most of superstore jars as well...

As I had no other options I just bottled the jam in IKEA jars ayway hoping that if i press the lid down hard enough the lid migh stay in place when the jam cools down.

They look ok at the moment but i'm scared to tip one and see what happens.

What do you think I should do? Re-boil and re-bottle the jam? Or refrigirate the jars (I'll need another fridge though). Or just wait and see what different kinds of mold grow on the jam?

[Headfry]

They might be ok, once opened I would keep in the fridge.
Was the jar and jam hot when you put it into the jars? if so it might form an 'airlock' and help preserve the jam.
or
Buy lots of bread and butter........toast and jam....yummy!

[Alexx]

Thanks Headfry, they do look alright actually. Once the jars have cooled down i tried tipping them and they all look airtight now, i think the lids are in place properly after all

Apart from that, the kids have opened three jars already (one of each variety of jam) while I was having an afternoon nap , and it does taste good