Sterilising jars

[Bex]

Can this be done the same way as a babies bottle? Or am I over simplifying?


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[roitelet]

I put mine on a tray in the oven on a low heat, without the lids which I boil. That way you have warm jars for whatever is going in them. Let them cool a bit before filling them.

[Bex]

I put mine on a tray in the oven on a low heat, without the lids which I boil. That way you have warm jars for whatever is going in them. Let them cool a bit before filling them.

Thanks roitelet, so sounds like heat is the key. I'm hoping for a glut lol


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[scarey55]

I do mine the same way as Roitelet, just wash them and dry them in the oven at about 180�

[BertieFox]

It depends what you intend to bottle, but the worst scenario if you don't adequately sterilise your jars is botulism, a killer! For any purpose other than pickles and jams, I would recommend boiling your jars in a proper steriliser for as long as recommended; and then following the exact instructions for preserving. If you are bottling things like vegetables, this is absolutely essential.

[veggiechicken]

Same here (as Roitelet and Scarey)but I don't use a tray - just lay them on their sides on the oven shelves, open end facing the door. With an oven glove (old tea towel ) I can pull out a jar at a time by the neck.

Now that I've written all that down, it sounds like a lot of potch It'll be a tray next time

[scarey55]

It depends what you intend to bottle, but the worst scenario if you don't adequately sterilise your jars is botulism, a killer! For any purpose other than pickles and jams, I would recommend boiling your jars in a proper steriliser for as long as recommended; and then following the exact instructions for preserving. If you are bottling things like vegetables, this is absolutely essential.

Very good point Bertie, I was thinking jams and pickles but if you are doing vegetables and more importantly meat then I think it is a different matter.

[Bex]

It would just be jams and pickles for me, maybe a cordial or two


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[Hans Mum]

Same here (as Roitelet and Scarey)but I don't use a tray - just lay them on their sides on the oven shelves, open end facing the door. With an oven glove (old tea towel ) I can pull out a jar at a time by the neck.

Now that I've written all that down, it sounds like a lot of potch It'll be a tray next time

I take mine out with tongs so don't have to touch glass like to put stuff into hot jars......think you get a better seal

[binley100]

Boiling is all very well to sterilise jars but ...they need to be dry when they are filled as it's moisture that can cause nasties. So the oven is the best... I heat mine to 180deg and keep at that heat for ten mins then turn it down to keep warm otherwise they are too hot when filling which can also cause problems. ie.. filling bubbling up . I remove and fill one jar at a time so they stay hot and cover and seal immediately.
for cold filling eg some pickles,leave jars in oven to cool down completely so the air doesn't get in them ..

[Bal]

I used Milton sterilising tablets for elderflower cordial. I just rinsed them out with boiling water to get rid of the smell. It does seem to have worked. The cordial is still fine.