jars for jam

[what..the?]

I am new to jam making having made my first fridge batch but now want to jar and steam shut for upto 6 months shelf life but I have no jars at home,

a) for future reference can you reuse old/empty glass jam jars with metal lids and of course sterilise?

b) if you were to buy new on the high street (not online) who would supply them please?

Thanks from
Jammy What..the?

[NazNomad]

I know it's not an 'answer' as such ... but you can't mention jam-jars without this ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCklKO1_jPs

[woofgang]

Yes you can reuse jars you have but not the lids. Okra sell smart jars with rubber seals and lever action fasteners. Lakeland sell new lids for existing jars and all kinds of jam fan goodies or look on eBay

[what..the?]

so are any of these smart jars as good as the glass ones, does the jam last as long?

[what..the?]

watching it know naz lol..... lov it "jam jars you can't get enough of them, what a load of old shi..........

[welshlibranr]

I reuse jars and lids!...sterilised of course, I use a film lid between the jar and the lid!.........works fine!..................

[what..the?]

film lid.....eh... could would explain what film you use and how please? does the film not break when you screw the lid on?

[slinkycat]

Don't get why you can't use the lids woofgang? I've used all sorts of jars to put home made jam in with no problems.

[welshlibranr]

What the...I Just use cling film inside the lids!...............works fine!.........

[Clanad]

We "put up" a lot of preseres, jellies and jams here in the U.S. because of the plentiful ingredients.
The smaller 1/2 pint jar usually used for canning are quite inexpensive here. A Dozen new jars with lids and rings are about $13.00. All one has to do each succeding fall is buy a box of lids... usually about $1.50 for a dozen. There are larger 1 pint jars that we use a lot of especially when making preserves. They run about $14.00 the dozen and new lids about $3.00.
Seen here: http://www.mycosupply...add=action&key=CANN01

A water bath works better for sterilization than steam ... just a pot large enough to hold the jar covered about 1 inch deep in water, brought to a roiling boil for at least 15 minutes... remove jars with holder and allow to cool... you'll hear the distinctive "ping" as they cool signifying a good, sound seal. They'll last for at least 2 years and more if they are kept in a relatively cool dark place...

[slinkycat]

Clanad or Woofgang, could you please explain why you shouldn't re-use lids?
Sorry what..the, but I've only ever used recycled jars, including pesto jars, peanut butter jars, and even mustard jars.
The jam has always been fine and lasts much better than shop bought jam.

[Clanad]

The re-used lids will not vacuum seal... and this is what the "ping" is I related. Lots of people do make "refrigerator" jams and jellies,which do not need to be sterilized but also do not "keep" well and always have to be refrigerated whereas the vacuum sealed ones can be stored anywhere (cool is better though).

[Buenchico]

I'm smiling at all of the references to refrigeration and vacuum sealing on this thread. Some people seem to have forgotten that jams (etc) aren't called 'preserves' for nothing!

When I was a youngster my mother made lots of jam. She simply used any old jam jars (sterilised in boiling water) and placed a disk of greaseproof paper on top of the jam. Then a larger disk of greaseproof paper was fixed onto the top of the jar with a rubber band. The jar was then placed into the larder. (We didn't have a fridge until I was into my teens). The jams remained in good condition for many months (and sometimes even for a year or two).

So, in my opinion, it's a total waste of money to buy special jars or to bother with vacuum sealing. (Even now, when I buy jam from a shop, I'd never bother refrigerating it. It seems to last for several months after opening, just in the kitchen cupboard).

Chris

[slinkycat]

Thanks Chris! Was just posting an answer to Clanad when the screen "collapsed!" Anyway, I have always put my jam into various re-used jars, using the original lids, sterilised of course. Have never put it in the fridge, and as you say it lasts a year, sometimes two.
I also find that homemade jam doesn't go off as quickly as shop bought when you start using it, even if it gets contaminated with the butter knife!

[nannakath]

I always use glass jars from tomato puree, marmalade jars etc. Place in the oven on low heat when jam nearly ready. Use jam pot covers and use the lids after that.
Lakeland sell preserving jars as do a few other places. My jam keeps very well as long as you use the correct amount of sugar.

[what..the?]

man this is getting confusing.....lol,

well due to the quantity of raspberry's I have here about 2kg and the fact they need jamming before they 'go off' and they can't be frozen as were once already frozen and defrosted this is my need for quick solutions, I have made my first batch as same weight of sugar to fruit (waitrose recipe) they say it lasts in the fridge for 3 weeks and the fact that made 2 jars with 500g and I have 2 kg of raspberries left I am thinking I need long term solution, I don't know if I want to trust chris's option as everything and everything 'goes off' in my house so some protection the better if possible will be putting in dark cupboard room temperature, was going to sterilse and the boil seal, but have no jars at home, will have to buy, but there is still mixed views on reusing the lids, I personally can't see why not because the sealing and vacuum will depress the lid ready for the 'pop' of the seal when opened months down the line??

[slinkycat]

what..the, just go for it with whatever jars you can beg off friends if you have none yourself. In the meantime, save some ready for the next batch, jam making is addictive:-) trust me and Chris, you do not need specialist, expensive jars!

[what..the?]

thanks

[heathfield]

I'm lucky in that a local ironmonger stocks screw-on-lid jars for beekeepers. Some of my jam has been sitting on the shelf for 4 years now, and is still fine. If you can't find anything suitable, locate a beekeeper and ask where they get their jars from.

[what..the?]

thanks

[joko]

my uncle had a bit of deal going with a neighbour, that he would save all his shop bought jars for her and in return once a month, she gave him a jar of homemade jam
he woud only bin them any way so he was happy to fo it

why not ask around your neighbours, offer say a jar of jam for every say, 8-10 jars they give you perhaps?