Jam - waxed circles??

clutterydrawer · 31 July 2009 at 10:09PM

I want to make some jam and when i looked up jam making in my recipe book it said I have to cover the surface with a waxed circle before I lid it :-/

Is this necessary and where would I find such an item

i was intending on just putting a lid on and having done with it

iceicebaby · 31 July 2009 at 10:12PM

My mum uses greaseproof paper cut into the required sized circle

thriftlady_2 · 31 July 2009 at 10:25PM

Any decent kitchen shop will stock them. I'm not convinced they're strictly necessary ever since Penelope Penguin told me I'd been putting them on upside down:D

emmwri · 31 July 2009 at 10:47PM

Is the paper that wraps butter not greaseproof paper? Could you use that as an alternative?

Debt_Free_Chick · 31 July 2009 at 10:50PM

It's just an extra seal (in addition to the lid) intended to help keep out the spores that can cause mould. Ideally, you put the disc on (waxed side down, Thriftlady!

) when the jam is still warm. The wax then melts slightly forming a wax skin on the top, which hardens when the jam is cool.

Not absolutely necessary, I guess - but for some reason, I've always used them.

You can get them in many larger supermarkets, often packaged with cellophane lids and elastic bands - but you may need to ask as different stores place them in different places!

rosalie-lavender · 1 August 2009 at 5:41AM

If anyone wants to buy just the waxed circles without the cellophane, bands etc Lakeland sell packs of them in 1 lb size and 2lb size.

torbrex · 1 August 2009 at 6:05AM

I have been making jam for more years than I care to think about and never user waxed circles, my mother did but that was only in jars that had no lids.

I warm the jars in the oven before potting and the lids 'pop' down when the jam has cooled proving an airtight seal.

Valli · 1 August 2009 at 7:24AM

I have to agree with Torbrex. I too have been 'jamming' for a long time and I have never used them. I re-use old jam jars (which people save for me in the knowledge that they will get one back refilled). I wash them out really well and warm both jars and lids in the oven. The lids 'pop' as the jam cools so I know then that it's airtight. I have kept jam safely for up to two years. I couldn't tell you how long marmalade keeps cos my mum and dad ate it (except for the one jar I am saving for their xmas gift - I'll let you know if it kept!)
In the old days (I am talking when I was a kid) jam jars didn't have screw thread lids so no doubt the wax and cellophane was needed then.

clutterydrawer · 1 August 2009 at 9:54AM

Excellent info, thanks all. I will be reusing old jam jars with screw thread lids so hopefully all will be well.

Mrs_Flittersnoop · 1 August 2009 at 10:24AM

I cut circles from the inside bags of cornflake packets as I am a new and terrified jam maker and didn't want to do it 'wrong'. Seems to work OK and is a good use for the insides.

HTH
Mrs F x

THIRZAH · 1 August 2009 at 10:38AM

I find that jam does seem to keep better if I use the waxed circles and cellophane. My local newsagent sells them-I sometimes have to ask for them as he only puts them out in the summer.

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Jam - waxed circles??

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