Jams & Chutneys

Minxz

Hi all, I've never been to this forum before, so i hope I'm not repeating an old question!

We have ever decreasing funds, so have been thinking about making jams & chutneys for christmas presents, I like the idea of making them too.. as i love chutney!
i have found some recipe websites, but I have no idea where to get the jars and lids from? I would happily re use old pasta sauce etc jars for us, but for gifts i'd rather use prettier jars, or even ones without logos on the lids??
Does anyone know of a cheap place to buy these?

How long does it keep.. can i start making them now with windfall apples etc?

Also, with regards to jam ( can you tell i'm a novice!), what equipment do i really need, as some sites stare all sorts of things, and i imagine half of it isn't necessary.

Many thanks, and any advice, pointers or web links greatly appreciated!

Pink.

Hi Minxz,

Welcome to Old Style :hello:

The most moneysaving way to get jars is to ask family and friends to keep theirs for you or ask on your local freecycle. If you want to buy new I know that Lakeland used to sell them. This thread may give you more ideas:

Where to find glass jars?

You can start making jam any time you want with whatever you have to hand. I'm making apple jelly at the moment from crab apples. The jams will keep for ages as they contain so much sugar that acts as a preservative. I still have some jars on the go that I made two years ago.

The equipment that I have are a preserving pan (although any heavy based pan will do - sometimes for smaller amounts I use my pressure cooker without the lid), scales, jars and lids, labels, a saucer to check if the jam has set and an oven to sterilise the jars. Some people use a jam thermometer but I've never found it necessary to buy one.

You'll find lots of links with advice that should help you to get started on this thread:

The Complete Jam, Chutney and other Preserves collection

Pink

GettingHitched

Hello

we are doing the same thing this year ( jams, chutneys, homebrew :beer:) we had the same dilema about what to do about jars....i thought about buying them ( have you seen the prices! ) so instead (not very :money:) is buying SP/Value/Basics Mint sauce (15p a jar) 15-20 at a time, and using those instead

CCP

Hello Minxz

I'm having my first attempt at jam / chutney making this year, too, and have been doing some investigations into glass jars, so I can tell you that Lakeland do still sell them, but they're pretty pricy - about £10 for 6 (plus lids etc) in their shop in Chichester.

Do you have any independent hardware-type shops near you? They can be quite good for this sort of thing, and generally quite reasonably priced. (I'm going to get some over the weekend and will spend bank holiday Monday jam-making - wish me luck!)

CCP

Gigervamp

The Jamjar shop sell different types of jars and lids. Their prices don't seem too bad and you can even get lids like the Bonne Maman ones.

With regards to equipment, I use a large stock pot and a wooden spoon with a long handle. I managed to pick up a jam funnel from a car boot fair and find that makes filling the jars a lot easier and less messy! So it's worth getting one if you can.

CCP

Thanks, Gingervamp - I'll bear this company in mind if my first attempt is a success (I'm only going to make a couple of jars until I know if it works!).

Thanks also for the tip on the funnel - I'll try and get one before the weekend - I'm not the tidiest cook at the best of times and the thought of pouring hot jam everywhere is a bit :eek:!

Minxz

Some fab suggestions and tips here, thank you!
The idea of buying value products in jars is a good one if i can't find free/cheap jars
I'm off to look at lakeland online now.. but will probably keep my purse shut!!
there was a jam preserving pan going on my local freecycle today, so i emailed straight away, but it looks like someone else got it.. shame!