Pickling Jars

Agapanthus

Mamae wrote: »

I am new to this pickling lark! but did read that chutneys should not be put in jars with metal lids as the vinegar reacts to it. Do you have to invest in proper pickling jars for chutneys?

It's the same problem with chutney and pickles -they contain acid, which will eat through metal. If you look at a jar of commercial pickle or chutney, you will often find that it has a metal lid that is lined inside with plastic. So do a lot of other thigs - tomato pasta sauce for instance, because that's a bit acid too. Over time the plastic may become damaged and the top will start to rust, but if it's sound then you can reuse it.

If your jar has a plain metal lid with no plastic covering then you will need to keep the contents away from the metal - cling film under the lid's a good method.

The trouble with coffee jars with plastic lids is that they often don't give an airtight seal - which becomes a nasty problem when you knock them over! Specially with pickled onions. Been there, done that...

blushingbride_3

Hi everyone

I have the glass jars from asda & ikea with the seal & clip can I use these?I brought them for storing dried foods but am currently boiling some beatroot

Do I need to sterilise the seals?

emiff6

When I did a lot of pickling (esp. onions...yum...) I used to beg the empty big pickled egg jars from my local fish and chip shop, who were always glad to get rid of them. It's been quite a while though, and I don't even know if fish 'n chip shops still sell pickled eggs, but maybe worth a try? :think:

seraphina

I use the big jars that pickling vinegar comes in, or the small glass ones I get tomato pasta sauce in for smaller amounts. I figure if the lid can cope with 2.5 litres of pickling vinegar, it can cope with 2.5 litres of pickling vinegar with some beetroot thrown in...