Getting ready to make home-made jam and chutney - please help!

LizD_2

they'd fall into the jam if they were smaller! :rotfl:

Not made jam before, but believe you're right about the hygiene aspect.

scuzz

We use any jars, from sweet and sour sauce to old Kenco jars.

As long as they're washed properly, then they should be fine. We collect them up, and I've just found out my local pick your own place collects them for whoever wants them, providing you give a small donation to a charity tin

We just use cling film to put over the tops of the jars before putting the lids on and it works fine

**purpleprincess**

scuzz wrote:

We use any jars, from sweet and sour sauce to old Kenco jars.

As long as they're washed properly, then they should be fine. We collect them up, and I've just found out my local pick your own place collects them for whoever wants them, providing you give a small donation to a charity tin

We just use cling film to put over the tops of the jars before putting the lids on and it works fine

Cool!! What a great idea! I'm going to be making my own jam soon so will get on with collecting the jars!! Good to know that about the local PYO, is that on the way to Hailsham that one???

annie-c

LizD wrote:

they'd fall into the jam if they were smaller! :rotfl:

Not made jam before, but believe you're right about the hygiene aspect.

Sorry - am showing true ignorance now ... do the circles not sit on top of the jam then? I thought they did- not in it, but on it? And with no gap to stop air getting in? I really don't have a clue! :rotfl:

LizD_2

as far as I understand, you fill the jam to the top, leaving no gap and then place the wax disc to form a seal. I imagine as the jam cools, it contracts slightly and forms an airtight seal.

Could be a case of the blind leading the visually impaired here, as an armchair jam maker! :rotfl:

Noozan

annie-c wrote:

99p is excellent! Which section of the shop are they found in?

And am I right in thinking the circles have to be exactly the same size or slightly bigger than the top of the jar, for hygeine reasons?

Thanks again!

There's no real order in our store :rotfl: they're just in the houseware type side of the shop.

I try to use circles slightly bigger than the top of the jar or if I don't have enough, then I use two and make them overlap one another.

You really need to cover the whole surface of the jam with the disk as the wax melts and forms a seal over the surface to inhibit mould growth.

nyvlem_2

I read somewhere that jam & pickle jars should not be reused for home jam making as they are not able to withstand the heat of sterilising. Is this actually the case or just put about by the makers of jars that are sold especially for home jam making. Obviously being able to re-use old jam jars makes the start-up cost much less for would be home preservers.

themarsbargirl

You can re-use jars no problem. I've not had any problems with sterilising them.

nyvlem_2

Thanks for that, but don't eat too many mars bars !!!

Farway

nyvlem wrote: »

I read somewhere that jam & pickle jars should not be reused for home jam making as they are not able to withstand the heat of sterilising. Is this actually the case or just put about by the makers of jars that are sold especially for home jam making. Obviously being able to re-use old jam jars makes the start-up cost much less for would be home preservers.

No, just rubbish, if you have a dishwasher use it to wash the jars.
Then in a very low oven to heat the jars prior to use

I have been doing this for years, still here