Quick chutney questions

Chloris

You can post a request for jars on freecycle, or it might be worth buying some small jars if its for gifts as your preserve will go further. I've never bought any so can't advise. I always use lids which are plastic coated so no worries about vinegar causing rust.

Your recipes should give an indication of the shelf life of the preserve. Roughly jar lasts 1 year and chutney 2.

I sterilize my jars and lids together in the oven, gas 1 10+mins. Sterilizing is very personal:rotfl:. Some people take it very seriously. My mother doesn't bother :rotfl:.

mi_jardin

freecycle is the cheapest option, if not, ask people at work?

nykied

I'd second Chloris. Post on your local Freecycle/Freegle and keep and eye out for people offering them.

I also got some from Lakeland, about £7 maybe for a box of 12 and I also bought lids, so they look pretty. For my non-matching lids, I just bought some gingham material from ebay (search on 'FQ' and have a look through) and cut circles out of the gingham, then stuck elastic bands over them. You could use string though, that would look nice.

ginvzt

I bought some from Lakeland before - not the cheapest option by far... Also, because if you go there you end up buying more than intended!!!! (Well, I do...)

blondieliz

Oooh, thank you all so much!

I am getting very excited now for my project and hope to start my making next week.

Fingers crossed I don't end up with a moulten mess.

This is a reeeealllly silly question i'm sure, but if I manage to get some freecycled jars, how do I know what to use them for if I shouldn't mix the jam/chutney?

Fruball

I made some a couple of weeks ago. It was my first attempt and I really enjoyed it

The kids love the resulting crabapple jelly (which to be fair is a lot more jammy than jelly but we don't care) and rave about it - I think they are very proud that I made it 'all by myself'

I treated myself to the jars from lakeland... pricey but they do look oh so pretty I have decided to use lakeland jars for gifts, and recycled jars for us from now on to keep the price down. And I will beg for the jars back from those who have them as gifts for their next gifts

RAS

You can get jars from freecycle, but it is worth getting new lids (Lakeland) for gifts. For stuff at home, boil old intact lids for a while to sterilise.

katholicos

Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy!

Secondly, I re-use glass jars and have even purchased cheap beetroot (approx 20p per jar) etc and decanted the contents (not throwing it away of course!) and then washed the jar and lid thoroughly and then use for my own jam and chutney making.

sazzy6

Also keep in mind that making jams and chutneys aren't that cheap to make unless you've been freezing gluts over the summer/autumn. What were you planning on making?

zippychick

Hi

You've come to the right place

where to find glass jars? should help with the jars ort freecycle as mentioned. I get friends and family to keep them for me

Regards how long it keeps, it should keep for at least a couple of years if you follow the recipe. I have a jar of 07 chutney in my fridge which is still being used

I'll merge this with quick chutney questions
later for you.

thanks
Zip