Cheap jars

newlywed

Someone was offering jam jars on our freecycle group some months ago now. Could try a wanted for that?

BerkshireBird

I got a huge box of Bon Maman jars last week from free cycle. We'd never buy that brand, too expensive but they are so pretty. DH makes great jam nand now it looks great too.

powie69

I work in an office, so I asked if anyone in there had any spare jars. I now have a stack of 12 so far, under my desk.

Tracey04

if I use an empty jar with a metal lid ie mayo. Do I need a waxed circle over the top of the jam. How long does hm jam last?

traciekan

last time i needed some i put a box with a sign on by the glass recylcing in the syupermarket saying i need jars for jam making can i have yours! and picked it up full at tea time. you dont need the lids cos yu use wax discs

odds-n-sods

# 18 - yes. As the mayo lid isn't air-proof, the jam would go mouldy. Properly sealed, either with wax, rubber ring (like a kilner jar) or a mason jar that has a rubber ring built-in, jam should last years if kept in a cool place, like a cellar. Most people don't have a cool enough place in their house, so I would say 1 year.

You can also keep jam in your freezer if you have enough room!

Seakay

Tracey04 wrote: »

if I use an empty jar with a metal lid ie mayo. Do I need a waxed circle over the top of the jam. How long does hm jam last?

Waxed circle is a good idea with jam, or cut circles out of greaseproof paper and dip them in alcohol (a teaspoonful does loads).

Where you have to watch it is with pickles/chutnies - never use a bare metal lid as it will rust. Even coated lids will have rust bubbling through eventually, but you can usually reuse them once. Old books suggest a material called "porosan" which I have never used - it is an alternative to a lid for using things with vinegar as an ingredient.

Forgot to say - storage depends on type of fruit and therefore cooking time etc. Marmalade, damson, plum, can easily last for several years. My 5 minute raspberry can last a year - better 6 months - but there may be a little mould over the paper (another good reason for using it - lift off and scrape and discard top couple of mm of jam- clean the glass on the inside of the jar to remove all traces. The only reason to chuck is if it has started to ferment.)

Primrose

The best jars you can scrounge are those which have previously been used for jam, marmalade or pickle and have metal lids. So ask friends, family, neighbours or work colleages to save these for you. I just wash them in warm soapy water, rinse and put them in a warm oven for 10 minutes to sterilise them. Have never had a mouldy jam or marmalade in 30 years using this method. If you're really desperate, you can buy jars with metal lids from Lakeland online. If the blackberries are very ripe, add some extra lemon juice in your recipe to ensure the jam sets.

Actiongirl_2

lynzpower wrote: »

Hi all OSers.

Now im hoping you can help me.

Close by where I live, there are a squillion blackberry bushes. when I take doggy out for walks I have a good look at them and work out how good a crop i'll be able to snaffle looking good. So im going to turn my hand at jam making for a wheeze.


Lynz - I picked them with David in August on holiday and then dad came down and helped me make the jam in his jam pan in October - in the interim I froze in several tupperware boxes.

My jam is known as a 'taste of summer' and the little girl next door was even a fan when I donated a spare jar! I am now on the last jar and looking forward to August again!

Cant help on the jar front - I used my dads!

lynzpower

is a jam pan something special or just a big pan?

i was going to use the breadmaker