Wax Circles / Discs for Jam making anyone?

daisyroots_2

Kippers is right - I've made tons of jam and marmalade over the years, never bothered with discs. Sterilisation and airtightness are the important things - I love jam making - have fun !

sam_i_am

Just wanted to say thank you to those who helped me out with my various questions re jam making. Couldn't find any waxed discs locally so I used washed cereal packet plastic and rubber bands. I made chunky peach marmalade and it's so nice! Think it was about to catch and I'm not entirely sure it was at it's set point but overall I'm pleased with my first attempt! It's sticking together which I assume is set?! I'll be having another go when this lot's done. Also I made florentines for dad's birthday and made a little presentation box. And if anybody's thinking jam making isn't for youngsters, I'm only 26! Have a go, it's really rewarding to see those little pots you made!xx

sharon59

well done in your first jam sucsess!Keep going now!

sand-not-oil

daisyroots wrote: »

Kippers is right - I've made tons of jam and marmalade over the years, never bothered with discs. Sterilisation and airtightness are the important things - I love jam making - have fun !

Just about to make my 1st ever batch of Blackberry jam, and I saw the bits about how you don't need a wax top it just needs to be airtight.

I am planning to use the jars that I have kept from bought in jam, but I don't see how I can make them airtight without the wax tops? I'm a bit puzzled , please can someone explain.

Penelope_Penguin

sand-not-oil wrote: »

Just about to make my 1st ever batch of Blackberry jam, and I saw the bits about how you don't need a wax top it just needs to be airtight.

I am planning to use the jars that I have kept from bought in jam, but I don't see how I can make them airtight without the wax tops? I'm a bit puzzled , please can someone explain.

Hot jam into a warm jar. As they cool, they shrink, so forming a slight vacuum in the air space above the jam. This keeps the jar airtight, and causes the slight *pop* when the jar is opened.

Penny. x

sand-not-oil

Penny,
Thanks for the quick reply, does this mean I should fill to the lid level , and then put the lid on the jar whilst still hot?

Penelope_Penguin

sand-not-oil wrote: »

Penny,
Thanks for the quick reply, does this mean I should fill to the lid level , and then put the lid on the jar whilst still hot?

I usually fill a warm jar with hot jam, to within about 3mm of the top of the jar, then put on a warmed lid immediately. I don't usually use waxed discs, either

HTH, Penny. x

jamanda

I put cling film on before the lid - just in case .....
J

allIcouldwishfor

The only time I've ever used waxed discs is if I have run out of screw top lids and have lidless jars. Otherwise I just put the hot jam into warm jars and screw the lid on straight away.

I've been making jam, marmalade and chutney for the last 5 years like this and haven't had any problems yet.

kippers

I made my jam on the 25th July when i started this thread and its been fine without thewax disc. I've made more jam since and they all seem to be airtight after they have cooled down.