Homemade jam

squishyclaire

I am trying to make jam for Xmas pressies for this year. I have got all my recipies together and some free elderberries I picked at the weekend and some crab apples from my friend. However I am not sure how to seal it. All the resources on the internet seem to controdict themselves. Some say to put the wax disks on while the jam is hot, others when it is cold. Also I thought I didn't need the jam jar lids and I got rid of them. Will the little plastic covers you put on with an elastic band be ok instead. I made marmalade earlier in the yar and I obviously got this bit all wrong as it was mouldy on the top after a month. I was gutted as it had been such hard work.

Also does anyone have any success stories with jam/jellies in the breadmaker?

trying-very-trying

I'm no expert, but I do know you have to sterilise the jars, could that have been the problem with your marmalade.
As for your jar lids, you could cut some pretty material, and put it over the plastic covers. It looks nicer for gifts.

Penelope_Penguin

This is what I do, but not everyone does the same

Wax discs, wax side down, onto hot jam, though I don't bother with these any more.

Screw-on lid when hot, and tighten up fully when cool enough to handle.

For exhibition, new lids are needed, so I use the plastic discs. Dampen the upper surface and place over the hot jam and secure with elastic band. This will tighten and seal as the jam cools.

For gifts, I'd put on the screw-on lid, then cover with a circle of fabric, cut with pinking shears, and secure with an elastic band.

Don't pass this on, when I was at school, I made marmalade, when I came to the local show, it was mouldy. I removed it carefully, fresh wax disc, fresh lid, First Prize :T

HTH, Penny x

Penelope_Penguin

These older threads might give you more ideas:

Jam making for 1st timer

No wax discs - about to make jam

Make jam in your breadmaker


HTH, Penny. x

tiff

I made my first jam this morning, made chutney the first time a few weeks ago. I actually made crab apple jelly today from crab apples I picked from the cemetery (with my new Lidl fruit picker!)

If you have a lot of fruit to make jam it might be worth asking for a preserving pan on freecycle. I asked recently and was given 2 pans, these cost around £35 new. I was so pleased with them. They are much bigger than the a large saucepan. Maybe a stockpot would do as well?

squishyclaire

Thanks for your your helpful comments and links. Reading this I think I do need some jars with lids so I will post to freecycle and see if I can get any jars with lids. Going to have a go with the breadmaker too.

squishyclaire

What is a Lidl fruit picker?

tiff

Its a telescopic pole with a bag on the end, handy for picking fruit you cant reach. Lidl had them in last week for £3.99.

squishyclaire

I have just been thinking about using the plastic discs on the top of the jam. If I put the plastic discs on whilst the jam is hot does this not seal in condensation that would make the jam mouldy?

rockie4

I sterilise the jars in a warm oven then ut the wax disc on wax side down. Dampen the plastic cover, stretch over the top and secure withthe elasic band. I make them look nice for presents with scraps of material cut with pinking shears or get the paper tops from Lakeland. Doing it this way I've never had it go mouldy, in fact I've still got jam inthe cupboard from last year.

squishyclaire

Thanks, i think I am getting parnoid about mould because of my mouldy marmalade experience!!