Where to find glass jars?

mrsthrifty_2

dont forget your local recycling bottle banks

I often find when taking my glass people have left jars and unusual coloured glass items in a cardboard box, as if they were reluctant to destroy something that could be of use to someone else.

As the glass jars need to be sterilised it isnt important to know of their origin

I use both my local village hall and tesco bottle banks and have seen them at both places

GrillMonkey

I'm interested in making jam and marmalade but I'm not sure about the jars.

Do I need to buy special jars or can I use the honey jars I've got left over from making mead?

Thanks

Swishy_bell

I just use any left over jars. Make sure they have metal lids as this means you get the vacume created as the jam cools which helps it keep. I'm sure honey ones would be fine with a good wash!:D

thriftlady_2

Gosh yes, don't buy jars specially. I use honey jars often, I like the screwtop lids;) I also use jars that have had mayonnaise, tomato puree, olives, sun-dried tomatoes etc in them.

nimbo

do they need to be sterile, or can i just wash em really well...

thriftlady_2

Yes they do need to be sterile, but this just involves washing well and drying in a 100 degree oven for about 10 mins;) Just got mine out of the oven ready to pot my marmalade.

kings981

You can use any jars, and don't have to have metal lids, or any lids. You can buy jar pot covers in kitchen shops - which are thin layers of plastic which you wet and then cover using an elastic band. This creates a seal, and the jam keeps for years.

To sterlise I wash thorough, then rinse in hot water. Place in the oven til dry, then fill with the jam.

LameWolf

I wash mine in a little of the steriliser I use for wine making. But yes, pretty much any old jar although I prefer a screw lid (although I tend to steer clear of pickled onion jars, as they still seem to whiff a bit, even after cleaning). In fact, I usually scrounge jars from a friend of Mr LW, in exchange for a couple back filled with jam.

GrillMonkey

Exellent!! Thanks for all the replys. So, I've got 6 empty jars to fill and a sugar thermomiter to buy.

billieboy_2

GrillMonkey wrote: »

Exellent!! Thanks for all the replys. So, I've got 6 empty jars to fill and a sugar thermomiter to buy.

I've never used a thermometer . Watch out you'll get addicted! I've got a whole shelf filled with HM jams, marmalade and chutneys, pickled garlic ........ More than enough to keep us going until I start again in the summer and they made lovely Christmas presents as well.