Where to find glass jars?

thriftlady_2

Yes it is perfectly fine to reuse old jars. Wash them in hot soapy water and sterilise by putting them in a 100 degree oven for 10 mins. Pot the jam while the pots are hot.

Use the lids to seal. If you don't have lids then put a waxed disc on the surface of the jam then a cellophane disc over the top secured with an elastic band.

tiddly_widdly

but you can buy lids from lakeland if you prefer lids.

domesticgoddess789

do you sterilise the lids too? and if so how? x

janetmw

When I make jam and marmalade, I always reuse jars and their metallic lids.

I wash the jars in hot soapy water, rinse them and then put them in the oven on a very low setting for at least ten minutes before the jam is ready for potting.

I also recycle the lids as long as the inside surface looks sound (no sign of rusting or damage). These I prepare by washing thoroughly in hot soapy water and drying with kitchen towel or clean tea towel. It would not be a good idea to put them in a hot oven as the inside surface is often plastic coated, so to sterilize them I spray the inside surface of each one with a small amount of Dettox and dry off with kitchen towel. I have never had a jar 'go bad'.

I occasionally buy some extra lids from Lakeland or here to replace the damaged/spoilt ones.

I pot the jam while still hot and screw the lids on tightly. There is something very satisifying in hearing the lids 'pop' as the jam cools and the lids create a vacuum.

Hope this helps

Janet

Patchwork_Quilt

I sterilise the lids by filling them with boiling water from the kettle whilst I am sterilising the jars. Leave for a few minutes then tip the water out and put straight on top of the jar.

I always save lids, even if we use the jar for paint, or something. Lids tend to come in certain sizes and sometimes one will fit another jar if the original lid is damaged.

Good luck

thriftlady_2

pinkhayley789 wrote: »

do you sterilise the lids too? and if so how? x

Well I don't -i just give them a good wash. They're coated with plastic (so they're vinegar proof) and I wouldn't want to get them too hot. I keep my preserves for years and they're always fine.

Grogg

I sterilise my jars by washing and drying then putting boiling water from the kettle in them half way and popping in the microwave for 1 min.

I used to use my old baby bottle microwave steriliser but I loaned it to a friend to borrow and that's the last I saw of it.

milliemonster

you can also sterilise jars just by putting them through your dishwasher, I always put a wax disc on top though even with a sterile jar, esp if you're making a lot and not going to be eating it for a while, then you can store them in the cupboard but as soon as you open one it needs to be stored in the fridge

countrybum

I've been looking for some swing top glass bottles for sloe gin and bramble brandy and just found a great offer on www.jamjarshop.com, on 250ml and 500ml bottles its buy 6 get 6 free! Hope someone finds this useful

hollies_2

Hi there. Do you have a local Scrapstore? We have one called Orincco and they usually have glass jars - they come in and go out quickly but a whole bag of stuff is only £2 - I love it!!