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Tag: Jars

Choose the Right Jar

Canning jars
Photo: USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning

A variety of jar sizes are available to use in canning. Reliable recipes sources will indicate what size of jars are to be used for that recipe. But can you use a jar not listed for that recipe? Yes and no.

Standard jar sizes include half pint (8-oz.), pint (16-oz.), and quart (32-oz.). There are also in-between sizes such as 4-oz., 12-oz., 24-oz., and 28 oz.

When a recipe lists half-pint only, you cannot use a larger jar. This is because the larger jar may require a longer processing time which must be tested and verified to ensure safety. Guessing, by the home food preserver, can lead to spoiled food. If a recipe indicates half-pint AND pint, you can use a 12-oz. jar, but you cannot use any jar larger than a pint. For jams and jellies, 4-oz. jars are a good option. Use 4 oz. jars like half-pints; 12-oz. jars like pints; and 24-oz. and 28-oz. jars like quarts.

Just because your family uses a certain food in larger quantities, does not mean you can preserve in larger jars. Be smart, be safe!

A Jar Guide to what foods are best preserved in the various sizes of jars is at www.ballmasonjars.com/take-guesswork-out-jar-selection.html.

 

Home Canning with Commercial Jars

Canning jars
Use jars recommended for home canning for best, and safest, results.
Photo: KSRE

The last couple years has pushed home canners to resort to using questionable home canning supplies and methods. One of these questionable supplies is reusing commercial jars. Is this possible?

Commercial jars are not designed to be reused in home canning. There are many types of glass and not all glass jars are tempered to withstand the home canning process. This could result in broken jars, spoiled food, and food loss.

Because the lids used on commercial jars cannot be reused, home canning 2-piece lids may not fit the mouths of commercial jars properly. Therefore, lids will not seal properly.

The “Atlas” brand shows up on some of todays commercial jars. These jars used to be made by the Hazel-Atlas Company, but they are no longer in business. The “Atlas” name used on commercial jars is for marketing purposes only.

Source: UCCE Master Food Preservations of El Dorado County, University of California Facebook page