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How to Sterilize Jam Jars for Preserving
Correctly sterilizing your jars, lids and bottles is a vital part of the preserve making process as it will stop the contents spoiling. With a little know how you can confidently, easily and safely sterilize jars time after time.
Instructions
Water sterilization
- To properly sterilize jam jars, place the jars on a rack at the bottom of a large maslin pan or saucepan.
- Completely submerge the jars. Make sure the water is at least 5cm/2" above the top of the jars.
- Bring the water to the boil.
- Once the water is boiling, start timing. Boil the jars for 10 minutes.
- Remove the jars from the pan with silicone tipped tongs. Empty out the water, and allow to stand upside down to drain completely. Do not dry with a drying up cloth, as that will mean the jars are no longer sterile. Turn the right way up to allow to dry completely, while remaining hot.
- Fill with jam while still hot.
Sterilizing jars in the oven
- Sterilizing jam jars in the oven is not as effective as using a water bath, as water is a better conductor of heat than air.
- Wash and rinse jars thoroughly.
- Heat oven to low: 180°C 350°F Gas Mark 4.
- Place jars in a roasting dish. Place in the oven for at least 15 minutes.
- Remove and fill while still hot.
Sterilizing jars in the microwave
- Wash and rinse jars throughly. Do not dry
- Place in a microwave oven on full power for one minute.
- Remove and fill while still hot.
How to sterilize jam jar lids
- Wash and rinse lids throughly
- Place lids upside down in a saucepan. This way they won't float. Cover with water
- Bring to the boil.
- Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- Remove to use; shake off the water, and screw the lid onto the jam jar. Do not dry with a cloth.
Notes
These guidelines are only for preserves made with sugar and vinegar as the preservative - Jams, jellies, chutneys and the like.
Greater precautions are needed for canning fruits and vegetables where the jar contents are not preserved and shelf stable with sugar or acidity.
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.