Do I need to use sterilized jars straight away?

Do I need to use sterilized jars straight away? - Happy adult woman in warm coat and scarf with shopping bags smiling away while standing on street and talking on phone against blurred urban environment in cool overcast weather

When making jams and preserves you obviously need to sterilize the jars. After the jars have been sterilized do you need to use them straight away or can you sterilize them in advance and keep them for when you're ready to use them?

food-safetyfood-preservationutensils


Best Answer

You should be packing the jars while they are still hot, for rawpacked or hot-packed products. For hot-packed products, this helps avoid the risk of the jar breaking.

For great instructions on how to can at home, see the National Center for Home Food Preservation.



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Do you have to use Sterilised jars straight away?

If your jar or lid is damaged do not use it. It's best to sterilise containers around 20 minutes or so before you need them. You're best to use them immediately after being sterilised and adding your chutney, homemade sauce, or jam into the jar or bottle as quickly as you can to make sure harmful bacteria stays at bay.

Can you sterilize jars ahead of time?

To pre-sterilize jars, place the cleaned jars right-side-up on a rack in a canner and fill the jars and canner with water to 1-inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a boil and then boil for 10 minutes at altitudes less than 1,000 feet elevation.

How long do jars stay Sterilised?

Once in sterilised jars like this your preserves should keep for about 6 months in a cool, dark place, but do check the recipe you're using for a more accurate shelf life as some preserves will last longer than others.

Do you need to sterilise new jam jars?

Sterilising jars when making jams, chutneys and preserves is an important step to prevent all of your hard work spoiling due to a buildup of harmful bacteria. If you are using jars with rubber seals, be sure to remove these before placing in the oven.


How To - sterilise jars



More answers regarding do I need to use sterilized jars straight away?

Answer 2

Personally I'd sterilise my jars as they are needed. Doing so ensures there are no bacteria and also keeps the jars slightly warm. Placing a potentially hot substance into a cold jar is asking for trouble.

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