Should I sterilize new canning jars?
They are new. Never opened. Sealed. Do I have to bother sterilizing both lid and bottle by immersing them separately in canner and pan? Or are they safe and sterile considering they are straight from factory?
Best Answer
You should sterilize your jars and lids before every use.
The dust that gets on them between uses and even in the box is enough to warrant sterilizing.
It doesn't take long. Running them through a cycle in the dishwasher with a steam or sterilization step is enough. I boil the lids in a small sauce pan.
Edit
Debbie M's comment below made me think that some clarification is warranted.
Lids used to need to be heated to soften the seal so it would seal properly. That is no longer the case.
Additionally, bottles and lids don't need to be sterilized if they are going to be processed for longer than 10 minutes or pressure canned.
http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/general/recomm_jars_lids.html
Foods that are processed less should have sterilized jars and lids. I am in the habit of washing them in the dishwasher which also sterilizes them.
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Quick Answer about "Should I sterilize new canning jars?"
Jars do not need to be sterilized before canning if they will be filled with food and processed in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes or more or if they will be processed in a pressure canner. Filled jars that will be processed in a boiling water bath canner for less than 10 minutes need to be sterilized first.How do you sterilize new Mason jars?
Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water reaches a full rolling boil, begin timing. Boil the jars according to the time suggested above for the altitude. At sea level, for example, boil the jars for at least 10 minutes.Do mason jars get sterilized when bought?
Even when you purchase new jars in a box covered in plastic wrap, those jars are still not in a sterile environment. In addition to contamination by microorganisms that cannot be seen, packaged jars may accumulate dust, small bits of debris and even chips of glass in the case of breakage.Do you have to sterilize new mason jar lids?
Since 1970, you haven't needed to heat or sterilize the canning lids. You don't even need to warm the lids anymore, you can just use them room temperature; It's still recommended that you heat the jars, so you are not risking breakage by exposing the cold glass of the jar to hot contents and a hot canner.Do We Need To Sterilize Canning Jars? Canning Basics
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Answer 2
The current recommendation of the company that owns both the Ball & Kerr brands are that it is only necessary to clean the lids, bands, and jars well with soap and water before canning with them (a normal dishwasher cycle is fine). The canning process itself will sterilize them. It is also no longer necessary to heat the lids to soften the plastisol gasket.
Used jars should be sterilized and carefully checked for chips or cracks. Used lids should be discarded, or used for purposes other than canning (keeping jars in the refrigerator, or vacuum sealing dry goods, for example). Used bands should be cleaned.
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