I seem to be having a lot of trouble getting my canning to stay properly. I fill the contents to 1/4" from the edge, I water seal them for ten minutes, but sometimes the jar seals still just randomly fail. Would a vacuum sealer work better?
Caning Seal Woes
- Thread starter Sona
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
pepperhead212
Executive Chef
Welcome to the forum!
We'll need more info, such as size of jars, what you are canning, what you did with the jars and lids before filling. As for a vacuum sealer, if you mean a pressure canner, some things require this - only acidic things or high sugar things can be done in a water bath, and 10 minutes is less than most call for. Usually it starts at 15 min for pints, so maybe you are working with 8 oz or smaller. As for an actual vacuum sealer, that wouldn't be used for canning - just dry ingredients, and the like.
We'll need more info, such as size of jars, what you are canning, what you did with the jars and lids before filling. As for a vacuum sealer, if you mean a pressure canner, some things require this - only acidic things or high sugar things can be done in a water bath, and 10 minutes is less than most call for. Usually it starts at 15 min for pints, so maybe you are working with 8 oz or smaller. As for an actual vacuum sealer, that wouldn't be used for canning - just dry ingredients, and the like.
blissful
Master Chef
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2008
- Messages
- 6,361
When you say you fill it to 1/4th inch, then, is that the required headspace for your item? (Item, headspace in inches?) Say tomatoes might be 1/4th inch.
When you say you seal it for ten minutes, do you mean your water bath canner was boiling with the jars for 10 minutes or something else? (describe your method?)
Vacuum sealers remove the air but do not sterilize the contents and push the air out. It would not be 'canned' or safe except for storing dry goods.
When you say you seal it for ten minutes, do you mean your water bath canner was boiling with the jars for 10 minutes or something else? (describe your method?)
Vacuum sealers remove the air but do not sterilize the contents and push the air out. It would not be 'canned' or safe except for storing dry goods.
I keep the jars and lids in a pot of boiling water to bring them to the temperature of the fruit preserves before pouring in. Usually 8oz and 4oz jars. Sorry for not stating earlier, but I do a lot of things with fruits. Preserves, jams, marmalades and the like. I was thinking of buying this to get a better seal.
IIRC 1/4" from the top of the rim. And you're right on the sealing. I heat the jars and lids up while cooking, pour the contents in, seal the jars, put back in boiling water for ten minutes, take out, and let sit for a day.
blissful
Master Chef
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2008
- Messages
- 6,361
It should seal with what you are doing. If the rolling boil slows down or stops when you put the closed jars in it, wait until it is back and at a rolling boil and time it for 10 minutes. I usually have mine slow down when the top is off the canner and the jars aren't as hot as the water, so then I put the lid back until it gets to a rolling boil, then time it.
If you decide to try to recan the ones that didn't seal. Start with removing the lid, making sure the level is at 1/4 inch from the top, wipe the rim of the glass with a paper towel and a few drops of vinegar, then put a new lid on it and the ring. Then instead of starting with boiling water, start with lukewarm water, put the jars in, cover it and turn it on high. Once it gets to a rolling boil, time for 10 minutes, then remove.
If you decide to try to recan the ones that didn't seal. Start with removing the lid, making sure the level is at 1/4 inch from the top, wipe the rim of the glass with a paper towel and a few drops of vinegar, then put a new lid on it and the ring. Then instead of starting with boiling water, start with lukewarm water, put the jars in, cover it and turn it on high. Once it gets to a rolling boil, time for 10 minutes, then remove.
pepperhead212
Executive Chef
I checked that vacuum sealer out, and way down in the description they tell you how much longer storage it gives you for some things, usually just several days. DEFINITELY not for sterilizing. I do things like that with my Foodsaver, to vacuum seal some dry goods, I don't use very often.
I too, looked at that Electric Vacuum sealer. It is strictly for dry goods. Not jams nor jellies, etc. I'm afraid it would suck liquid up into the "vacuum" and make a huge mess.
Go back and do as bliss has described. Let us know how it works out or you!
Go back and do as bliss has described. Let us know how it works out or you!
I apologize for taking so long to respond to you, bad habit of not checking. When I first seal, I pour the freshly hot contents into the already boiling jars, seal, and put back into the water and leave the heat on so it stays boiling constantly for 10 minutes, then take out. Sometimes the seals just... fail a week or two later. Needless to say, thank you for the advice.
Well phooey. Is there any sealers more meant for wet contents like preserves?
Loads of them on here- Amazon's waterbath canners
It is essentially a huge pot with a rack for inserting and removing the jars, plus a lid.
It is essentially a huge pot with a rack for inserting and removing the jars, plus a lid.
if you seals are "breaking" after a short or long time . . .
there's a limited number of suspects.
#1 - these are not "reused" lids, yes? reusing lids is a very big no-no
#2 - the lids are reasonably new/fresh? 10 year lids you found at a garage sale . . . not likely good to use.
#3 - _something_ is in the space between seal and jar lip/top.
presuming you've used care in filling and scrupulously wiped the jar lips before putting on the lid . . .
the only other source is insufficient "head space" - the contents heat up/out gas/boil/whatever - and content material gets between the lid and the jar lip.
there's a limited number of suspects.
#1 - these are not "reused" lids, yes? reusing lids is a very big no-no
#2 - the lids are reasonably new/fresh? 10 year lids you found at a garage sale . . . not likely good to use.
#3 - _something_ is in the space between seal and jar lip/top.
presuming you've used care in filling and scrupulously wiped the jar lips before putting on the lid . . .
the only other source is insufficient "head space" - the contents heat up/out gas/boil/whatever - and content material gets between the lid and the jar lip.
I believe there are some vacuum sealer jars that work with liquids. But, I'm pretty sure that method isn't safe for shelf stable wet foods. BTW, It's not just water bath canning and pressure canning that are considered safe methods. There are a couple of brands of steam canners that have been tested and have been approved by the National Center for Food Preservation.
Kathleen
Cupcake
I bought a steam canner this past summer. What a game changer! It's light-weight, heats quickly, and I just love it.
BAPyessir6
Senior Cook
I usually hand wash my lids and don't throw them in any sort of hot water. The hot water can potentially hurt/damage the rubber seal.
GotGarlic
Chef Extraordinaire
Canning lids are designed to be boiled in a boiling water bath. Hot water doesn't damage them; it begins the process of softening the adhesive, thus facilitating the seal.
Edit: Never mind. Turns out my information is out of date: "The proper way to prepare dome lids and screw bands for home canning is to simply wash them with warm, soapy water. That’s it! Many veteran home canners are used to preheating the dome lids in simmering water, but the manufacturer of Ball canning lids stopped recommending preheating lids about 10 years ago. Preliminary research shows that preheating lids may even be harmful, as it can cause lids to buckle during the canning process."
No Need to Preheat Canning Jar Lids - Cooperative Extension: Food & Health - University of Maine Cooperative Extension
— By Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Dome lids play an important role in home canning. They, along with a screw band, protect your food from spoilage by creating a vacuum seal that forms during the canning process. So it’s important to prepare...
OP, stop boiling your lids and your seals should work better.
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BAPyessir6
Senior Cook
Really? I didn't know that! Does that mean I can boil my lids alongside my rings/jars in the canning pot itself?
BAPyessir6
Senior Cook
Oops I only read the first half of Garlic's comment. Nevermind!
GotGarlic
Chef Extraordinaire
No, I edited my comment after looking it up. Continue with what you're doing.
