Sterilizing

[Justy]

sorry but going to ask a really stupid basic question that I know I used to know the answer to (?!)

What is the best way to sterilise a jar for pickles?  I am going to have a go at the yummy sounding pickled garlic that Gavin seems famous for but do not know how to sort out the jars.  Also what about the lid?

[Justy]

[tim]

How about -

"Sterilising jars
The simplest method is to place clean, open jars on an oven tray lined with kitchen paper. Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/gas mark 3 and leave the jars in there for 10 minutes.
Alternatively, run them through a dishwasher cycle. They will come out perfectly clean and still hot. Pour the hot sauces or chutneys straight into the jars.
Or, bring a kettle to the boil. Clean your jars well and pour boiling water into them to the top. Leave for a couple of minutes and empty out. Again, use straight away."

But go easy on the lids if you are re-using pickle etc jars - I don't think that the seal can stand too much oven heat?
I can vouch for Gavin's pickle!

[Justy]

Thanks  - I had a feeling it was along those lines.  The garlic is now just waiting to go into the jar.  Unfortunately had to buy the garlic so not very much.  I suppose I am too late to plant any this year?

[tim]

Probably!

[Justy]

going to Isle of Wight for hols this summer so will have to buy a bulk load!

[Mrs Ava]

I have done all 3 of Tims methods, and they have all done the trick for me.

And I would like to second Gavins pickled Garlic.  YUM!  :P ;D

[littlegem]

i have loads of jars to re-use for pasta sauces and pickles and stuff, in my books it tells me to use new lids. finding new lids to fit my jars is not easy, can i re-use the lids, if so, what precautions do i take, and will it do any harm, and how do i strerilse them. i'd really like to use the jars i've got cos some are the bertolli sauce ones with imprints of veg and stuff on them, really pretty.

[tim]

Lids? So long as they are un-stained & the seal is unmarked, they do fine for any pickle, chutney or jam (the non-smelly ones!). But I would not re-use lids for anything needing a total seal. You can get spare lids - at least for 1lb jars - on the net. Lakeland etc.

Sterilise? See above?