I need loads and loads of jam jars as the quince is ready to pick for jelly making.
Buying new jars online ends up quite expensive when you add in the postage costs so I am planning to buy cheap, cheap jam, get rid of the jam and then reuse the jars.
Has anyone seen any really cheap jam on your travels in the supermarkets - or perhaps you could have a quick look for me next time you go ;)
Found some really cheap pasta sauce in jars in Aldi for 39p, which I used for passata, but the jars would be too big for jelly or jam. They had a special offer on their mustard, but I find that vinegar/curry always taints the lid.
I've got all my friends, family and neighbours saving theirs, just made 12 lb of blackcurrant, only have to give 4 jars away in exchange so not too bad :)
Last I bought really cheap 'smart saver' ASDA marmalade and used the jars to make my jam. The ASDA marmalade(which I threw away) was awful but it was still cheaper than buying new jars online...and youve always got the jars ;)
Duke
It does seem daft that jam jars are so expensive to buy, my friend at the allotment had the same problem and bought cheap curry paste for 10p. Don't know how they can make a profit on that. They threw the curry away and used the jars for tom paste, they said actually the curry paste tasted quite good, think it was Tesco. Wouldn't like to use curry paste jars with jam as the taste lingers, but it does seem silly to have to throw food away as the jars as cheaper than empty jars. I suppose you could go round the bins on recycling day as I always wash my jars and recycle, apart from the ones I save for jam making. Ask around for next year and I am sure friends and neighbours will give you plenty.
You can get the smell from some of your curry paste etc jars that you want to use for jam can some times be fixed if after washing well lay them out open side up outside on the kitchen window sill so that the sun /frost can get to them. I have found it fixes some of them. also when I put any saving jars away I always put a screwed up paper towel inside. qahtan
check out your local beekeeping association, honey jars are about 35p each, with a lid. :) if you buy a load, price falls to about 20p
Put a wanted ad on your local freecycle website.
Sainsbury's sell their basic curry sauce for 4p a jar. These are 1lb jars. Give them a good bleach though because you don't want curry flavoured jam! We used ours for strawberry jam.
Good ideas - many thanks for all your suggestions.
I like the local beekeepers suggestion, Tonybloke, esp as I would prefer jars all the same.
As I have so many quince I plan to sell some quince jelly at my church in aid of charity. It sold like hot cakes last time I did it and it looks much better in identical jars!
We also got our jars from Sainsburys. The curry sauce isnt to bad i just added a bit more spice but for 4p its worth it.
Hi Tinshed,
I haven't used this company myself but it was recommended on another forum as a good source for jam jars in bulk - 72 x 1lb honey jars for £29, would that be any use?
http://www.ascott-dairy.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eascott%2dshop%2ecom%2f&WD=jar&PN=Glass_Jars_and_Ceramic_Pots%2ehtml%23aDP124#aDP124
They are quite near the bottom, just above the gingham lids. As I say I have no idea of their reliability but the jars do look a good price.
I have been buying Sainsburys curry sauce too!
Good luck
T.
Must admit all my jars are re-used ones - but I always buy new lids ;)
Ninny
If you can get rid of the smell from the lid. the own brands of curry sauce is very cheap. Pennies
I use all sorts of glass jars and put a cover of cling film between the lid and the jar for keeping.
However one tip is to use straight drinking glasses. There are some plastic tops for covering, rather like shower caps, they look novel too.
Throw away the tainted lids & use the old fashioned jam pot covers, they are readily available at hardware stores or Lakeland
In case it is useful for anyone with a quince glut, I have just tried baking quinces in a deep baking tray with slightly sweetened water, covered with tin foil, in a slow oven for 3 or 4 hours. They come out beautifully soft and pink, the skin peels off easily, like tomato skins, and the flesh is soft and easy to core and slice, but has not collapsed.
I have frozen them in thick slices with some of the delicious juice. When I feel like it, I will make membrillo or jam, or serve them with creme fraiche and other fruit.
I won't make jelly that way, of course, because it's not too bad chopping up the fruit for jelly, with no need to peel and core.
I have several people saving jars for me - they prefer it to throwing them away.
Mmmm - like the sound of that, Artichoke :)
The local deli is saving me jars and on my travels I found that Morrisons value marmalade provides the cheapest jars - too big for quince jelly but perfect for jams and mamalade.