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