Jam and Sterilising

[donlottie]

Just made 3 jars of strawberry jam. Used second hand jars, washed in dishwasher, zapped in the microwave for 4 minutes, then filled with the jame. ---- What now?????

I have guessed and put a circle of silicon baking paper on top of the jam and then put the lid back on it. Should I have waited for it to cool. Should I have thrown away the lids and covered with paper Help, need to know before my jam cools

[donlottie]

[tim]

I would have done what you did. For what that might be worth!!

Waxed circles are a lot cheaper than silicone.

[donlottie]

thanks a bunch Tim, first time doing Jam, cant wait to try it out.

[legendaryone]

I always rinse my jars in boiling water. Wax discs etc are only needed if you are not going to put a screw lid on, for example if you are going to put a pretty doily on.

[Lindsay]

I have always sterilised jam jars (new or second hand) by washing in dishwasher, then heating in microwave just before filling with hot jam. But I used to have the odd jar of jam go mouldy on me when I used wax discs, even though that isn't supposed to happen.

For the last three years or so, I have adopted the method here in France of turning the jars upside down as soon as they are full of hot jam and the lids are on. And so far - no mouldy jam! Is it a coincidence? Hopefully not!

[tim]

I still believe in belt & braces.

I do believe that circles help prevent surface mould. They also help prevent drying out of the surface if the seal is not perfect.

Since they cost virtually nothing, it seems false economy not to use them.  They certainly do help reduce lid damage with pickles?