To make sure I understand last answer: Is it safe to reuse preserve jars from store bought preserves with screw on lids? I want to use frozen fruit to make preserves. I also saved the jars and lids from store bought preserves and want to use them for the canning. Is this ok?
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No. Neither jars nor single-piece lids from off-the-shelf groceries should be used for home canning.
The jars are thinner and weaker than Mason jars, and the lids won’t seal properly, or will seal too early, unless torqued correctly. There’s too much risk of exploding jars or failed seals unless you’re processing those things with the sort of industrial equipment they’re meant to be processed with.
Now, that’s all specific to pressure canning and boiling water bath canning. If you just want to make preserves and pour them into jars and refrigerate the jars, there’s no problem with that. The only problem is processing the jars once they’ve been filled.
Sneftel
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Some artisanal goods use what appear to be regular canning jars, and it should be OK to reuse those jars. If your store-bought preserves came in jars with a Bell, Mason, or other home-canning logo molded into the glass they should be OK. Lids can only be used one time, regardless of whether they're commercial or home-canned. If you can't find home-canning lids that fit your store-bought jars, those jars are not reusable for canning. Always inspect the rim for any kind of damage that could affect the seal, even with brand-new home-canning jars.
Crash Gordon
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