Canning Jars - A Question

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I recently did some computer work for someone, and when pay was mentioned I said I would be willing to barter. Well, I got over 100 canning jars! They are the old-style, with the glass tops with wire closures that snap over the top. Does anyone know where I can find gaskets for these? They *do* need to have gaskets don't they? I have canned for years, but never used these old-style jars before. Thanks in advance, Bobbi http://www.buzzbyte.com/

-- Bobbi (bobbia@slic.com), December 28, 1998

Answers

Bobbi, if you have a Mennonite, or Amish store in your area, you will find they carry the jar rubbers with tabs for your type jars. They also have the Blue Book of Canning, parafin, flats and rings, jar lifters and other handy canning supplies. You made a good deal. The price of new jars, like you bartered for, now run from 6 to 9 dollars per jar. Hope this helps.

-- gilda jessie (jess@listbot.com), December 28, 1998.

From the early days of my awareness, I have viewed canning jars as vital. I have 120 cases of jars (12 jars per case) and plan on have a total of 200 cases, along with at least 10,000 lids. My question is, since I am preparing for 20/25 people, what else do I need? I know nothing about canning, but I know that I need others items. Pressure canners? Size? Large pots (and I mean LARGE)? Any links that would help me?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Mike

-- Mike Roach (boxman9186@aol.com), December 28, 1998.


Bobbi,

re: gilda's answer

Sounds like you need to get to e-bay...you could raise enough $$$$ to buy umpteen new jars with lids and rings, and have lot's of money left over to fill them.

btw, Let me say, GREAT DEAL!

-- S.Rathers (srathers@hotmail.com), December 28, 1998.


Mike -- you certainly have plenty of jars -- you see, you're using the spring canning as you're putting the fall vegetables in them, depending on where you live. You need a Ball canning book -- preferably an old one, prior to 1970. The current ones are a little trendy and are not intended to direct someone to can for sustinance. You're also going to need at least two pressure canners. It helps to have two going at once -- seven jars at a time takes a long time to add up. You're also going to need boing water canners, as well as large pots to cook your produce in before canning. I use an outdoor gas cooker to heat my tomatoes, salsa, etc. before canning. Try "homecanning.com" for a good web site. It's put up by bernardin. Good luck!

-- Dookie (tlfrazier@ipass.net), December 28, 1998.

http://www.foodsafety.org/canhome.htm

This was extracted from the "Complete Guide to Home Canning," Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 539, USDA. Reviewed 1994 ~~~~~~~~~~ Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Co.,Inc. P.O. Box 246 Manitowoc, WI 54220 414-682-8286 (this number may not be correct now)

Bout as heavy duty as you can get. No seals. Metal to metal. Seven different sized models. Smallest wont' even hold a quart jar, to the largest (which I've had since 1986) model 941 which holds 18 quart jars. I think the 941 ran about $150 back then. ~~~~~~~~~ http://www.survival-center.com/foodfaq/ff-intro.htm

Food storage FAQ, either in HTML or Zipped text. ~~~~~~~~~ Use Deja News search for FAQ in newsgroup rec.food.preserving... It is 6 sections, about 500k. massive amount of info.

-- Mitchell Barnes (spanda@inreach.com), December 28, 1998.



I saw some canning articles on the Backwoods Home Magazine web-site http://www.backwoodshome.com -- fascinating link someone posted earlier.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 28, 1998.


Your rubber rings are available at places like K-Mart, SuperK, Discount Drug Mart, True Value Hardware Stores, etc.

cr

-- Chuck a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), December 28, 1998.


OH! BTW! Ge VERY careful about the cook time formulas, PARTICULARLY for Tomatoes, as the old times are too short due to the DECREASE in acid in the new tomatoes. Use a modern Blue Book for these.

CR

-- Chuck a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), December 28, 1998.


This is off the topic but anyone having a Big Lots near them, may be able to get canning jars in the Quart size regular mouth for $3.89 a dozen. I went in there this morning and was surprised to see that they had filled up empty Christmas shelves with canning jars.

-- Sue (deco100@aol.com), December 28, 1998.

BTW, don't forget that almost all premium spaghetti sauce now comes in Mason jars! These can be used for canning (I have) with new lids and rings. It's probably a good idea to have HUGE amts of lids and rings. I am going out this week to get some more! For those not easily embarrassed, empty spaghetti sauce jars can be scavenged for nothing out of recycling sidewalkk containers, esp in urban areas. (I am not easily embarassed, and am always scavenging something!) In my brief canning life, I must say the most useful accessory has been the jar lifter, closely followed by the wide-mouth alum. funnel which fits nicely into the tops of the jars (yardsale find).

-- judy (wednesdayschild@hotmail.com), December 28, 1998.


Last summer Goodwill had thousands of jars to get rid of that had come in with all the yard sales. I got hundreds for 5cents apiece. Also St. Vincent De Paul here in Washington regularly sells jars for 10 cents apiece.

-- Ann Fisher (zyax55b@prodigy.com), December 29, 1998.

Sue, Went to Big Lots (none at first store) Second store had Quart size wide mouths for $5.69 a dozen, still beats Wal-Mart's price. Everyone check with your County Extension Office and locate the Community Canneries. I have to go to another county for lessons (you bring food and jars, lids etc and they supply other equipment and instructions. Helps you to decide what you will need before you make a big investment into your equipment. Going to be a very interesting year. Diana

-- Diana (count@364.day), January 01, 1999.

# # # 19990101 Is US$2.99/box of 12 new lids a good price? Grocery store had 64 boxes ( 768 ); US$191.36 + 6% MI sales tax; US$0.2491/each. Regards, Bob Mangus # # #

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus@mail.netquest.com), January 01, 1999.

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