Tips and Hints
• To keep jars and lids warm until use, wash just before needed and keep them upright in a sink filled with hot water. Use a towel or tongs to handle them. Hot liquid into cold glass can cause glass to break.
• Where sterilised jars are required, wash as normal then place right side up in large pot (ensure the jars are not sitting directly on base of pot). Fill with water, completely submerging jars. Bring water to the boil and boil for 10 minutes. Keep jars in hot water until ready to fill them, and then remove one at a time, drain and dry prior to use.
• Once filled, keep jars upright at all times. Tilting the jar could cause the food to spill into the sealing area of the lid.
• When removing jars from the pot, take care not to pick them up from the lid. Dry carefully without pushing on or twisting the lid.
• Place jars on a towel to cool so as not to damage benchtops.
• The food level and liquid volume of jars will be noticeably lower after cooling.
• When storing, do not stack jars on top of each other, and try to avoid knocking them against each other. A dent in the lid could compromise the vacuum seal.
• Homemade preserves make wonderful gifts. Secure a piece of decorative fabric around the lid with string or ribbon and add a homemade label to the front.