How to sterilize jars for jams and preserves

When making your delicious marmalade, jam, chutney, or pickle, it is crucial to ensure that your jars are properly sterilized to maintain ultimate freshness. Follow these simple instructions by SSP for a clean and safe preserving process.

To start, it is essential to clean the jars thoroughly to prevent spoilage of the contents. Begin by washing the jars in hot, soapy water, and then rinse them well. Once cleaned, place the jars on a baking sheet and dry them completely in the oven at approximately 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Usually, this process takes around 10 minutes, but the duration can vary.

Proper sterilization of the jars is critical to remove bacteria, which can cause spoilage of the preserves. It is advisable to sterilize slightly more jars than you anticipate using to ensure you have enough for all your preserved mixtures.

If you have jars with rubber ring seals, remove the seals before washing the jars. Place the seals in a small saucepan, cover them with water, and boil for 2-3 minutes to sterilize them.

If you want to further extend the shelf life of your homemade preserves, there's a simple technique. Fill the sterilized jars with your preserves, screw on the lid tightly, and wrap each jar individually in newspaper. Submerge the wrapped jars in a large saucepan filled with water, bring it to a simmer, and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Finally, turn off the heat and allow the jars to cool completely in the pan.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your jars are properly sterilized and ready for your delicious jams, marmalades, chutneys, and pickles. Enjoy your homemade creations with the confidence of extended freshness and shelf life!