[digital_biscuit]

Hi all

Decided this year that instead of giving my surplus veg away i would use it for other means. Made my first jam yesterday and had it on my toast this morning. Lovely!!

I do have a question though. In all the recipes i have read they say do not use metal lids for chutneys. If all i have are metal lidded jars, can i use waxed paper? If so, where can i buy this from as i found none in my local sainsburys yesterday!

Thanks
Digi

[Novice but totally hooked]

You can buy specially made circles to fit in the top of jars.  I got my last pack from Robery Dyas.

I don't usually put any waxed paper in my jars - only if I'm entering them in a competition - and I've never had a problem with the lids.  I think it's only if the contents actually touch the lid that you may have a problem because the sugars in the jams will react with the elements in the lid.

In other words, don't overfill your jars - although maybe the chemists amongst us will give some scientific reason as to why paper should be used.

[digital_biscuit]

i thought that with chutneys it was because of the vinegar?!?!?

[Novice but totally hooked]

Don't use them with my chutneys either.

[GrannieAnnie]

If I use jars with metal lids for jams and chutneys, I usually put cling film over the top first then screw the top on.  The contents of the jar then can't react with the metal lid.

I did leave some onions in a metal lidded jar too long once, and when I took the top off, it had almost rusted away with the vinegar!!!!

[digital_biscuit]

GrannieAnnie

Thanks for that idea, i shall do that! Cheers!!

[Beetroot queen]

I used grease prrof paper circles place inside the rim of the lid and have had no problems, I used three in each, I also didnt overfill the jars but i did add the waxed circles to the top of the chutneys, which i got from lakeland  

[Poolfield2]

I save up peanut butter jars with plastic lids for chutneys and find I can get an airtight seal, failing that get my friends to save up jars from posh tomato sauces as they cope well with the vinegar.

[chrissie B]

digital biscuit i know just how good the real stuff is and just how good it tastes , try the marrow and ginger jam ,yum yum
i use the cooking paper just cut into squares pop over the jar and put the lid on , works well with chutney stops the tops corroding
chrissie b

[GrannieAnnie]

I also started buying my Nescafe coffee in the cheap shops in Boston and Spalding.  It is proper Nescafe, but I think its the stuff they make for the continent as they are in square jars.  They've also started to put them in 100gm jars and they've got a plstic top.  Ideal for jams and stuff, but if the cardboard bit comes out of the lid, then I still use cling film or greaseproof otherwise its not sealed properly.

But the coffee is lovely, and only £1 for 100gms, unlike the supermarkets!!!!