[dmg]

I have tried jam on a small scale this year and would like to invest in a complete kit for next year as well as doing chutneys. I am looking to get a full kit that will have everything I need.
What recommendations does anyone have?

Thanks,
Dmg

[mumofstig]

All you really need is a deep/large pan. (special jam pans are called maslin pans)

I also use a sugar thermometer, some long handled wooden spoons and a jam funnel (all my jars are saved and recycled)
If you want to try jellies you'll need some cheesecloth/muslin to strain them through 

[Mrs Bee]

I totally agree with MOS. You can get a large stainless steel jam/maslin pan from Amazon cheaper than anywhere else.
make sure it is stainless steel as you have to have stainless steel for chutneys.

[Beetroot Queen]

I have a maslin pan and love it, dont really bother with my thermometer, but a long handled spoom is a must i split mine and i'm making do but the burns tell me to go and invest in a new one asap.

I purchased my bits individually as i wanted to choose each bit. I also have a jam funnel and a chutney funnel one wide neck and one a bit thinner. They fit my jars perfectly and make life so much easier.

[Madame Cholet]

yes I agree a long spoon that won't fall in the jam a pan and a funnel or really good pouring pirex type jug.
and then a 2nd pan later for gluts. Look out for pans 2nd hand too if your really lucky.

[Beetroot Queen]

Pans often come up on freecycle down here but i have four suitable pans so DO NOT need more. Hubby has brain washed me can you tell 

[Madame Cholet]

I've got three but I hav'nt got a big family like you I think 4 is very conservative in your situation

I carried one back on the train from Hebden Bridge afew weeks ago with some funny looks and comments from other passengers

[Sparkyrog]

I have 1 but its only little me 

[mumofstig]

I bought my big pan and my ordinary saucepans back from Greece,  they were inexpensive but good quality stainless steel 
The smaller pans went in my case but the big pan was brought back as my hand luggage 

[dmg]

Thanks for all the replies,
I have a large stainless steel stock pot that I used for the first lot of jam The base isn't very thick does that matter too much? I can pick up wooden spoons easy enough, now just need to find the funnels. If I'm reusing glass jars (cooking sauces mainly) can I reuse their lids or is it better to buy new ones?

Thanks
Dmg

[mumofstig]

You just have to be a bit more careful that the jam doesn't burn , if the pan has a thinner bottom. Other than that - no problem
I reuse jars and lids - I prefer the lids with a dimple cos it's easy to see that you have a good seal 
I use any that still have a curry smell for my chutneys 

[Madame Cholet]

Some chutneys do well in the slow cooker overnight if you have one.