[Casey76]

My cupboards are now full to bursting as I made three lots of jam yesterday (Apricot jam Raspberry jam and redcurrant jelly).

Now I have a question about the jarring of it.

I'm using twist off metal caps, and as per the instructions I fill the hot jar with hot jam, tighten the lid and invert until cold.

However doing this either leaves me with a gap at the bottom of the jar (some of my jam has a rather, er, aggressive set lol) or with a smear of jam at the top of the jar.

Am I doing this wrong? (or is this why people put nice little covers on the jam tops to hide the jar to the shoulders lol!)

[mumofstig]

My twopenn'orth..................
I've never done this 'invert jar' thing .........I don't know when people started doing that........we never did when I learnt. It used to be little waxed discs, sellophane tops and elastic bands in those days
As long as the caps are sterile and dry I can't see that there would be a problem. Over many years I've only ever had a few lids not seal properly........ and just stored the jar in the fridge and eaten the contents quickly....a good excuse

[Casey76]

Well i think the idea is to create a better seal, and being new to this whole jam making business I'm following all the guidelines

OK, so for the next batch I won't invert and do a comparison.

Thanks MOS

[birmancats]

I've never heard of inverting the jar.  I just fill into hot jars and put the metal lids in some boiling water and then onto the jar with the oven gloves!

[Val H]

Another one that never inverts the jars. Jam tends to shrinks a little as it sets and, if it's upside down, you'll end up with the gap at the bottom. I sterilize the lids in the oven along with the jars and can't remember having a problem with them sealing properly. Interestingly, it was always the case when showing jams, to use the wax discs. However, having just read the schedule for Nantwich Show, they are now saying that if you use screw/twist on lids there is no need to use the wax discs.

[Casey76]

You can show jam?  :blink:

Maybe not for a while lol!

[tode]

Cherry and strawbetty jam can be inverted: it keeps the fruit better distributed through the jam, but only for 4 or 5 minutes (otherwise all the fruit ends up at the bottom, instead of the top   

Read somewhere that the contact of the hot jam ensures sterilisation of the lid, but if they've been well boiled, I don't see the need.

[Spana]

You can show jam?  :blink:

Yeh, i put jam and lemon curd in our show
Our show insists on cellophane and wax disc which i never use. I just use sterilised jars with screw lids.  So day before the show i unscrew the jar , press on a wax disc and put on the cellophane.  I did ask if it was ok to do that and they said yes, its what most people do , it just makes it easier for the judge not to have to unscrew a tight lid

[tosca100]

I don't invert either. As everyone has said, sterilisation is key. I have some plum jam in the cupboard I've had a couple of years, it's fine with no disc  

[Casey76]

Right then... lids will go in the oven with the jars and I won't invert.

Thanks all

I must say though that jam funnels (the ones where the opening just sits in the mouth of the jar) are one of the best inventions ever!

[mumofstig]

I totally agree.........there used to be jam everywhere 

[Trillium]

In my many years of jam making, I've never inverted the jars. I just do the sterilizing bit and water bath the jars to seal.
My mother does invert the jars, but she still uses the old glass topped jars with rubber rings and these needed upside down treatment to seal them. She now uses the metal self-sealing lid jars and finds no need now to invert them.

[JodieDawn]

Spana which show do you do?
Royal Cornwall and Stithians? x

[Spana]

Spana which show do you do?
Royal Cornwall and Stithians? x

Nothing so grand, way too up-market for me. 

 St Genny's, just inland from Crackington Haven
Only small but local to me and very nice.  The silver band plays at tea time while we all drink cups of tea , eat cakes and watch the prizes and cups given out Everyone again makes jokes about my Victoria sponge and its a lovely day

[Poolfield2]

I'm an "inverter" but I only leave them that way up for about 5 mins. I also sterilise the jars and lids in the oven, so belt and braces kinda girl here