Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Cooking, Storing and Preserving => Topic started by: MsKcyclingfan on August 23, 2010, 12:09

Title: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: MsKcyclingfan on August 23, 2010, 12:09
Hi Im new to this, Ive made a batch of chutney but think it's going to get eaten very quickly. However I am making a second batch.
How should I have prepared my jars, I've washed them in the dishwasher on the 65degree wash, is this ok?
Many thanks
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: Val H on August 23, 2010, 12:17
I'd still sterilise them just before filling. Put them into a cool oven, Gas Mark 1 (140°C/275°F), for a few minutes.
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: Curlytop on August 23, 2010, 13:01
I wash mine out with hot soapy water, rinse and then put in the oven gas mark 1 as Val does, if I use the Kilner jars I sterilise the rubber bands along with any jam jar lids by using Milton Tablets for babies bottles. I have been using this method for some time now and fortunately I haven't poisoned anyone yet.
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: MsKcyclingfan on August 23, 2010, 13:44
Ooo, not got any Milton etc, but will bake the jars and get OH to get the milton, thank you :)
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: Livinhope on August 23, 2010, 15:37
I put mine through the dishwasher then into the oven, on the lowest temp, for about 20 minutes.  Probably cheaper the using commercial products.
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: rainbow1 on August 27, 2010, 20:43
Perhaps a silly question but I'm a preserving beginner. When you've heated your jars in the oven do you let them cool at all before you fill them?

I made my first batch of chutney ever a few weeks ago but the first spoonful of chutney made my first jar crack. I don't know if:
jar too hot (can't remember what temp oven - I just guessed!)
 or
chutney to hot
 or
I was just unlucky!

Any thoughts? Thanks
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: Poolfield2 on August 27, 2010, 21:02
Yep the jars were too hot, 100C is hot enough.
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: mumofstig on August 27, 2010, 21:04
I had this happen once when I let the jars get too hot....you only need gas 1 as Val says above.
chutney goes in when it's hot, before the jars cool down, and sterilised lids are also screwed down while it is all hot..so mind your fingers :ohmy:

snap poolfield :lol:
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: rainbow1 on August 27, 2010, 21:27
thanks folks - will pay more attention to the detail next time - guesswork not always such a good idea!
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: CZ Silhouette on September 14, 2010, 18:28
I use Milton tablets for jars & lids. Then dry jars in oven.

Milton tablets are also excellent for cleaning out the stains from your mugs/cups.
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: Andyroo on September 27, 2010, 21:40
Hello everyone..
I am a newcomer to this site. I have been looking at it for a few weeks  and decided to join the chat section as I have  something to add to one of the topics.

I love making pasta sauces from my crop of tomatoes. I have grown F1 Inca this year which is a plum variety. Despite a fair amount of loss through blight I have completed  20 jars of sauce so far.

In repy to the subject , preparation of jars, here is my method.

I keep any jar that has the pop up seal, ie jam jars , pasta and curry sauce jars.
I clean them after they have been used and store until autumn.

Once I have got my sauce or chutney cooking away I put my jars into the dishwasher.
It is good to time it so that the sauce is ready at the same time the dishwash cycle is complete and the contents still hot.

Remove the jars from the dishwasher and fill with sauce or chutney etc.
Immediately put on the lids and twist shut.   As the contents cool a vacuum will be created causing the pop ups to pop down, thus rendering the jar air tight.

I have used this method for about 5 years and find it works well. Only once have I opened a jar and found mould on top of the contents.

Hope this is of use to someone   
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: Dirt Diver on September 28, 2010, 11:17
Hi

I'm confused - I always wait till chutney is cool before I close the kilners jars, should I be closing when chutney is still HOT.
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: Andyroo on September 28, 2010, 14:17
Maybe it is OK to wait until chutney is cool before putting in jars. The high vinegar and sugar content will act as a preservative.

Therefore it is probably not so important to ensure the jars are airtight
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: Dirt Diver on September 28, 2010, 15:21
Maybe it is OK to wait until chutney is cool before putting in jars. The high vinegar and sugar content will act as a preservative.

Therefore it is probably not so important to ensure the jars are airtight

Thanks for the help I was concerned. I did once close one when it was still warm and got condensation on the lid. Would it have been OK to leave it?
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: Yorkie on September 28, 2010, 22:09
I shut my chutney jars whilst still hot and got the condensation - don't think it caused any problems.
Title: Re: How do you prepare jars for chutney/pickling?
Post by: Dirt Diver on September 29, 2010, 11:10
I shut my chutney jars whilst still hot and got the condensation - don't think it caused any problems.

Thanks Yorkie for your help, I closed the Mango Churney late last night without concern.