[Livinhope]

but, having prepared mixed veg yesterday and potted them into the jars of vinegar this morning and having filled the jars fully with both veg and vinegar, I now find that the veg is rising to the top and leaving a largish gap in the vinegar at the bottom.  Does this matter and if so how do I keep the veg down? 

[Springlands]

Should not do any harm - usually find that happens as the veggies settle. There used to be small plastic discs available from Lakeland that you could place on top of pickles so that when you put the lid on it pressed the veggies down rather than them rising to the top. Used them one year but decided not really not worth while. 

[Livinhope]

Well, thank you for that, I did wonder whether it would affect the veggies.

[catllar]

Friend of mine used a piece of wadged-up tinfoil to keep her pickles in place!

[mumofstig]

Friend of mine used a piece of wadged-up tinfoil to keep her pickles in place!

I'm sure that would alter the taste after a while, and don't think it is a good idea.

The advice I got was to really cram the veg in and fill with vinegar right to the top, most lids are plastic lined nowadays to withstand contact with the vinegar

[Val H]

I was sent a a Home Starter-Kit for Viscodisk to trial. http://www.viscodisc.com/framset%202.html
Works a treat but I don't think they are yet available in the UK.

[Val H]

Just discovered that they are now. http://www.jamjarshop.com/buy/viscodiscs53/

[Livinhope]

Friend of mine used a piece of wadged-up tinfoil to keep her pickles in place!

I'm sure that would alter the taste after a while, and don't think it is a good idea.

The advice I got was to really cram the veg in and fill with vinegar right to the top, most lids are plastic lined nowadays to withstand contact with the vinegar

I crammed the jars full and thought the veg was tight enough not to move but it strangely seems to have shrunk   and floated upwards.  I did think about screwing up grease proof paper and wedging into the top.  I would not be inclined to use tinfoil, vinegar tends to have an adverse effect after a while.

[Livinhope]

Just discovered that they are now. http://www.jamjarshop.com/buy/viscodiscs53/

Thanks Val, just ordered a pack of 10.

[catllar]

Friend of mine used a piece of wadged-up tinfoil to keep her pickles in place!

I'm sure that would alter the taste after a while, and don't think it is a good idea.

I didn't say it was the right thing to do, just that's what she did! I guess greaseproof would do the same job?