[dazmcg]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has any recomendations for bulk buying some ingredients/tools?

The main costs I have found in canning have been the vinegar, jars, unbleached/unrefined sugar and equipment.

This place sells 6% and 9% cider vinegar in 25L containers, and got an estimated quote for 75L of about 75quid + 25 delivery (min 60quid order, hence the amount):
http://www.ellsey.co.uk/index.asp

http://www.cookability.biz/home-discovery-preserving-jars/b_697.htm
This is the place I have been able to find canning jars, seem well expensive considering "Ball Mason" jars in the USA are 1/3 the cost.
1L jar costs 1.70, half L costs 1.40.  And I'm still not sure if these are certified for pressure canning.

Have found this place for herbs/etc:
http://www.spiceworld.uk.com/pdf_pricelist_info.php?osCsid=acgggolklbipke25gpoi8dd1b2

And any other places to bulk buy (organic?) herbs/seeds (for cooking) and the various equipment used in pickling/canning (eg, pressure canning cookers, etc) much appreciated as it seems there's VERY little available online!! And hard to come by! In the USA, you find canning equiptment in practically any hardware shop/supermarket!

I'm in London btw if that helps in terms of places that might sell this kind of stuff.  

Many thanks! daz

[kezlou]

I'm currently trying to find a wholesaler selling white vinegar for pickling but no luck so far as yet :?

But herbs, seed and spices all Asian and International food stores will sell them in bulk for cheap or a reasonable price.
£2.79 for 5 Litres of malt vinegar
£2.50 for 2 kilos of coriander seeds, cumin seeds well any seed is about that price. The more you buy the cheaper it is.
I once paid £8 for 25 kilos of rice, im into the last kilo now.
Jars i used recycled ones from the supermarket just rinse and sterilise them. Buy some electricians tape (6 for£1 - yep the pound shop) and wrap it round the top. I did this method with pickled eggs worked a treat.

Hope that helps, if not i'm sure someone with more eknowledge will be on soon.

[GrannieAnnie]

We get our white vinegar from Bookers cash and carry.  5litres for £2 odd.  I know bookers is supposed to be for trade, but just print yourself out some headed paper and tell them you're a caterer!!!!

[Ice]

We get our white vinegar from Bookers cash and carry.  5litres for £2 odd.  I know bookers is supposed to be for trade, but just print yourself out some headed paper and tell them you're a caterer!!!!

GA.  That is underhand, devious and absolutely brilliant.

[SnooziSuzi]

for the bottles and jars you could do much worse than Ikea

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/40065867
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/50108908

[mashauk]

ASDA's own label malt vinegar is 14p for 500ml.