[n.b83]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking this year that I might try making my own jam, so I have been having a read on the subject and found that everyone seems to use 'Jam Pans'.

I have found these for sale on the internet but I was woundering if I needed a 'Jam Pan' or could I just use a normal pan?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Tanks Neil

[HLS]

I haven't made jam without a jam pan (yet) but I think the main difference is size.  The other thing a jam pan has is a handle over the top and a spout, to make pouring easier.

I would think you could use any reasonably sturdy saucepan, but only make small quantities so that it doesn't splash out of the top, and be very careful when pouring!

[mumofstig]

Have you got or can you scrounge a full size pressure cooker, the saucepan bit of these is big enough for jam making.
You could get 1 of these at boot fair if you're lucky, i've often seen them!

[Val H]

As already said, small quantities of jam can be made in a heavy-based saucepan or a pressure cooker, without the lid. There's a whole section on Jam Making on this site as well as loads of recipes. http://www.allotment-garden.org/allotment_foods/jams-preserve/index.php

[celjaci]

I used to have a Jam Pan, inherited from my mother but it was aluminium which I am trying to avoid.
I have recently changed to a large, heavy stainless steel pan from Ikea which does the job just as well and can be used for anything else. It doesn't pour as well but I just pour into a large jug.

[hindy]

You can make jam in some bread maker machines.

[Stripey_cat]

If you have a heavy-bottomed stock pot, that works well.  The heavy base you need, or you get hotspots and burned jam, or you bust your arm stirring.

[Moosey]

I make jam in a big stock pot!  Works fine for me 

[Beetroot queen]

I used a large pan before getting my jam pan, it works fine

I do love my jam pan, my hubby got it for me for Christmas and I was thrilled the only down point is they banned me from making jam on Christmas day 

[sunshineband]

You can make small quantities of jam in the microwave - I use a large glass bowl. Great when you don't have much fruit or want to try out a new recipe

[Nikkithefoot]

One point to remember is regardless of the size pan, you should make sure that the cold ingredients don't come more than a third up the inside of the pan. This will prevent boiling over as jam greatly increases in volume when boiling.

[sunshineband]

A point worth remembering with microwave jam as it boils up real quick 

[Stripey_cat]

A good trick is to blow (hard) on the jam if it's rising up.  As you take it off the heat, of course, or you'll run out of air.

[sunshineband]

Blimey, the way microwave jam bubbles up, I'm impressed by your lung power, Stripey Cat   

[Stripey_cat]

I've never tried microwave jam - I was thinking about when a pan on the hob gets away from you.  Blow and stir, and pull it off the heat, and you'll keep the foam under enough control that it'll stay in the pan.  And yes, I have good breath control (basically years of being told "no, you're not asthmatic" while still swimming, singing and playing woodwind has given me astonishing lung control when I'm not actually losing consciousness in an asthma attack), but that's something you can train.