[hamstergbert]

used to use a cut down plastic water bottle as a jam funnel but nowadays I just sterilise a big pyrex jug and  my ladle and ladle from jampan into jug then pour from that.  Seems to work.

Fancy bits are available from the jamjarshop.com but pricey for some things.  Useful for a quick jelly bag/sheets of muslin/spice bags etc - my experience is very prompt delivery when I needed urgent replacements!

[mumofstig]

this
is what Val and I bought last year for straining jellies.

I line a colander with the muslin and it works a treat ( the collander sits over one of the free flower buckets (kept just for jelly making obviously )

I just bought a couple of metres

[Bizzi Lizzi]

There's a Lakeland shop in York so you could always try to persuade someone with a car that they want a day out ... 

I've got the Lakeland jam pan (though I got it in a sale from my local shop  that sells everything for quite a lot less  ) and it's great - but if you have a large casserole dish then it's not essential.

I treated myself to their canning set too when it was reduced - the tongs which grip the jars make it so much easier to move jars and lids around when just sterilised.  Again that's a luxury though.

One thing I wouldn't be without is the jam funnel.  It makes it soooo much easier to get stuff into jars without having to wipe off the spilt stickiness from the outside afterwards 

Taxi to York anyone?!!!!

[Bizzi Lizzi]

Instead of stressing about buying a jam pan why don't you just borrow mine?   

The funnel too!

[kevinp]

The amazon pan is now £24.00 which is a bit of a bargain I think, but get yourself to wilkingsons and they have a large stew type saucepan which is huge for £7.00, as some one else has said buy a plastic funnel and cut the spout off also buy that and your wooden spoons in wilko's you should be able to get it all plus labels and wax discs for £10.00. In time you can then change to a better pan if you feel you need to.

[Jamie Butterworth]

Instead of stressing about buying a jam pan why don't you just borrow mine?   

The funnel too!

Thanks liz

The amazon pan is now £24.00 which is a bit of a bargain I think, but get yourself to wilkingsons and they have a large stew type saucepan which is huge for £7.00, as some one else has said buy a plastic funnel and cut the spout off also buy that and your wooden spoons in wilko's you should be able to get it all plus labels and wax discs for £10.00. In time you can then change to a better pan if you feel you need to.

Thats a good idea, ill have a look in wilkos this weekend then

[CZ Silhouette]

this
is what Val and I bought last year for straining jellies.

Thanks for posting that mumof.
Just what I was after as my local fabric shop never had any in stock. Thought I recognised the seller then realised that I had bought from them before.

Jamie if you find you get on with making jams & preserves, I would then recommend getting a maslin pan & funnel you wont regret it. I invested in them the other month after using saucepans & jugs etc for years. I would not be without the proper equipment now. The jams & chutney take less time in the pan than they would in a saucepan & I think taste the better for it. I now find making jams & preserves a real pleasure. You might even find it a bit addictive.
 

[Brambles]

I have a lot of VERY old Kilner jars, they must be about 50 years old, they belonged to my Mother in Law.   It is getting impossible to get the seals for them now, but I found some lids with integrated seals that fit perfectly.   www.jamjarshop.com were most helpful both online and on the telephone.. They are worth looking at their web site and I would definitely recommend them... Goods well packaged and delivery very fast.

[Bizzi Lizzi]

My Nan always taught me to buy the best of anything that you could afford.  At the end of the day, you generally get what you pay for.

Sorry to anyone that disagrees but it's advice that I've stuck to and has paid me back many times.

[mumofstig]

lovely thought if you can afford the best

I bet your Nan also told you ...make do and mend

[Bizzi Lizzi]

lovely thought if you can afford the best

I bet your Nan also told you ...make do and mend

Buy the best you can afford  

Yes, she did, but if you don't have anything suitable to start with ...

[Aunt Sally]

I've always believed in a mixture of both views.

It also depends on how long I want things to last.

[Bizzi Lizzi]

I've always believed in a mixture of both views.

It also depends on how long I want things to last.

Have to agree Aunt Sally particularly about the last bit.

[mumofstig]

and how much you will actually use them, I think

We must all have fallen for the latest gadgets at some time, you know the ones ...........    

[Aunt Sally]

and how much you will actually use them, I think

That too Mum.

We must all have fallen for the latest gadgets at some time, you know the ones ...........   

Have you been looking in my cupboards  ?