How to Sterilise

[Penji]

How does everyone sterilise?  I don't like boiling large amounts of water full of jars because its such a waste, I don't like using the Microwave, (don't really trust them), so I am looking to get a Baby Steriliser, has anyone got any suggestions?

[Chrissy]

I had a baby steriliser but it didn't fit much in it in terms of large jars and always left them with a residue. I wash in hot soapy water and then rinse in hot water. Then I preheat the oven too 100 Degrees C and put them in there for 2hours, lids and all. I then put the lids on them and they are ready to go when I need them.

[Penji]

Thanks for that Chrissy, that saved me wasting money on a Baby Steriliser, and I like the fact they are ready to go when you need them, I will use the saved money to buy more jars, so glad I posted this, thanks again.

[SoBlessed]

I just made apricot jam today & I sterilised my jars in the oven too. It was really easy, & the jars were warm when I filled them with the hot jam, so I wasn't worried about them cracking.

[Chrissy]

Actually just thinking about it, you could sterilise in the Varoma too if the jars are small enough. I'd go 1L water on Varoma temp on   for maybe 30mins and all should be good. I think Haven't tried it but it should be just like a baby steriliser.

[meganjane]

You only need to pop in the oven until they're dry. Also, you can just pour boiling water all over your sink and then fill with water and a Milton tablet. Pop your jars in for 10 minutes and then air dry with a cloth over the top.

This is the way it was done for our cheese making.

Another method we used was to bring a stockpot of water to the boil, dip jars in with tongs for 3 seconds, remove and allow to air dry.

[cookie1]

Thanks for the different ways of sterilising MJ. I usually use the oven or if it's too hot the microwave.

[hools003]

Can anyone tell me why two of my jars cracked when I poured hot tomato relish and chilli tomato jam into them? The jars had just come out of the oven so they were hot!!! I made strawberry jam yesterday and that was fine.

[Merlin]

I know this sounds slack, but I always sterilise my jars in the dishwasher, including the lids. I make lots of jam, preserves etc and have never had any problems with the sterility of the jars after the dishwasher. i try to coordinate the TM finishing the jam with the dishwasher finishing the drying cycle so that the jars are hot ie straight out of the dishwasher when I fill them.

[cookie1]

CAn't help you hools003. I have had that happen once. I thought I may have over used that jar over the years.

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

Another method we used was to bring a stockpot of water to the boil, dip jars in with tongs for 3 seconds, remove and allow to air dry.

You have to be super careful if you use this method. The jars are very hard to completely empty before pulling out (some boiling water usually remains) and on an angle the water can run up your arm and scold you in an instant.

I use the oven method and do my metal lids and jars in there. I would like to give the dishwasher method a try soon though.