How To Sterilize Jars And Lids

Make sure the dishwasher is empty and clean.

How to sterilize jars and lids. Place the jars and bottles in the microwave and heat on full power for 60 seconds. A step-by-step guide is always a useful cheat sheet to have but all you really need are your jars a lid magnet tongs and a pot of boiling water. The directions for how to can pears and other produce includes information on the importance of sterilization.

These cannot be reused no matter how well. After the 10 minutes use the tongs to remove the lids and rings from the boiling water and allow them to cool on a clean tea towel before touching them. Its best to shake bottles out than place them on their sides.

How to sterilize mason jars lids. Remove the lids and seals as before and then place the jars in a large pan. Run the dishwasher on a cycle that coincides with your jam being ready.

Check the preserving jars and lids for any nicks cracks or sharp and uneven edges. Fill dishwasher with clean cold jars and place on a rinse wash at a high temperature. To avoid bacterial contamination of your preserves it is obviously necessary to sterilize new caps and lids or replace the old ones including the rubber gaskets to guarantee the jars a perfect hermetic seal.

Now most sources I have seen have suggested immersing the jars and lids in boiling water. Keep the door shut fill hot jars with hot liquid one at a time removing from the washer with a tea towel or oven mitt. Fill the pan with water to about half and let the liquid boil.

Place the dry jars down the top. Remove lids and seals. I still use boiling water on the lids which then have to sit until they are dry.