4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[fluffyknickers]

To date I have only ever made jam in my breadmaker (it has a jam making function) but now I have the river cottage book and want to make jams and chutneys.

 

However...I dont have a preserving pan and wondered if you really do need one or that any pan will do?

 

I dont mind buying one if its a 'must' as it will get used but though I would check first as they are around £40.

 

Thanks

 

Michelle

 

PS been looking at the Tefal Jam maker. MUST NOT BUY ANYMORE GADGETS

[Chook n Boo Mum]

I use my pressure cooker (domestic or ex-Army issue - yes I have an ex-Army PC - very useful for jams & chutneys!) or le Creuset casserole pan, anything with a fairly heavy bottom should be ok provided it's deep enough to deal with a bubbling mass of very very very hot goo without covering the cooker and everything else in spitting distance!

 

I also have my mum's maslin pan on more or less permanent loan.... lots of choice in my kitchen - no room for anything else though!

 

Sha x

[Lesley]

As sha says, you can use any pan as long as it is large enough to take double the amount you are cooking so that it doesn't all boil over when a rolling boil is reached...........and as long as it has a solid base.

 

A good maslin pan is well worth the expense though - I have the Lakeland one now as my old one was looking rather the worse for wear.

[The Dogmother]

I have a Lakeland one the same as Lesley's and an enormous 'family' one for bigger batches.

 

They seem to work better than regular pans and besides, you need the size.

[Guest]

I used the breakmaker....then a saucepan and then I got a jam pan from freecycle!

 

It is much better - don't fancy that tefal one though, would really just be like using the breadmaker!

[craftyhunnypie]

I have the Tefal jam maker for jams, marmalades & jellies - excellent! But for pickles & chutneys I use a large stock pot bought from Ikea. The thing I would invest in first is a jam thermometor. I got mine from lakeland, also the jam funnel is useful for filling jars.

 

I make my pickles, chutneys, picalilli outside on a camp stove as the vinegar stinks the house out! he he.

Love the smell of jam bubbling away though. MMmmmmmmm

 

Emma.x

[fluffyknickers]

Thanks everyone. I have cheekily put a wanted ad on freecycle in the hope someone is getting rid of one - no joy yet though.

 

Will have a look at lakeland again and see whats what.

 

Cant wait to get jamming, pickling and preserving!

 

Michelle

[Mrs Frugal]

For years, I used a large enamel stockpot from John Lewis. It was tall enough to prevent the jams and jellies erupting Vesuvius-like over the rim and heavy enough to take the heat too. I got my first maslin pan from a car boot sale for pennies so if you have any boot sales nearby, it's always worth a look. I now have the Lakeland one too (a Christmas prezzie a couple of years ago) and it's smashing.

[Cinnamon]

I got a super maslin pan on Ebay last season - reasonable price & does a good job too

[Christian]

I swear by my Jam pan. It has a handle on top and on the side, plus a 'spout' for pouring. Much easier than my old saucepan