fluffyknickers Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I got a super maslin pan on Ebay last season - reasonable price & does a good job too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
