Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[stehaggan]

I went fruit picking the other day and made some rather large jars of Jam and gave them away. We have kept some ourselves and it really is very nice (this is our first time jam making).

 

The strawberrys are finishing within the next week or 2 so i want to go and pick some more, and raspberrys and tayberrys so i can make some smaller jars for presents and i think they will keep longer rather than having a huge Jar open.

 

As I am new to this, could anyone give some advice of where to get Jam Jars from, what wax seals I will need for jams etc? I have googled for a shop near manchester that sells this sort of stuff and I can't find anything

[chickencam]

Lakeland sell jam jars and there are loads on the internet, but I would just ask round family and friends for used ones, that way you will get loads of different shapes and sizes and you can jazz them up with fabric covers for the lids and some ribbon.

 

Make sure that you use ones with good screw tops that will seal well, and wash them in warm water and dry in the oven at about 140 C for about 10 minutes. Put the jam into the jars while it and they are hot, a pyrex jug is useful for this as is a jam funnel if you can get one. I don't bother these days I just use a jug.

 

Put a wax seal on the surface of the hot jam and seal immediately that way you will not get any condensation, which is what causes mould, and the jars and lids will contract as they cool giving you an airtight seal.

 

It is worth trying a few mixed fruit jams too, cherry and raspberry is lovely as are redcurrants mixed with other fruits, they do have quite a few seeds though, but are full of pectin and help the jam set. I have made raspberry and recurrant and have sieved the fruit after cooking and before adding the sugar and I have made it with the seeds too, both are delicious. Gooseberry and strawberry is nice too add about 1 part gooseberry to 4 part strawberry, and cook the gooseberries down briefly before adding the strawberries.

[Lesley]

I order jamjars from http://www.jamjarshop.com/

 

Very prompt delivery.

[Lavenders_Blue]

Jam Jar Shop are just down the road from me

And I agree, they're brill. Got lots of inexpensive bits and bobs there when I made Christmas hampers.

[Christian]

I use http://www.ascott-dairy.co.uk/ (scroll down to 'farm house kitchen') as I buy lots of jars and their P&P is very reasonable. Ordered 84 8oz jars yesterday and they should be here today. (Only £6 delivery).

 

I don't bother with wax discs unless I am making strawberry jam. If the jam and jar is hot enough, you shouldn't need a disc if using a screw on lid IMO. If using cellophane and a rubber band, then I would use a wax disc.

 

I love my jam thermometer and also my jam funnel. It does make things easier, but you can manage without. Put a few saucers in the fridge to test if you jam is ready and you don't need the thermometer.

 

Happy jam making!

[stehaggan]

I have since made some Jams in rather large jars, but I want to make some more and some caramelised onion chutney, what size jars would anyone recommend before i buy? thanks

[Tara.F]

I never buy new jars, just wash and save used ones.

I find that coffee jars are best for pickling. They have 'shoulders' that help keep the food submerged and plastic lids that don't corrode. (I use cellophane circles underneath).

For gifts I use sharwoods sauce jars which are really quite pretty when the label is removed.

When I need a really big jar (for sloe gin for example) I ask in my local chip shop for a pickled egg jar!

[The Dogmother]

I have found Freeman and Harding to be the cheapest, their P&P is good and delivery in a couple of days.

[stehaggan]

I have finally just ordered my Jam Jars 96 7oz ones

 

few too many? hehe Well I will be making onion jam when i return from my holiday I think. Any other nice easy recipe for a beginner will be appreciated. I have only ever made raspberry, strawberry and tayberry but want to try some different ones out.