Canning Stuff.

[California]

Canning is cheaper than store bought IF you grow the veggies or get them free.

... and if people return jars!

I can several dozen half-pint jars of wild blackberry jam every year for Christmas presents, for dinner parties, and for my adult kids to give to people when they host them here. (as well as for our own use of course).

I accumulated a lot of jars back when the thrift stores priced a dozen box of used ones, with lids, as low as $2.99/dozen. Over the years that source dried up, and I've had to start buying new jars each year. Now I see $18.49/dozen, locally. Amazon is even higher.


I've learned I can re-use the discs indefinitely, after inspecting to discard obvious faults. I average less than one fail-to-seal per year. A failed one can go in the refrigerator for immediate family use.

And the jam tastes amazing.

 

[Jstpssng]

... and if people return jars!

I can several dozen half-pint jars of wild blackberry jam every year for Christmas presents, for dinner parties, and for my adult kids to give to people when they host them here. (as well as for our own use of course).

I accumulated a lot of jars back when the thrift stores priced a dozen box of used ones, with lids, as low as $2.99/dozen. Over the years that source dried up, and I've had to start buying new jars each year. Now I see $18.49/dozen, locally. Amazon is even higher.


I've learned I can re-use the discs indefinitely, after inspecting to discard obvious faults. I average less than one fail-to-seal per year. A failed one can go in the refrigerator for immediate family use.

And the jam tastes amazing.

I was taught to return the jars, but not empty. That worked well for a time, but it's been a while since I've boiled maple syrup.

Reusing the lids is fine for things like jellies and jams, which have so much sugar there's little risk of spoilage. (When I started making preserves, pouring liquid wax over the top for a sealant was still acceptable.) For other products it's a bit risky. Yet if the top snaps down as the jar cools, you should be good to go.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

What kind of hotdogs are $2.49/lb? The really naasty cheap skinless ones in the vacuum sealed packages? Yuck! Not quite as expensive here as Jstpssng saw, but decent natural casing ones like Schonlands are $6.99.
Closer to $2 for the chili, at least the name brands like Hormel or Wolf.

Foster Farms, probably not available in your area. They are quality low fat franks.

If you like Hormel or Wolf, good for you. I don't.

 

[California]

I was taught to return the jars, but not empty.

Reusing the lids is fine for things like jellies and jams, which have so much sugar there's little risk of spoilage.

I wish someone would return a jar with something in it!

But better yet the two women across the lane give us an occasional bottle of their superb Pinoit Noir wine they grow, then crush and bottle in their driveway right there. We give them all the jam they can eat! Comparable wine from the winery nearest us averages $112/bottle at auction. The guy who harvests my orchard also grows grapes for that nearby winery. People tell me I should replace the apple orchard with a vineyard but I like the orchard better, its like living in a park, not a sterile ag factory.

Yeah sugar. I tried a low-sugar jam recipe. Bad choice. It would grow green fuzz after two weeks in the refrigerator after it was open. Never again.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I wish someone would return a jar with something in it!

But better yet the two women across the lane give us an occasional bottle of their superb Pinoit Noir wine they grow, then crush and bottle in their driveway right there. We give them all the jam they can eat! Comparable wine from the winery nearest us averages $112/bottle at auction. The guy who harvests my orchard also grows grapes for that nearby winery. People tell me I should replace the apple orchard with a vineyard but I like the orchard better, its like living in a park, not a sterile ag factory.

Yeah sugar. I tried a low-sugar jam recipe. Bad choice. It would grow green fuzz after two weeks in the refrigerator after it was open. Never again.

See if the ladies will part with some of the grape juice. Pinot puts grape jelly right back on the front of the shelf. I knew a woman who planted a 350 acre vineyard. She was my mom's best friend, and every year she made pinot noir jelly.

 

[ponytug]

Gosh the few times that I have had Pinot noir grape juice, or Cabernet grape juice, was just amazing. One sip and you can taste why it turns into amazing wine in the right hands.

I have to admit that it would be worth a lot for Pinot noir grape jam...hmmm might be worth planting a few vines.

Yum!

All the best,

Peter