How to Buy Canning Jars
Canning your own food allows you to keep it longer, makes it easier to use than freezing, and gives you control over what goes in it. Successful canning begins with choosing the right canning jars. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Selecting size
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1
Decide what size of jars you will need. Quarts, pints and half pints are the most common sizes. Think about how many people you will be feeding with what you are canning and how much they eat. For gifts, such as jams and jellies, you may want to use half-pints. For soup for a family, you will probably want to use quarts. You also need to consider the size of your pressure cooker and how much you want to can. Make sure the jars you buy will fit in your pressure cooker.
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2
Determine what size mouth you want for your jars. Wide-mouth jars work best for large chunks of fruit or meat. Small-mouth jars are less expensive and work well for jams and jellies, syrups and sauces---foods that need to be poured.
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3
Go to a store that carries canning supplies, such as a discount store or kitchen supply store. Look in the baking aisle or seasonal aisle for canning supplies. Some stores carry canning jars only in the summer and fall. Since they are seasonal items, you may have to ask for help to find the canning section. Find the jars you are looking for, both size-wise and with the mouth you want. They are usually sold by the dozen.
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4
Look at thrift stores, in classified ads and yard sales for used canning jars. You can reuse canning jars for years, as long as the top edges aren't chipped and there are no cracks.
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Tips & Warnings
Many people re-use jars, such as mayonnaise jars, for canning. This is not a good idea, as canning jars are heavier than retail jars and can survive the pressure required for canning most things.
