Hi All,

I've canned jam off and on before but this year I decided to go for it,
and
so far I've put up 6 batches of blackberry. I pick the blackberries for
free
(we have tons of wild ones around here) and seive them to remove the seeds,
then do the usual boiling water canner method in a large stock pot.

My question is in the jars. When I started canning this summer I had been
going round to the various Goodwill stores and finding a variety of Mason
jars,
they sell them for 29 cents for the small ones, (generally up to 12 oz) and
49
cents for the large ones. I had a stock of these built up and I went
through that
after the first couple batches. Then, I switched to using the large 32 oz
Classico
spagetti sauce Mason jars. (for those that don't know, Classico uses real
Mason jars for their product, the tops of the jars and threads are the
correct
threads and size for standard Mason rings and lids) But, that's a pretty
big
jar for a jam jar and I'd rather use something smaller.

What I'm wondering is what manufacturers pack their products in Mason
jars, or at least, jars that are compatible size and threadwise with real
Mason jars. Pickle jars have the right mouth, but the threads are not
right.
Peanut Butter jars have the right threads, but the mouths are too big. I've
heard tell that at one time Mayonnaise jars would work - but the Mayonaise
manufacturers seem to all have switched to plastic.

Yes, I know I can just go to the store and buy Mason jars - but the
problem is that this costs money. The Classico Mason jars are free since
our family already buys Classico spaghetti sauce (we prefer the taste)
And with Goodwill, you can go to their Goodwill outlet stores and buy
glassware for 29 cents a pound or you can go to their retail stores and
buy the jars individually (if you can find them)

I did score 12 Mason jars off craigslist for $2 as well, but I'd really
prefer free. We have curbside recycling here, and on Friday evening
everyone sets out their recycling in yellow bins, and there's already a
number of bums that wander around the neighborhoods looking for
returnable aluminum cans, one more bum looking for certain glass jars
(me) wouldn't be noticed.

And before the preaching starts, yes I have plenty of money and could
afford to buy whatever jars I wanted - but part of the fun of it is getting
jars of yummy jam for free - minus the electricity to run the stovetop
and dishwasher, the cost of the sugar and pectin, etc. etc. Seriously,
folks, I've done the math already and to can jam, even when the berries
are free, is more expensive than just buying it from the store. This is
more of the principle of the thing, thing, plus the fact that the store
bought
jam tastes terrible compared to home-canned.

Ted

Did you try Freecycle ?

On Fri, 22 Sep 2006 02:13:17 -0700, "Ted Mittelstaedt"
wrote:

Hi All,

I've canned jam off and on before but this year I decided to go for it,
and
so far I've put up 6 batches of blackberry. I pick the blackberries for
free
(we have tons of wild ones around here) and seive them to remove the seeds,
then do the usual boiling water canner method in a large stock pot.

My question is in the jars. When I started canning this summer I had been
going round to the various Goodwill stores and finding a variety of Mason
jars,
they sell them for 29 cents for the small ones, (generally up to 12 oz) and
49
cents for the large ones. I had a stock of these built up and I went
through that
after the first couple batches. Then, I switched to using the large 32 oz
Classico
spagetti sauce Mason jars. (for those that don't know, Classico uses real
Mason jars for their product, the tops of the jars and threads are the
correct
threads and size for standard Mason rings and lids) But, that's a pretty
big
jar for a jam jar and I'd rather use something smaller.

What I'm wondering is what manufacturers pack their products in Mason
jars, or at least, jars that are compatible size and threadwise with real
Mason jars. Pickle jars have the right mouth, but the threads are not
right.
Peanut Butter jars have the right threads, but the mouths are too big. I've
heard tell that at one time Mayonnaise jars would work - but the Mayonaise
manufacturers seem to all have switched to plastic.

Yes, I know I can just go to the store and buy Mason jars - but the
problem is that this costs money. The Classico Mason jars are free since
our family already buys Classico spaghetti sauce (we prefer the taste)
And with Goodwill, you can go to their Goodwill outlet stores and buy
glassware for 29 cents a pound or you can go to their retail stores and
buy the jars individually (if you can find them)

I did score 12 Mason jars off craigslist for $2 as well, but I'd really
prefer free. We have curbside recycling here, and on Friday evening
everyone sets out their recycling in yellow bins, and there's already a
number of bums that wander around the neighborhoods looking for
returnable aluminum cans, one more bum looking for certain glass jars
(me) wouldn't be noticed.

And before the preaching starts, yes I have plenty of money and could
afford to buy whatever jars I wanted - but part of the fun of it is getting
jars of yummy jam for free - minus the electricity to run the stovetop
and dishwasher, the cost of the sugar and pectin, etc. etc. Seriously,
folks, I've done the math already and to can jam, even when the berries
are free, is more expensive than just buying it from the store. This is
more of the principle of the thing, thing, plus the fact that the store
bought
jam tastes terrible compared to home-canned.

Ted

Have you actually priced a box of mason jars. The new box comes with
lids and rings. $.30 and $.50 each plus lids and rings comes very
close to what you would pay for a box.

I am all for finding jars at Goodwill type places and yard sales. I
do it all the time, but if they are going to cost me almost as much as
new ones, why bother. The cases I got for free were worth emptying
and cleaning.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974

The Cook wrote:
Have you actually priced a box of mason jars. The new box comes with
lids and rings. $.30 and $.50 each plus lids and rings comes very
close to what you would pay for a box.

I am all for finding jars at Goodwill type places and yard sales. I
do it all the time, but if they are going to cost me almost as much as
new ones, why bother. The cases I got for free were worth emptying
and cleaning.

If you can get them. Mason jars, or anything useable for home canning is
simply not sold in this country. The closest thing is those wire bale
jars used for storing pasta in fancy kitchens, but they are not heat proof
nor do they seal well.

The only ones I have seen here were brought in by people from the U.S. who
accidently had them in their belongings. None of them were willing to
part with any. :-(

I used to collect Hellman's mayo jars for refrigerator pickles, but now
it comes in plastic jars so thin they melt in my dishwasher.

Geoff.

--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM
IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667 Fax ONLY: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838
Visit my 'blog at http://geoffstechno.livejournal.com/

I've used other than mason jars before (though I do so only in a pinch). As
long as they are "true" pints or "true quarts" and the glass isn't thin they
work fine for me. But I definitely wouldn't use them more than once in
processing.

Cheryl

Classico also comes in "pint"-sized jars, which are a fine size for
jam/jelly.

Note that Classico "pints" and "quarts" are actually a couple of ounces shy
of those sizes. Doesn't make a difference for processing times, though.

Yard sales and church rummage sales have been fruitful for me, as well.

Dave

"Ted Mittelstaedt" wrote in message
...
after the first couple batches. Then, I switched to using the large 32 oz
Classico
spagetti sauce Mason jars. (for those that don't know, Classico uses real
Mason jars for their product, the tops of the jars and threads are the
correct
threads and size for standard Mason rings and lids) But, that's a pretty
big
jar for a jam jar and I'd rather use something smaller.

For personal consumption within a year I fill old jam jars and keep it
in the 'fridge. They usually seal well and when opened release a
vaccum. I could propable store them without the refridgeration. Only
problem is they are 3 cups and take a while for me to consume. By the
tiime I get to the tend of one I'm looking forward to a new flavour.

For the surplus to store longer and to give away I use jelly jars
bought, as already suggested, at church basement rummage sales and
community garage sales. Prices vary but 25 cents each seems to be a
standard. I've got them as low as 5 cents buying a whole cartons of
mixed sizes at a time. I find people how are selling jars they bought
for their own use want to recoup much of the cost while people seling
jars they got free for a rummage sale are more flexible in the pricing.
This is the rigth time of year, after Labour Day, for these sales. Also
in late spring. They are listed in the classified section of the
newspaper. I enjoy looking for bargains at both kinds of sales, not
just for preserving, but all of my preserving pots and paraphenalia do
come from these sales.

The glass doesn't wear out but the screw rings and seals to. I don't
worry about the screw rings because they never come into contact with
the contents although appearances are important for giving jelly away.
The seals have to be clean and seal well. In this area new seals are
$1.50 a dozen at the supermarket or $1.00 a dozen at the Dollar Store
(same Bellardin(?) branded product) so you can saver a little there.

"John LaBella" wrote in message
. ..
Did you try Freecycle ?

Freecycle!! Been there - done that - way cool!!!

Kathi

"The Cook" wrote in message
...

Have you actually priced a box of mason jars. The new box comes with
lids and rings. $.30 and $.50 each plus lids and rings comes very
close to what you would pay for a box.


I think you missed where I said:

"...but I'd really prefer free...."

I am all for finding jars at Goodwill type places and yard sales. I
do it all the time, but if they are going to cost me almost as much as
new ones, why bother. The cases I got for free were worth emptying
and cleaning.

Right, exactly. Free. Free is the operative word here.

Please make some suggestions. As I already mentioned the
Classico spaghetti sauce comes in Mason jars that can be used
for home canning. Are you aware of any other commercial food
products that come in jars that will fit a standard or widemouth
Mason jar lid and ring?

Ted

"clc" wrote in message
...
I've used other than mason jars before (though I do so only in a pinch).
As
long as they are "true" pints or "true quarts" and the glass isn't thin
they
work fine for me. But I definitely wouldn't use them more than once in
processing.


Cheryl, actually you shouldn't be worried about this. The temper in
commercial
jars is different than Mason jars. In commercial jars they are expected to
be
banged around during shipping and the manufacturers make the glass a bit
more forgiving. With Mason jars, they are tempered so that if the jar is
cold
and you drop boiling food into it, the jar will resist cracking better.
However,
the downside is when the Mason jar is hot, it's very fragile - if you bang
it into
anything hard (like another jar) it will crack.

The only thing you have to be careful of when using commercial food jars
is that you pull the jar out of the water and immediately put the hot food
in
it, don't let the jar sit around cooling off.

Ted

On Fri, 22 Sep 2006 02:13:17 -0700, "Ted Mittelstaedt"
wrote:

Hi All,

I've canned jam off and on before but this year I decided to go for it,
and
so far I've put up 6 batches of blackberry. I pick the blackberries for
free
(we have tons of wild ones around here) and seive them to remove the seeds,
then do the usual boiling water canner method in a large stock pot.

My question is in the jars. When I started canning this summer I had been
going round to the various Goodwill stores and finding a variety of Mason
jars,
they sell them for 29 cents for the small ones, (generally up to 12 oz) and
49
cents for the large ones. I had a stock of these built up and I went
through that
after the first couple batches. Then, I switched to using the large 32 oz
Classico
spagetti sauce Mason jars. (for those that don't know, Classico uses real
Mason jars for their product, the tops of the jars and threads are the
correct
threads and size for standard Mason rings and lids) But, that's a pretty
big
jar for a jam jar and I'd rather use something smaller.

What I'm wondering is what manufacturers pack their products in Mason
jars, or at least, jars that are compatible size and threadwise with real
Mason jars. Pickle jars have the right mouth, but the threads are not
right.
Peanut Butter jars have the right threads, but the mouths are too big. I've
heard tell that at one time Mayonnaise jars would work - but the Mayonaise
manufacturers seem to all have switched to plastic.

Yes, I know I can just go to the store and buy Mason jars - but the
problem is that this costs money. The Classico Mason jars are free since
our family already buys Classico spaghetti sauce (we prefer the taste)
And with Goodwill, you can go to their Goodwill outlet stores and buy
glassware for 29 cents a pound or you can go to their retail stores and
buy the jars individually (if you can find them)

I did score 12 Mason jars off craigslist for $2 as well, but I'd really
prefer free. We have curbside recycling here, and on Friday evening
everyone sets out their recycling in yellow bins, and there's already a
number of bums that wander around the neighborhoods looking for
returnable aluminum cans, one more bum looking for certain glass jars
(me) wouldn't be noticed.

And before the preaching starts, yes I have plenty of money and could
afford to buy whatever jars I wanted - but part of the fun of it is getting
jars of yummy jam for free - minus the electricity to run the stovetop
and dishwasher, the cost of the sugar and pectin, etc. etc. Seriously,
folks, I've done the math already and to can jam, even when the berries
are free, is more expensive than just buying it from the store. This is
more of the principle of the thing, thing, plus the fact that the store
bought
jam tastes terrible compared to home-canned.

Ted



I made a small score today at a yard sale. 15 mason jars for $2. I
got 6 quarts, 2 wide mouth pints and the rest regular pints. They are
all brand names.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974

The Cook wrote:
On Fri, 22 Sep 2006 02:13:17 -0700, "Ted Mittelstaedt"
wrote:


Hi All,

I've canned jam off and on before but this year I decided to go for it,
and
so far I've put up 6 batches of blackberry. I pick the blackberries for
free
(we have tons of wild ones around here) and seive them to remove the seeds,
then do the usual boiling water canner method in a large stock pot.

My question is in the jars. When I started canning this summer I had been
going round to the various Goodwill stores and finding a variety of Mason
jars,
they sell them for 29 cents for the small ones, (generally up to 12 oz) and
49
cents for the large ones. I had a stock of these built up and I went
through that
after the first couple batches. Then, I switched to using the large 32 oz
Classico
spagetti sauce Mason jars. (for those that don't know, Classico uses real
Mason jars for their product, the tops of the jars and threads are the
correct
threads and size for standard Mason rings and lids) But, that's a pretty
big
jar for a jam jar and I'd rather use something smaller.

What I'm wondering is what manufacturers pack their products in Mason
jars, or at least, jars that are compatible size and threadwise with real
Mason jars. Pickle jars have the right mouth, but the threads are not
right.
Peanut Butter jars have the right threads, but the mouths are too big. I've
heard tell that at one time Mayonnaise jars would work - but the Mayonaise
manufacturers seem to all have switched to plastic.

Yes, I know I can just go to the store and buy Mason jars - but the
problem is that this costs money. The Classico Mason jars are free since
our family already buys Classico spaghetti sauce (we prefer the taste)
And with Goodwill, you can go to their Goodwill outlet stores and buy
glassware for 29 cents a pound or you can go to their retail stores and
buy the jars individually (if you can find them)

I did score 12 Mason jars off craigslist for $2 as well, but I'd really
prefer free. We have curbside recycling here, and on Friday evening
everyone sets out their recycling in yellow bins, and there's already a
number of bums that wander around the neighborhoods looking for
returnable aluminum cans, one more bum looking for certain glass jars
(me) wouldn't be noticed.

And before the preaching starts, yes I have plenty of money and could
afford to buy whatever jars I wanted - but part of the fun of it is getting
jars of yummy jam for free - minus the electricity to run the stovetop
and dishwasher, the cost of the sugar and pectin, etc. etc. Seriously,
folks, I've done the math already and to can jam, even when the berries
are free, is more expensive than just buying it from the store. This is
more of the principle of the thing, thing, plus the fact that the store
bought
jam tastes terrible compared to home-canned.

Ted




I made a small score today at a yard sale. 15 mason jars for $2. I
got 6 quarts, 2 wide mouth pints and the rest regular pints. They are
all brand names.

We have a local "goodwill" type store that calls me when they get in
canning jars, lids, or rings. I hot foot it down there and buy them all.
I was almost out of jars a week ago but loaded up yesterday with four
cases of pint wide mouth, brandnew, Golden Harvest, still in the sealed
cases with lids and all. Seems a local canner passed away and her
children gave all her canning stuff to Care/Help. Her presence continues
in my home pantry. I also hit garage and yard sales at least once a
month. Living in a small town seems to help.

George

On Sat, 23 Sep 2006 09:41:43 -0500, George Shirley
wrote:

The Cook wrote:
On Fri, 22 Sep 2006 02:13:17 -0700, "Ted Mittelstaedt"
wrote:


Hi All,

I've canned jam off and on before but this year I decided to go for it,
and
so far I've put up 6 batches of blackberry. I pick the blackberries for
free
(we have tons of wild ones around here) and seive them to remove the seeds,
then do the usual boiling water canner method in a large stock pot.

My question is in the jars. When I started canning this summer I had been
going round to the various Goodwill stores and finding a variety of Mason
jars,
they sell them for 29 cents for the small ones, (generally up to 12 oz) and
49
cents for the large ones. I had a stock of these built up and I went
through that
after the first couple batches. Then, I switched to using the large 32 oz
Classico
spagetti sauce Mason jars. (for those that don't know, Classico uses real
Mason jars for their product, the tops of the jars and threads are the
correct
threads and size for standard Mason rings and lids) But, that's a pretty
big
jar for a jam jar and I'd rather use something smaller.

What I'm wondering is what manufacturers pack their products in Mason
jars, or at least, jars that are compatible size and threadwise with real
Mason jars. Pickle jars have the right mouth, but the threads are not
right.
Peanut Butter jars have the right threads, but the mouths are too big. I've
heard tell that at one time Mayonnaise jars would work - but the Mayonaise
manufacturers seem to all have switched to plastic.

Yes, I know I can just go to the store and buy Mason jars - but the
problem is that this costs money. The Classico Mason jars are free since
our family already buys Classico spaghetti sauce (we prefer the taste)
And with Goodwill, you can go to their Goodwill outlet stores and buy
glassware for 29 cents a pound or you can go to their retail stores and
buy the jars individually (if you can find them)

I did score 12 Mason jars off craigslist for $2 as well, but I'd really
prefer free. We have curbside recycling here, and on Friday evening
everyone sets out their recycling in yellow bins, and there's already a
number of bums that wander around the neighborhoods looking for
returnable aluminum cans, one more bum looking for certain glass jars
(me) wouldn't be noticed.

And before the preaching starts, yes I have plenty of money and could
afford to buy whatever jars I wanted - but part of the fun of it is getting
jars of yummy jam for free - minus the electricity to run the stovetop
and dishwasher, the cost of the sugar and pectin, etc. etc. Seriously,
folks, I've done the math already and to can jam, even when the berries
are free, is more expensive than just buying it from the store. This is
more of the principle of the thing, thing, plus the fact that the store
bought
jam tastes terrible compared to home-canned.

Ted




I made a small score today at a yard sale. 15 mason jars for $2. I
got 6 quarts, 2 wide mouth pints and the rest regular pints. They are
all brand names.

We have a local "goodwill" type store that calls me when they get in
canning jars, lids, or rings. I hot foot it down there and buy them all.
I was almost out of jars a week ago but loaded up yesterday with four
cases of pint wide mouth, brandnew, Golden Harvest, still in the sealed
cases with lids and all. Seems a local canner passed away and her
children gave all her canning stuff to Care/Help. Her presence continues
in my home pantry. I also hit garage and yard sales at least once a
month. Living in a small town seems to help.

George

Especially rural small towns. There seem to be more people who do or
did can. Probably why one of the local grocery stores has canning
jars, lids and pectin year around. The jars are at the front of the
store.

BTW, the local WalMart has jars on sale now, sitting at the front
door. Don't have pectin on sale yet, but I think I will start
checking it out more often. If they put it on sale and I use my Ball
coupons, the price gets almost reasonable.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974

"The Cook" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 23 Sep 2006 09:41:43 -0500, George Shirley
wrote:

The Cook wrote:
On Fri, 22 Sep 2006 02:13:17 -0700, "Ted Mittelstaedt"
wrote:


Hi All,

I've canned jam off and on before but this year I decided to go for
it,
and
so far I've put up 6 batches of blackberry. I pick the blackberries
for
free
(we have tons of wild ones around here) and seive them to remove the
seeds,
then do the usual boiling water canner method in a large stock pot.

My question is in the jars. When I started canning this summer I had
been
going round to the various Goodwill stores and finding a variety of
Mason
jars,
they sell them for 29 cents for the small ones, (generally up to 12 oz)
and
49
cents for the large ones. I had a stock of these built up and I went
through that
after the first couple batches. Then, I switched to using the large 32
oz
Classico
spagetti sauce Mason jars. (for those that don't know, Classico uses
real
Mason jars for their product, the tops of the jars and threads are the
correct
threads and size for standard Mason rings and lids) But, that's a
pretty
big
jar for a jam jar and I'd rather use something smaller.

What I'm wondering is what manufacturers pack their products in Mason
jars, or at least, jars that are compatible size and threadwise with
real
Mason jars. Pickle jars have the right mouth, but the threads are not
right.
Peanut Butter jars have the right threads, but the mouths are too big.
I've
heard tell that at one time Mayonnaise jars would work - but the
Mayonaise
manufacturers seem to all have switched to plastic.

Yes, I know I can just go to the store and buy Mason jars - but the
problem is that this costs money. The Classico Mason jars are free
since
our family already buys Classico spaghetti sauce (we prefer the taste)
And with Goodwill, you can go to their Goodwill outlet stores and buy
glassware for 29 cents a pound or you can go to their retail stores and
buy the jars individually (if you can find them)

I did score 12 Mason jars off craigslist for $2 as well, but I'd
really
prefer free. We have curbside recycling here, and on Friday evening
everyone sets out their recycling in yellow bins, and there's already a
number of bums that wander around the neighborhoods looking for
returnable aluminum cans, one more bum looking for certain glass jars
(me) wouldn't be noticed.

And before the preaching starts, yes I have plenty of money and could
afford to buy whatever jars I wanted - but part of the fun of it is
getting
jars of yummy jam for free - minus the electricity to run the stovetop
and dishwasher, the cost of the sugar and pectin, etc. etc. Seriously,
folks, I've done the math already and to can jam, even when the berries
are free, is more expensive than just buying it from the store. This
is
more of the principle of the thing, thing, plus the fact that the store
bought
jam tastes terrible compared to home-canned.

Ted




I made a small score today at a yard sale. 15 mason jars for $2. I
got 6 quarts, 2 wide mouth pints and the rest regular pints. They are
all brand names.

We have a local "goodwill" type store that calls me when they get in
canning jars, lids, or rings. I hot foot it down there and buy them all.
I was almost out of jars a week ago but loaded up yesterday with four
cases of pint wide mouth, brandnew, Golden Harvest, still in the sealed
cases with lids and all. Seems a local canner passed away and her
children gave all her canning stuff to Care/Help. Her presence continues
in my home pantry. I also hit garage and yard sales at least once a
month. Living in a small town seems to help.

George

Especially rural small towns. There seem to be more people who do or
did can. Probably why one of the local grocery stores has canning
jars, lids and pectin year around. The jars are at the front of the
store.


Actually I think it has to do more with the proximity of canneries. I
was talking to a guy who buys and sells old collectible Mason jars.
He said that in California for years, there were canneries all up and
down the state, and as a result few people did home canning, because
you could go to the factory outlet store of the cannery and buy
seconds for next to nothing. Whereas, the city where I'm located there
wern't any canneries, and everyone used to can. He buys jars here
and sells them down in CA where certain ones fetch a high price.

Funny thing - I went to a garage/estate sale today and scored a box of
jars for free - each jar had a half-melted candle in it, I melted the wax
out and washed them.

BTW, the local WalMart has jars on sale now, sitting at the front
door. Don't have pectin on sale yet, but I think I will start
checking it out more often. If they put it on sale and I use my Ball
coupons, the price gets almost reasonable.

Canning supplies are a seasonal item for Walmart, and several other
big box variety stores around here, but I've not seen the ones ever
put jars on sale. They seem to buy just a limited number of jars, lids,
and such, and run out pretty early. I did find a standard mouth stainless
steel funnel on sale 50% off last week.

Ted