Loki wrote:
> il Thu, 17 Feb 2005 16:44:54 -0500, "Kathi Jones" ha scritto:
>
>
>>"Loki" > wrote in messag
>>
>>>>>DO NOT RETIGHTEN screw bands"
>>>>
>>>>Sounds like CYA and The Idiot Factor to me.
>>>
>>>Maybe some people don't know that metal contracts when cooling and if
>>>overtightened would crack the jars.
>>
>>Hi Loki,
>>
>>no, it was the "When processing time is complete, turn heat off and remove
>>canner lid. When boil subsides - bubbles no longer rise to surface (3 to 5
>>minutes) - remove jars " part that was new to me. I usually lift the lid
>>and pull the jars out while boiling water and steam fill the kitchen. Like
>>Barb suggested, it's prolly there for safety's (idiot's) sake.
>
>
> Well, you must like tempting a steam scald, which has waay more
> latent heat in it than mere boiling water. Dare I say safety is not
> an idiot thing but sensible thing... With my glasses, steam is a
> problem purely for it blinding factor. And why stew my hands if I can
> watch tv and do it later in comfort. :-)
>
I've been doing it this way for nearly fifty years and never been burned
or blinded by steam. When timer goes off, turn off the heat, lift the
lid and set aside. Use the jar lifter and lift out the jars one by one
(I can't handle the rack full of full jars anymore) and set on a folded
tea towel, carefully separated, to cool. You should hear the lids ping
immediately. Leave there for 24 hours, test the seal, mark the jars as
to content and date, wipe down with a damp cloth and store in a dark,
cool place. Seldom ever have a broken jar and the jars always seal good.

George