Brandied Pears - Should I re-process
 

Hi Everyone,
I'm a newbie - I did a lot of BWB canning about 4 years ago, but none since,
so I had to re-acquaint myself with the canning process today, as I did the
Brandied Pears. A couple of issues I had, and I am wondering if I need to
pop the seals and re-process:

1. I thought that "head-space" was just to the top of where the "lid
section" starts, so I didn't fill mine up to within 1/4 in of the very top
of the jars. Is this an issue?

2. I screwed the lids on the tops firmly, but not tightly (as the canning
instructions that I have states). However, I am wondering if they weren't
tight enough, as I had gotten all the air bubbles out before processing, but
now there are bubbles.

The lids all secured and sealed as they should.

Are these ok, or should I re-process?

Thanks so much,

Deb

Brandied Pears - Should I re-process
 

Deb Hardison wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
> I'm a newbie - I did a lot of BWB canning about 4 years ago, but none since,
> so I had to re-acquaint myself with the canning process today, as I did the
> Brandied Pears. A couple of issues I had, and I am wondering if I need to
> pop the seals and re-process:
>
> 1. I thought that "head-space" was just to the top of where the "lid
> section" starts, so I didn't fill mine up to within 1/4 in of the very top
> of the jars. Is this an issue?

Welll... it can be, if the lids don't seal becaus all the air wasn't
evacuated.

> 2. I screwed the lids on the tops firmly, but not tightly (as the canning
> instructions that I have states). However, I am wondering if they weren't
> tight enough, as I had gotten all the air bubbles out before processing, but
> now there are bubbles.

"tight" means "finger-tight"--just to a full stop, so to speak.
Somebody had a better description than I do--something like just as
tight as you can get with finger and thumb on one hand.

You don't want tight-tight-tight because you want the air to evacuate
the jar during the BWB--that's what the process is for.

> The lids all secured and sealed as they should.

> Are these ok, or should I re-process?

The sentence above tells you all you need to know.

B/

> Thanks so much,
>
> Deb
>
>

Brandied Pears - Should I re-process
 

Deb Hardison wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
> I'm a newbie - I did a lot of BWB canning about 4 years ago, but none since,
> so I had to re-acquaint myself with the canning process today, as I did the
> Brandied Pears. A couple of issues I had, and I am wondering if I need to
> pop the seals and re-process:
>
> 1. I thought that "head-space" was just to the top of where the "lid
> section" starts, so I didn't fill mine up to within 1/4 in of the very top
> of the jars. Is this an issue?
>
> 2. I screwed the lids on the tops firmly, but not tightly (as the canning
> instructions that I have states). However, I am wondering if they weren't
> tight enough, as I had gotten all the air bubbles out before processing, but
> now there are bubbles.
>
> The lids all secured and sealed as they should.
>
> Are these ok, or should I re-process?
>
> Thanks so much,
>
> Deb

Up here at altitude we don't fill things up quite as full. Some kinda scientific
hoohaw about the density of the air and so forth. I think you did right the
first time. I generally just fill all kinda stuff up to the ring about 1" under
the lid.
If you overfill with fruit and don't have enuf liquid, some of the fruit might
float out and might discolor a bit, but it still tastes good. I go thru and turn
my jars of pickles and brandy stuff upside down from time to time.
Edrena

Brandied Pears - Should I re-process
 

In article >,
"Deb Hardison" > wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
> I'm a newbie - I did a lot of BWB canning about 4 years ago, but none since,
> so I had to re-acquaint myself with the canning process today, as I did the
> Brandied Pears. A couple of issues I had, and I am wondering if I need to
> pop the seals and re-process:
>
> 1. I thought that "head-space" was just to the top of where the "lid
> section" starts, so I didn't fill mine up to within 1/4 in of the very top
> of the jars. Is this an issue?
>
> 2. I screwed the lids on the tops firmly, but not tightly (as the canning
> instructions that I have states). However, I am wondering if they weren't
> tight enough, as I had gotten all the air bubbles out before processing, but
> now there are bubbles.
>
> The lids all secured and sealed as they should.
>
> Are these ok, or should I re-process?
>
> Thanks so much,
>
> Deb

Sounds to me like you're fine, Deb, as long as those bubbles aren't
active. Active bubbles could indicate spoilage (fermentation?) and I
don't *think* you would see that kind of action right away.
Recommendations vary on how much head space to allow. One recipe I saw
for Drunken Pears asks for a 1/2" head space. My nickel's worth is
that you're fine as is.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://jamlady.eboard.com
http://web.mac.com/barbschaller

Brandied Pears - Should I re-process
 

In article >,
Brian Mailman > wrote:

> Deb Hardison wrote:
> > 2. I screwed the lids on the tops firmly, but not tightly (as the
> > canning instructions that I have states). However, I am wondering
> > if they weren't tight enough, as I had gotten all the air bubbles
> > out before processing, but now there are bubbles.

> "tight" means "finger-tight"--just to a full stop, so to speak.
> Somebody had a better description than I do--something like just as
> tight as you can get with finger and thumb on one hand.

> B/

<Barb jumps up and down> Me, me!! <g> My extension person recommended
the amount of torque you'd get using thumb and middle finger. As you
say, till you meet resistance, not tight-tight-tight.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://jamlady.eboard.com
http://web.mac.com/barbschaller

Brandied Pears - Should I re-process
 

Melba's Jammin' wrote:

> In article >,
> Brian Mailman > wrote:

>> "tight" means "finger-tight"--just to a full stop, so to speak.
>> Somebody had a better description than I do--something like just as
>> tight as you can get with finger and thumb on one hand.

> <Barb jumps up and down> Me, me!! <g> My extension person recommended
> the amount of torque you'd get using thumb and middle finger.

I've heard about middle fingers.....

B/