food for thought re: lids

[mogal]

I found this article on Rural Revolution but I'm still not sure I'd do it.  Maybe in a real dire situation--risk the food or lose it entirely.


Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Re-using disposable canning lids

A couple weeks ago, I saw an interesting piece on SurvivalBlog entitled "Reusing Canning Jar Lids."





I've been following the issue of lid shortages with great interest, so this article definitely caught my eye.



The writer addressed the issue of re-using disposable lids with a scientific approach, testing his technique for recovering the use of disposable lids. "Some websites warn that reusing canning lids is 'unsafe,'" he writes. "That's simply not true. The lids either work or they don't work and there’s no middle ground. ... The same rule applies whether you're using brand-new lids or recycling used lids for the 17th time: if the button on the lid is down after the jars cool, the contents are safe. If the button is up, the contents are safe as long as the jar is put into the refrigerator to be used first."



In my canning experience, I must agree he's right.



In a nutshell, his recommendations for successfully re-using lids is:



• Parboil the lids (meaning, drop them in water that is boiling hot, but with the heat off) to let the gaskets soften and return to their original shape;



• Confirm the jar rims are perfect (no nicks) and perfectly clean.



Over the last few years, most of my canning has been done with Tattlers, but I still use disposable lids once in a while. More importantly, I've used disposable lids on some of my past canning projects, but I was always careless when removing the lids – uncaring if they got bent or distorted during removal.



So from now on, I'm going to save my used disposable lids and give this fellow's technique a try.

[Maura]

That being said, my tattler lids arrived this week. I can't wait to use them.

[Tallpines]

I have re-used lids.
I also, have scraped a layer of mold off the top of a newly opened jar of my canned jams and jellies.

My Mennonite neighbors, who do much more canning, than I do ..... also ..... re-use their lids.

I Always have been a rebel!
But ..... I use CAUTION and STERILE technique.....

Like so many marketing ploys out there,   I am not convinced the insistence of needing NEW LIDS for every jar,  is not backed by manufacturers, attempt to sell more lids.

It is very important to follow safe techniques!

Because ... lid companies cannot be certain of the methods of each user,  they cover their liabilities,  by preaching the “new lid” theory.

I know my methods are safe.
I will continue re-using my lids.....

[mzgarden]

Tallpines, how do you get your lids off without putting a bend or twist in them?

[Tallpines]

May 21, 2021 8:38:49 GMT mzgarden said:

Tallpines , how do you get your lids off without putting a bend or twist in them?

very carefully!


Some of the lids do get bent ..... and cannot be used again.

But .... usually I use a “church key”, lift the edge just enough to break the seal, and lift it from the jar.

[vickilynn]

My husband uses his thumb and forefinger and just lifts up and pops them off with no damage. I don’t have enough strength in my hands to do that.

[mogal]

I have an old mismatched dinner knife that I insert between the edge of the lid and the rings of the jar and give the knife a twist. The lid is usually intact without even crimping the edge of the lid outside the sealing compound.

My uses for used canning lids:

Vac sealed jars that I sometimes have to parboil to get an adequate vacuum (I guess that's the same as the guy in the article did, huh?)

Secure tops with a ring on canning jars for left ove...uh, PLANNED overs in the refrigerator

Drill a small hole in the edge of the lid near the sealing compound and use a scratch awl to write the name of a plant variety on the white enamel. Wire to plant support.

Recycle even if rusted.

[paquebot]

I have previously stated that any commercial lid such as on Classico jars can be reused a number of times. That is because the sealing compound is plastisol. Unlike the old latex compound, it does not degrade over time. Plastisol returns to original form when heated. I have saved all of the flats from last year's tomato juice in case there is a shortage when needed.

Martin