does anyone else use recycled RAGU sauce bottles [or any other kind ] to can in?? [as well as regular canning jars].-
Using a pressure cooker
- Thread starter dayna
- Start date
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I don't use Ragu so no but I do use None Such brand Mince Meat Jars to can in - they are Mason jars. Some pickles come in mason jars too. Even some mayonnaise jars are fine but, look for the seam. If the jar has an obvious seam, you do not want to pressure can in it, it has a higher change of breaking. No seam and lids and rings fit - good to go. (Jars with seams are fine for water bath canning.)
I agree on the mayo jar assessment,I have used a lot of them, and have had more of them break then the regular canning jars. -but-- my older canning jars [some as old as the 20's and 30's]have seams and bubbles in the glass and some of them have broken in pressure canning also.-- The RAGU jars are amazing little jars, -- and I have recycled some of them about a dozen times and the lids still seal,[they have a built in button to see if they seal] and have yet to have one break in the canner. On the other hand-- I have tried "Newman's Own" and similar jars that look like they should work fine, [about the same as RAGU] and have yet to get one to seal properly.BlueMoods":19li6xyo said:
TwoAcreDream
Well-known member
Hi Dayna,
Is this your pot ?
http://www.amazon.com/Polished-Aluminum ... B00002N5ZP
I am curious how tall your pot is ?
I was thinking this morning when I was making a couple batches of
jam, that I could use my heavy pot that is smaller than my water bath
canner to process the jars in. I make single batches of jam, and get
like 4 to 5 pints per batch. So I used the back burner to get the water
bath pot going, and the front burner to do the batches in. My other
2 burners do not get as hot as the two I use the most on the left side
of my stove.
So I get the first batch in the jars, and set the 5 pint jars in the pot.
Come to conclusion that I like to see 1 inch of water over the top of
the jars, and then another inch from the top of pot, so things don't
boil over. No way, was that going to happen. So I had to get the water
bath canner set up. I made the second batch of jam, and then processed
the 10 pints. 5 were regular mouth and 5 were wide mouth.
I also came to the conclusion that I had nothing in the bottom of the
smaller pot that I wanted to use as a metal grid. Can't think of the right
name for it.
So I plan later on finding a deeper pot that I can use to water bath the
5 pints in, without pulling the regular water bath canner out.
I still want to do 2 more batches of jam today.
I also came to the conclusion that I have a serious hole in my canning
preps. I have all kinds of standard mouth lids. In excess of 100 boxes.
BUT.....I don't have the numbers I want to see for the wide mouth.
So I will have to pull that box later and do a head count. I probably
will have to go find a sale on wide mouth lids. And being that I own a
LOT of wide mouth jars, lids would be a good thing to have .
I have quite a few boxes of the 63 size lids. Which are the next
size smaller than the standard regular mouth size. I am not sure
they are even being made any more. One of my old neighbors used
to save the slender jars that instant coffee came in to use the 63s
on. She passed away last year at 92. I probably should try to get
ahold of her son and see if I can get some of those old jars. I know
I have maybe 2 dz of that size here, but a few more would be a good
thing.
I also collect old canning jars. I like looking at them
<br /><br /> __________ Sun Mar 23, 2014 2:30 pm __________ <br /><br />
Some of the odd jars like Newman's won't seal properly. Because if you put
a collar on them and view them from the side, you will see, that they won't seat down on the shoulder completely. I have had to throw a few away because
I did not want to grab the wrong jar by mistake, and then they won't seal.
Old mayo jars are wonderful. They are a heavier glass than some of those
made today. The new canning jars are being made in China. I don't like
that. I like my old jars
Is this your pot ?
http://www.amazon.com/Polished-Aluminum ... B00002N5ZP
I am curious how tall your pot is ?
I was thinking this morning when I was making a couple batches of
jam, that I could use my heavy pot that is smaller than my water bath
canner to process the jars in. I make single batches of jam, and get
like 4 to 5 pints per batch. So I used the back burner to get the water
bath pot going, and the front burner to do the batches in. My other
2 burners do not get as hot as the two I use the most on the left side
of my stove.
So I get the first batch in the jars, and set the 5 pint jars in the pot.
Come to conclusion that I like to see 1 inch of water over the top of
the jars, and then another inch from the top of pot, so things don't
boil over. No way, was that going to happen. So I had to get the water
bath canner set up. I made the second batch of jam, and then processed
the 10 pints. 5 were regular mouth and 5 were wide mouth.
I also came to the conclusion that I had nothing in the bottom of the
smaller pot that I wanted to use as a metal grid. Can't think of the right
name for it.
So I plan later on finding a deeper pot that I can use to water bath the
5 pints in, without pulling the regular water bath canner out.
I still want to do 2 more batches of jam today.
I also came to the conclusion that I have a serious hole in my canning
preps. I have all kinds of standard mouth lids. In excess of 100 boxes.
BUT.....I don't have the numbers I want to see for the wide mouth.
So I will have to pull that box later and do a head count. I probably
will have to go find a sale on wide mouth lids. And being that I own a
LOT of wide mouth jars, lids would be a good thing to have .
I have quite a few boxes of the 63 size lids. Which are the next
size smaller than the standard regular mouth size. I am not sure
they are even being made any more. One of my old neighbors used
to save the slender jars that instant coffee came in to use the 63s
on. She passed away last year at 92. I probably should try to get
ahold of her son and see if I can get some of those old jars. I know
I have maybe 2 dz of that size here, but a few more would be a good
thing.
I also collect old canning jars. I like looking at them
<br /><br /> __________ Sun Mar 23, 2014 2:30 pm __________ <br /><br />
michaels4gardens":2eebgpl6 said:
Some of the odd jars like Newman's won't seal properly. Because if you put
a collar on them and view them from the side, you will see, that they won't seat down on the shoulder completely. I have had to throw a few away because
I did not want to grab the wrong jar by mistake, and then they won't seal.
Old mayo jars are wonderful. They are a heavier glass than some of those
made today. The new canning jars are being made in China. I don't like
that. I like my old jars
michaels4gardens":21palgzi said:
I have never tried reusing ragu jars for canning. Do you reuse the same lids or do you buy new lids? <br /><br /> __________ Sun Mar 23, 2014 7:44 pm __________ <br /><br /> Dayna,
Also, call your ag extension office. They may have somone on staff that is a specialist in canning and can give you advise. My local office here in Texas will test my weights for proper guage for example.
I reuse the lids that came with the jar-until the paint on the inside starts to degrade, -with tomatoes, and peppers it is only 3 or 4 times, but with most low acid foods and juice, it is a dozen or more sometimes.
-I don't have any more of the smaller canning lids, [mentioned above by TwoacreDream] I ran out a few years ago, and could not find them for sale anywhere
I had to toss all of my smaller canning jars I had used for years. but-- not such a really big deal, as, I had to move, and the small mouth is a pain to get things out of and more of a pain to clean, -- but the smaller mouth jars sure sealed well, and were great for fruits and juice. [ still have about a couple thousand jars to use]
-I don't have any more of the smaller canning lids, [mentioned above by TwoacreDream] I ran out a few years ago, and could not find them for sale anywhere
I had to toss all of my smaller canning jars I had used for years. but-- not such a really big deal, as, I had to move, and the small mouth is a pain to get things out of and more of a pain to clean, -- but the smaller mouth jars sure sealed well, and were great for fruits and juice. [ still have about a couple thousand jars to use]
http://www.fillmorecontainer.com/63400- ... .aspx?c=26
There you go, #63 lids. Not as inexpensive as other sizes but, at least you can still get them.
There you go, #63 lids. Not as inexpensive as other sizes but, at least you can still get them.
Thanks ---that is tons better then the E-bay price, -I do wish I could find just the lids, and rings seperate, -- but I havent seen those in a few years--
Any of you use the reusable Tattler lids & rings? They're initially expensive, but after reused a number of times it would be a savings. I'm curious if anyone has used them and if they are worth it. Sorry for pulling this from pressure canners, Dayna, but it's all been good info!
I was hoping someone else would comment on this-- as I am interested in an "more experienced " opinion.--
I have used these type, they are the same as some older sysyems, [still have some] they are great-
--but--not perfect-- here are a few "down-side" comments-- that are not intended to scare you off, or discourage you, because I think they are great, and have food canned this way still sealed and "good" canned in the 60's .
- the rubber washer does not last forever [about 5 to 10 years if opened and reused a lot.] before it cracks.
---it is more dificult to see if it is sealed.-
Children need to be trained to pick the jar up by pulling on the lid before it is opened, [as a casual glance at the lid will not tell you much, and also on inspecting the jar for any sign of "bad food" before they eat from the bottled food.
[all things all of us should know anyway--]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I looked at the new tattler "plastic" lids, and they apear to be concave when sealed, the ones I have are not "tattler" and are glass "Ball" brand-- so maybe I was a little off in part of my assesment--
I have used these type, they are the same as some older sysyems, [still have some] they are great-
--but--not perfect-- here are a few "down-side" comments-- that are not intended to scare you off, or discourage you, because I think they are great, and have food canned this way still sealed and "good" canned in the 60's .
- the rubber washer does not last forever [about 5 to 10 years if opened and reused a lot.] before it cracks.
---it is more dificult to see if it is sealed.-
Children need to be trained to pick the jar up by pulling on the lid before it is opened, [as a casual glance at the lid will not tell you much, and also on inspecting the jar for any sign of "bad food" before they eat from the bottled food.
[all things all of us should know anyway--]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I looked at the new tattler "plastic" lids, and they apear to be concave when sealed, the ones I have are not "tattler" and are glass "Ball" brand-- so maybe I was a little off in part of my assesment--
Ok, I know what you're talking about. I like the idea of glass jars with reusable rings. (My mom used to "borrow" the rings from grandma's cellar to hold her stockings up when she was a teenager and couldn't find garters. Must have had some skinny little chicken legs--or used a lot of really wide-mouth jars. I digress--). I was reading that you'd have to lift the jars by the lids to make sure they sealed, just like the glass ones. But I wonder if the plastic degrades into the food over time...still don't know what to think.
according to the Propaganda on the "Tattler site" it does not degrade, and is stable up to 450 degrees, before it starts to release gas compounds. I would still like the glass ones I have better, -- but-- I am down to just a few of those.and-- I don't think anyone manufactures them any more-- and = if they did-- they would probly be quite pricey.
[the rubber seal rings fit into the garter clamp things, to hold up stockings, and did not go arround the legs]
--).
[the rubber seal rings fit into the garter clamp things, to hold up stockings, and did not go arround the legs]
DogCatMom
Well-known member
I've tried to stay out of this particular thread on canning, because I usually abide by USDA recommendations and all PLUS I have no experience with canning meat products.
I *have* canned with my pressure canner, though (separate from my hot-water-bath canner and my pressure cooker, which is much shorter than the pressure canner).
Those of you looking for re-useable lids and old-timey jars might want to look at Lehman's, which also has gardening and other self-sufficiency supplies. (Yes, a plug; I'm a very happy customer.)
I *have* canned with my pressure canner, though (separate from my hot-water-bath canner and my pressure cooker, which is much shorter than the pressure canner).
Those of you looking for re-useable lids and old-timey jars might want to look at Lehman's, which also has gardening and other self-sufficiency supplies. (Yes, a plug; I'm a very happy customer.)
I see they have the Tattler products available at Lehman's also, -- and-- i see they have the old time rubber gaskets with tab, for my zink canning lids [even though they stated that the lids were no longer available.]DogCatMom":2lxe4gls said:
---so-- has anyone ever tried to use the old time zink lids, with rubber gasket in a pressure cooker??--
If anyone tries the Tattler type lids and seal system,-- make sure you don't tighten the ring down much before you put it in the pressure cooker/canner as it will burst your jars-- those type systems, sure hold the pressure--Tattler lids don't give much, and my glass lids won't give at all--
like I stated earlier, -- I have some tomato juice canned this way in the 60's that is still sealed and good.
