How To Properly Sterilise Jars for Preserving

Choosing which method to sterilise your jars for preserving can be stressful sometimes, so I thought I would give you the 3 main ways to sterilise your jars and lids.

I personally prefer to sterilise my jars on the stove top, but sometimes that isn't practical if you have a full stove already.

Oven

Preheat the oven to 120C. Place upright jars and lids separately on a baking tray. Heat in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove jars and fill immediately with jam or other preserves.

Stovetop

Place jars and lids in a deep saucepan over high heat. Cover with cold water. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium and boil for 10 minutes. Line a baking tray with paper towel. Carefully remove the jars and place on tray. Allow to air-dry or pat dry with clean paper towel.

Dishwasher

Place jars, lids and rubber seals in the dishwasher on the hottest cycle. Remove and place onto a tray lined with paper towel. Allow to air-dry or pat dry with clean paper towel.

Also, make sure that your jars and your food are the same or similar temperature when filling the jars to avoid them cracking.

Listen for the lids to pop to know they are airtight.

Happy preserving!