Canning is a great way to preserve food for later consumption. The best jars for canning are those that are made of glass and have a wide mouth. Mason jars are the most popular type of jar for canning, but there are other options available as well.
Ball jars and Kerr jars are also popular choices.
Summer is the perfect time to break out the canning jars and start preserving all of those fresh fruits and vegetables. But with so many different types and sizes of jars available, it can be confusing to know which one is best for your needs. Here is a quick guide to help you choose the best jar for canning:
Ball Mason Jars – These classic glass jars are available in a wide range of sizes, from half-pints to quarts. They have two-piece lids (a screw-on band and a separate flat lid) that create an airtight seal, making them ideal for canning both high acid and low acid foods.
Kerr Jars – Kerr also offers a variety of glass jars in different sizes, with two-piece lids similar to Ball Mason jars.
They are a good choice for canning, but may not be as widely available as Ball Mason jars.
Weck Jars – These unique German jars have clip top lids that create an airtight seal. They come in several sizes, including half-liter and liter size options, making them great for larger batches of preserves or pickles.
The downside to Weck jars is that they require special rubber seals and clips, which can be difficult to find in stores.
10 Best Canning Jars 2021
Glass Jars for Canning
Glass jars are one of the most popular ways to store food. Canning is a process of preserving food in airtight containers. Glass jars can be used for both home and commercial canning purposes.
There are many different types and sizes of glass jars available on the market, so finding the right one for your needs should not be difficult.
Canning Jars
If you’re interested in canning your own food at home, you’ll need to invest in a good set of canning jars. In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about canning jars, from the different types that are available to how to properly care for them.
Canning jars come in a variety of sizes, but the most common are half-pint, pint, and quart sizes.
You’ll also find some unusual sizes like jelly jars and half-gallon jars, but these are less common. Canning jars are made from tempered glass, which is why they’re so sturdy. They have a wide mouth for easy filling and an airtight seal that will keep your canned goods fresh for months.
When choosing canning jars, be sure to select ones that are free of chips or cracks. These imperfections can cause your jar to break during the canning process or allow bacteria to enter and spoil your food. Inspect each jar carefully before using it.
Once you’ve selected your canning jars, it’s important to properly prepare them for use. Wash the jars in hot soapy water and rinse well. Then sterilize the jars by boiling them in water for 10 minutes.
Be sure to use tongs when handling the hot jars so you don’t burn yourself!
After sterilizing the cans, you’re ready to fill them with your favorite foods. Be sure to leave enough headspace (the space between the food and the top of the jar) so that your food has room to expand as it cooks inside the jar.
Once filled, wipe any spills off of the rim of the jar and screw on a lid tightly until finger-tight. Don’t overtighten or you may not get a proper seal!
Now comes the fun part – actually processing your canned goods!
There are two methods of processing: water bath canning and pressure canning . Water bath canning is suitable for high acid foods like fruits , jams , jellies , pickles , salsas , etc., while pressure caning is necessary for low acid foods such as vegetables , meats , poultry , seafood , etc.). Consult a reliable recipe book or online resource for more information on which method is best for each type of food .
Assuming you’re doing water bath canning, simply place your filled jars into a large pot orcanner filled with boiling water .
Canning Jars And Lids
If you’re looking to get into canning, or even if you just want to be prepared for the next time you need to break out the jars, it’s important to know a little bit about canning jars and lids. Canning jars are specially designed to be airtight and heat-resistant, making them perfect for preserving food. Lids are equally important, as they create a seal that prevents spoilage.
There are two main types of canning jars: regular mouth and wide mouth. Regular mouth jars have a narrower opening, making them ideal for jams, jellies, and other thick sauces. Wide mouth jars have a wider opening, which is better for fruits and vegetables.
You’ll also find that there are different sizes of canning jars – usually pint (16 oz), quart (32 oz), or half-gallon (64 oz).
When it comes to lids, there are two main types: screw-on lids and Tattler reusable lids. Screw-on lids are the most common type of lid and they come with a rubberized seal that creates an airtight seal when screwed onto the jar.
Tattler reusable lids are made of BPA-free plastic and also have a rubberized seal; however, these lids can be used over again provided they’re not damaged.
Now that you know a little bit more about canning jars and lids, you’re ready to start preserving your own food!
Ball Jars
The history of Ball jars begins in the early 1800s with one man, Benjamin Ball. He was a glassmaker from New Jersey who started his own company making fruit jars. The business was successful and grew, eventually moving to Indiana.
In 1884, three brothers bought the company and renamed it the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company. They continued to produce fruit jars, as well as other types of glassware.
The company really took off in the 1900s with the invention of the screw-on lid.
This made canning much easier and safer, and people all over America began using Ball jars to preserve their food. The company grew even more during World War II, when canning became a patriotic duty since fresh food was scarce. After the war, Ball jars remained popular for home canning, but they also became collectibles.
Today, you can find vintage Ball jars at antique stores or online auctions.
If you’re interested in collectingBall jars, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, look for jars that are in good condition without any cracks or chips.
Second, check the bottom of the jar for a raised “B” inside a circle; this indicates that it was made by Ball (later jars just have a plain circle). Finally, pay attention to color because some colors are rarer than others: aqua is common, while green and yellow are harder to find. Happy hunting!
Credit: foodsguy.com
What Type of Jars are Best for Canning?
There are many different types of jars that can be used for canning, but not all of them are created equal. Some jars are made from materials that are more durable and will stand up to the high temperatures and pressure involved in canning better than others. Here is a rundown of some of the most popular types of jars for canning, as well as their pros and cons:
Ball Mason Jars: These ubiquitous glass jars are a favorite among home canners. They come in a variety of sizes, from half-pints to quarts, and have wide mouths that make them easy to fill. Ball Mason jars also have screw-on lids with rubber seals that create an airtight seal when properly tightened.
Pros: Wide mouth makes filling easy, screw-on lids create an airtight seal. Cons: Can be expensive if buying new, need to buy special tools (like a jar lifter) to safely remove hot jars from canner.
Kerr Self-Sealing Jars: These glass jars are similar to Ball Mason jars, but they have narrower mouths and come with self-sealing lids (no screwing required).
Kerr self-sealing lids have a metal disk with a rubber gasket that creates an airtight seal when heated during the canning process. Pros: Narrower mouth prevents spillage when filling, self-sealing lids simplify the sealing process. Cons: More expensive than Ball Mason jars if buying new, still need special tools (jar lifter) to remove hot jars from canner safely.
Leifheit Preserving Jars: These German-made glass preserving jars have wide mouths and come with two piece snap lid closures (similar to those on mason style jelly jars). The Leifheit snap lid has a metal disk with a rubber gasket that creates an airtight seal when heated during the canning process.Pros: Wide mouth makes filling easy; snap lid closure is simpler than using screw-on type lids. Cons: Can be difficult to find in North America; still need special tools (jar lifter) to remove hot jars from canner safely .
Which is Better Ball Or Kerr Mason Jars?
There are a few factors to consider when deciding which type of jar is best for canning. Ball and Kerr Mason jars are both made of tempered glass, which means they can withstand high temperatures. They also have wide mouths, making them easy to fill and empty.
However, there are some differences between the two brands.
Ball jars have thicker walls than Kerr jars, making them more durable. They also have a slightly narrower mouth, which some people prefer for canning purposes.
Kerr jars have a wider mouth, making them easier to fill but harder to seal tightly.
In terms of price, Ball jars are typically cheaper than Kerr jars. However, Kerr offers a discount if you purchase their jars in bulk.
Overall, either brand would be a good choice for canning purposes. It really comes down to personal preference in terms of price and mouth size.
Is There a Difference in Canning Jars?
There are many types of canning jars available on the market today. But are there really any differences between them?
Yes, there are some slight differences that may make one type of jar more suitable for your needs than another.
Here is a brief overview of the most common types of canning jars:
Ball jars: These popular jars are made by the Ball Corporation and have been used for home canning for over 100 years. They come in a variety of sizes, from half-pints to quarts, and have wide mouths for easy filling and emptying.
Ball jars also have standard screw-on lids that create an airtight seal.
Kerr jars: Kerr is another well-known manufacturer of home canning supplies. Their jars are very similar to Ball jars, but they have slightly narrower mouths.
Kerr also offers Mason-type jars with two-piece lids (a screw-on band and a separate lid) that provide an extra tight seal.
Leifheit/Pryex preserving jar: These German-made glass preserving bottles have unique wire bail closure systems that create an airtight, watertight seal without the need for a screw on lid. Leifheit/Pryex bottles come in both half-liter and liter sizes.
What Size Jars are Best for Canning?
There are a few things to consider when choosing jars for canning: size, shape, and material.
Size is an important consideration because it determines how much food you can preserve at one time. jams and jellies are typically canned in 8-ounce or half-pint jars, while larger items like fruits and vegetables are canned in pint or quart jars.
If you plan on doing a lot of canning, it might be worth investing in a canning kit that comes with multiple jar sizes.
Shape is also something to think about when selecting jars for canning. Round jars are best for foods that need to be processed in a water bath canner, while square or rectangular jars work better with pressure cookers.
The type of food you’ll be preserving will also dictate the ideal jar shape; for example, pickles are often canned in wide-mouth jars so they’re easy to stack and fit into small spaces.
Finally, you’ll need to decide what material your jars should be made from. Glass is the most popular choice for home canners because it’s inert and doesn’t react with acidic foods.
However, plastic or metal containers can also be used as long as they have been approved by the USDA for homecanning use.
Conclusion
If you’re planning on doing any canning this year, you’ll need to invest in some good jars. Canning is a great way to preserve food, but only if you have the right supplies. Here are some of the best jars for canning that will make your life a lot easier.
Ball Mason Jars – These classic glass jars are affordable and easy to find. They come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose the perfect one for your needs.
Kerr Jars – Kerr is another popular brand of canning jars.
They’re also very affordable and come in a variety of sizes.
Weck Jars – Weck jars are slightly more expensive than other brands, but they’re worth it. They have a unique design that makes them easy to use and clean.
Plus, they look really nice on your shelves!