Using brand new jars

[Lior]

Hi. I want to purchase brand new jars from a jar place. Do I need to sterilize first? And if so, just in boiling water for 2 minutes? Does anyone do this or know? It is for a nutella like spread.

Thanks!

[hummingbirdkiss]

I run them through the easy load dishwasher cycle one time and feel good about myself

[beccaboo]

If you're going to boiling-water-bathe the finished product it's not really any trouble to sterilise your jars--just boil them in your canner. For something that's not going to be canned it would seem even more crucial that the jars be clean, so I'd boil them then, too (I don't have a dishwasher, but running them through one would probably be sufficient).

[Lior]

Thanks- I guess I need to do the dishwasher cycle!

[Serj]

At school we sterilized jars by putting them with their lids in a 215˚F oven for an hour or so. We were filling them with hot jam, which obviously woudn't melt like nutella, but it's nice to have they dry the whole time.

Edited December 2, 2007 by Serj (log)

[Lior]

After they are in the oven you canlet them cool down and then fill? Or would the cooling down be slow and create agood environment for something to grow? Or not?

Thanks!

[tino27]

I always fill the jars hot. Especially if you are looking to actually preserve the food in the jars.

[Serj]

If I remember right you want to fill the jars while everything is still above 60˚C and vacuum seal them immediately.

[Lior]

I thought you may give me this answer. My issue is that I am filling them with a nutella like chocolate spread, so itis not really hot-just barely warm. Thanks a lot anyway!