Seeking to make your personal fruits and veggies this summer time? Effectively, look no additional, as a result of I’ve a hack for scoring some free canning jars! All you want is a bit of little bit of creativity and a few on-line looking out expertise.
Learn on to seek out out how one can get began.
What to Look For in Canning Jars
When you find yourself canning your personal vegetables and fruit, it is very important use high-quality canning jars.
The very last thing you need is to your jars to interrupt in the course of the canning course of. Ensure that to examine every jar rigorously earlier than utilizing it.
Freed from Cracks, Chips, and Nicks
When selecting canning jars, it is very important choose ones which might be freed from cracks, chips, and nicks. These imperfections can create weak spots within the jar that will trigger the jars to interrupt throughout the canning course of.
As well as, cracks and chips may present entry factors for micro organism, which may contaminate the meals. To keep away from these issues, rigorously examine every jar earlier than buying it. In the event you discover any imperfections, select a unique jar.
No Bubbles or Skinny Spots within the Glass
Search for any bubbles or skinny spots within the glass. These areas usually tend to break throughout the canning course of.
Precise Canning Jars Meant for Canning (Not Crafts)
When stocking your kitchen for canning season, it’s essential to decide on the suitable sort of jar.
Whereas common outdated jars from Interest Foyer would possibly seem to be an affordable and simple possibility, they’re truly not meant for canning. As a substitute, search for jars which might be particularly designed for canning.
Canning jars have thicker partitions and a bolstered lip, which helps to create a safe seal. Additionally they have a large mouth, making them simpler to fill. As well as, canning jars are heat-resistant, so that they received’t shatter when uncovered to boiling water.
Whereas craft jars may be tempting, do not forget that they’re not meant for canning. Select precise canning jars as an alternative, and your preserves will style all the higher for it.
The place to Discover Canning Jars for Free or Low cost
Canning jars are probably the most versatile gadgets within the kitchen. They can be utilized for the whole lot from storing pantry staples to preserving home made jams and jellies.
Nonetheless, canning jars can be costly, particularly for those who want a big amount. Fortunately, there are a number of methods to get canning jars free of charge or low cost.
Craigslist
In the event you’re searching for free canning jars, Craigslist is a superb place to begin. Listed here are a number of ideas that can assist you discover what you’re searching for:
- Test the “free” part. That is the obvious place to look, nevertheless it’s additionally the almost certainly to have what you’re searching for.
- Seek for particular key phrases. As a substitute of simply looking for “canning jars,” strive looking for phrases like ” Ball jars,” ” Mason jars,” or ” canning provides.”
- Arrange alerts. Many Craigslist customers arrange alerts for particular key phrases so that they’ll be notified at any time when a brand new itemizing is posted. This may be a good way to be sure to don’t miss something.
- Test different sections. In the event you’re not having any luck within the “free” part, strive wanting in different sections akin to “on the market” or ” needed.” You may be shocked at what you discover.
Canning Swaps
One place to seek out free canning jars is at an area canning Swap. Canning Swaps are occasions the place individuals who protect meals come collectively to commerce jars, lids, and different canning provides.
Fb Market
Canning season is upon us, and for those who’re searching for some free canning jars, Fb Market is a superb place to begin. Listed here are a number of ideas that can assist you discover the very best offers:
- First, seek for canning jars within the “For Sale” part of Fb Market. You’ll seemingly discover a variety of listings from individuals who want to eliminate their jars.
- Subsequent, check out the costs that sellers are asking. You must be capable to discover some jars free of charge, or for very low costs.
- When you’ve discovered a number of listings that look promising, contact the vendor and prepare to select up the jars. You’ll want to talk clearly about when and the place you’ll be selecting up the jars.
- Lastly, don’t neglect to examine the jars earlier than you’re taking them dwelling. Be sure that they’re clear and in good situation, in an effort to use them for canning.
Freecycle
Freecycle is a world group that connects individuals who need to eliminate undesirable gadgets with people who find themselves in want of these gadgets.
By signing up for an area Freecycle group, people can usually discover canning jars which have been donated by others. As well as, many freecycle teams additionally host common occasions the place members can commerce or trade gadgets with one another.
One notice – it is very important watch out when reusing retailer purchased sauce and jelly jars for canning. These jars are usually not designed for canning and should not seal correctly, which may result in meals spoilage.
As well as, the jars will not be heat-treated, which suggests they may break when uncovered to excessive temperatures.
In the event you do select to reuse retailer purchased jars for canning, ensure that to examine them rigorously for cracks or chips and solely use jars which might be in good situation.
Storage Gross sales and Thrift Shops
In the event you’re prepared to pay a bit of bit to your jars, yard gross sales and thrift shops are wonderful sources for affordable canning jars. You must examine the jars rigorously earlier than buying them to ensure there are not any cracks or chips within the glass.
Property Gross sales
Probably the greatest methods to get low cost or free canning jars is to attend property gross sales. Usually, people who find themselves downsizing or transferring will promote their canning provides at a fraction of the fee.
ASK
One solution to get canning jars free of charge is to only ask round. You may be shocked at how many individuals have canning jars that they not want or use.
Different Ideas for Saving on Canning Jars
In the event you love canning and preserving meals, then that jars might be probably the most costly provides. Fortunately, there are a number of methods to avoid wasting on jars.
Be On Fixed Lookout
A method to save cash on canning jars is to be looking out for gross sales and specials.
Many shops provide reductions on canning provides throughout the summer time months, so it pays to maintain a watch out for commercials and coupons.
As well as, many shops provide loyalty packages that give clients factors or reductions on future purchases. Due to this fact, it’s price signing up for these packages to be able to get monetary savings on canning jars over the long run.
Search for Fall Coupons
In the event you’re searching for methods to avoid wasting on mason jars for canning, among the best instances to purchase them is throughout the fall.
That’s as a result of many shops provide coupons and reductions on canning provides throughout this time of yr. You possibly can often discover these coupons within the weekly flyers that include your newspaper.
One other nice solution to save on mason jars is to purchase them in bulk. Many shops provide reductions whenever you purchase a case of jars, and also you’ll all the time have extras readily available in case you want them.
Lastly, you should definitely preserve a watch out for gross sales. Usually, shops will mark down canning provides throughout the fall to be able to make room for vacation merchandise.
Save Cash By Shopping for Canning Jars Early
Shops usually promote canning jars at a reduction within the spring, earlier than the canning season begins. This is a perfect time to top off on jars, as they are going to be each cheaper and extra available. As well as, many shops provide coupons and different reductions on canning provides throughout this time of yr.
Don’t Purchase on Amazon – Go to WalMart As a substitute
Amazon is a superb useful resource for every kind of issues, however on the subject of mason jars for canning, you’re higher off going to WalMart.
Right here’s why: initially, WalMart usually has a greater choice of sizes and types of mason jars than Amazon.
Second, the costs are often decrease at WalMart. And eventually, you possibly can usually discover coupons for mason jars at WalMart, which may additional cut back the worth.
So for those who’re wanting to save cash on mason jars for canning, ensure that to take a look at WalMart first.
Ball and Kerr are the Similar Model – Rating Some Reductions!
Keep in mind that Ball and Kerr are the identical model. This implies which you can often discover reductions on Kerr jars when Ball is operating a promotion.
Take Good Care of Your Mason Jars So You Can Reuse Them Subsequent 12 months
In the event you’re like most individuals, you in all probability have a number of mason jars hanging round your own home. Perhaps you employ them for canning vegetables and fruit, or perhaps you similar to the way in which they appear.
Both approach, it’s essential to take excellent care of your mason jars in an effort to reuse them subsequent yr. Listed here are a number of ideas that can assist you get began:
- Wash your jars totally after every use. It will assist stop micro organism from build up and also will lengthen the lifetime of your jars.
- Retailer your jars in a cool, darkish place. daylight and warmth could cause the glass to turn out to be brittle over time.
- In the event you dwell in an space with laborious water, think about using distilled water to fill your jars. It will assist stop mineral deposits from forming on the glass.
By following these easy ideas, you possibly can be sure that your mason jars will probably be prepared for an additional season of canning and preserving.
Closing Ideas
So, if you wish to give canning a do this summer time however don’t have any jars, take into account raiding your recycling bin for some free glass containers. Simply be sure that the jar is clear and has a superb seal earlier than utilizing it for canning.
Or hit up your native thrift retailer or discount store to seek out some offers. Free or low cost canning jars might be discovered nearly wherever. Comfortable preserving!
