Intro
This video shows you how to sterilize glass jars for filling with any condiments such as jams, chutneys, sauces, or other preserves, by heating them in the oven so the contents don’t spoil.
Using clean sterilized jars is essential to the success and longevity of any preserves you dedicate your valuable time and effort to making them. By sterilizing the jars, you are removing any bacteria, yeasts, or fungi, hence taking care of the food you put into the jar. Contaminated or jars not properly cleaned will infect the food inside, and it will spoil very quickly.
My favorite is the oven method. For me is the most-trusted one for ensuring your jars will be meticulously clean for your preserves.
Process
Equipment:
- Jars
- Baking Tray
- Towel
- Oven Mitts
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven at 130°C – 140°C (265°F – 285°F). Do not be tempted to heat the oven any higher, or you may risk the glass breaking.
- Line a baking tray with a wet towel.
- Wash your jars along with the lids in hot soapy water, without drying them out.
- Lay them out on a baking tray while they’re still wet, making sure the jars are not touching each other.
- Place the baking tray in the oven & sterilize the jars for at least 20 minutes or until they are totally dry.
- Using thick oven mitts, remove each jar from the oven as needed onto a heatproof mat, making sure you fill while the jam or preserve is as hot as the jar.
- If you want to use them right away, make sure to add hot food to the hot & sterilized jars; otherwise, the jar will shatter which can be very dangerous.
- If you want to use the sterilized jars later, let them cool off first & then store them in a shelter.
Notes
Do NOT add cold food to hot jars, or hot food to cold jars; otherwise, the jar will shatter which is very dangerous.
