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Do jars need to have the top popped down?

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Do jars need to have the top popped down?

Mon 15-Aug-11
10:08 pm

Finona

Cambridge UK

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Hello, I've just joined the forum, and am hoping for some advice - I made some plum chutney yesterday, and have just noticed that the little pop seal bit on the centre of some of the jars hasn't popped down - do I need to do something about this, or will it be ok? I sterilised the jars in the oven, and the lids in boiling water, and added chutney to jars while the chutney was hot but not boiling, and then lidded them after a few minutes. Will the chutney stay good despite the seals not being down?

Thanking you in advance!

Finona

Mon 15-Aug-11
11:41 pm

Terrier

York

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Hi Finona, hope I can help

Do you use recycled jars (as in old jam/pickle jars) - if so, then provided you've been thorough with your cleaning and sterlising and sealing, they should be fine. I often hear mine popping as the stuff in them cools, but not always.

I always use cellophane disks under the metal lids, a) as they are easier to sterlise (dip in brandy or whisky & b) they stop metal lids corroding with the vinegar

Tue 16-Aug-11
12:03 pm

Gottaknit

South Lincolnshire

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If the tops popped down that is good - means the jars are sealed as effectively as when they left the factory first time round. When you are re-using jars, they sometimes do and sometimes dont - I think the rubbery bit in the lid that seals them will wear and not manage to make an airtight seal every time, but as long as you have sterilised as well as poss, it should not matter.

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Tue 16-Aug-11
8:18 pm

Finona

Cambridge UK

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Thank you both very much - that's very reassuring! I thought I was going to have to boil them till the lids popped down or something, and had visions of exploding jars or mouldy chutney - neither good! Yes, the jars are all old jam/pickle/other jars and some have been used more than once. I did the oven sterilising of the jars and the boiling of the lids, so I'm pretty happy as to their sterility. I guess I can keep the unpopped ones and give the others away, just to be on the safe side.

Thanks again

Finona

Mon 22-Aug-11
3:57 pm

mrsmortis

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If that happens to me I throw the contents in with the next batch and rejar them just to be on the safe side. Normally it's caused by the contents being too cool when I put them in the bottle or the lid being damaged.

With chutney you are probably OK but I would use those jars first as they are the most likely to go off.

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