Canning Jars
I really like canning jars. I’m no collector, mind you, just a fond user. I’m not quite sure what to think of those who collect jars and put them on shelves. Can a vessel be divorced from its purpose and still retain its soul? Usually, I find out when a jar should have been shelved after the fact. The poor thing lets out a tell-tale cracking sound, most often in a circle around the bottom where the thicker glass thins out as the sides go vertical.
One could wax for longer, no doubt. But the purpose here is practical, so I will tell you now not to buy no stinking used canning jars of one quart or less for more than 10-15 cents, unless they are sparkling clean. If you buy 12 jars for 25 cents each, they’ll cost you $3.00. New rings and lids cost another $3.89. If you have to clean them, figure in the cost of your labor. Now consider that you can go to the store during canning season and buy a dozen spanking new
Quart jars with rings and lids for $5.99 (on sale) to $7.99 (regular price). For $1 over the cost of used jars, you can buy new jars.
I confess that I still buy used jars. Sometimes they break. But not that often. What I’m really careful about is buying dirty used jars, especially regular mouth jars. If you have to soak and scrub some crappy old jars with cobwebs, mouse feces, mud wasp nests, and other shite in them, and spend over an hour doing it, just to save a buck, I guarantee that you canning career, especially if you get into any volume, will be short and frustrating. Perhaps a healthy brood of children would come in handy if you plan on rescuing flithy canning jars.
Once you have the jars, store them upside down in a box that is handy, yet out of the way. After each use, simply wash them and store them. If you wish, store them by size in separate boxes. The main thing is to have jars that are clean on the inside and easy to wash the dust off.
This article first appeared in the Sept 11, 2006 print edition of Backwoods Hipster.