Preserving Jars and Spares

Over the years I have managed to accumulate a fair amount of preserving jars (a few have also been broken along the way) but one thing that really bugs me is not being able to use a jar because you can no longer get the consumables to use with it or those said consumables become so expensive it prices them right out of you price zone and they then stand dormant, hidden in a box or cupboard out of the way.  The more so now I am bottling more and more items.

That's when I started experimenting with other closures and in fact have used Leifheit seals and rings for some of my original dual purpose Kilner jars and they have worked perfectly well.  There are also cheaper jars out there with plain gold seals that work just as well.  It is just a matter of trying things and being sensible about such choices in the process.

However if you have more bottles that you cannot get closures for then it is well worth contacting "The Kilner Jar Man" at  http://www.preservingjarparts.co.uk/lids.htm.  If you have original rings for the bottles but they are in a bit of a state he can recover them for you so that you get more use out of them for a fair charge.  He also trades and sells original Kilner jars/similar jars and spares and new Leifheit jars and closures.

The other day when I was bottling my rhubarb I noticed that the jars I was using i.e. the new Kilner jars - the rings were getting a little rubbed and not "gold" in places anymore.  One of my issues with the new jars was that they had not given an option of being able to buy replacement rings for the jars (the seals yes) from the launch of the new range.  However by chance I was trawling the Internet for the best price for some bottles (research) and I managed to come across the ring closures there.  

Please note these are not my pictures but ones on Mr Denyer's website.

I have bought mine from there 2 x 6 replacement rings and two packs of seals x 12 plus P & P = £20 (sold as a joint item  however they do sell them separately) - but at least my jars are going to be back in use  So I was well chuffed.   The jar rings and seals arrived within two days of the order.  I shall be using Mr Denyer's operation again for replacement consumables for the current range of jars but also to get my original rings refurbished for my mum's original dual purpose Kilner jars that are also laying in the cupboard.

Well chuffed for another reason as well.  A few years ago I had bought some Bormioli Quattro Stagioni jars a few years ago and its not often I have come across places selling the closures. I bought about 20 jars at the time (for homemade pasta sauce) and they have been stood in the box in the cupboard but I have found out that the Kilner jar rings and seals fit them perfectly.  A few have already been used and the rest are about to be pressed into service. Being able to do this i.e. reuse items in this way fits very firmly into my ethos/way of thinking.  Where I come from there is an old saying:

"If its not brock why mend it"!

I wish more people took that point of view.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED ARTICLE BUT THE SUBJECTIVE VIEW OF MYSELF ON SERVICES/PRODUCTS WHICH I HAVE ENCOUNTERED.  I ONLY SPEAK AS I FIND AND I HAVE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE EFFICIENCY AND SPEED OF THIS SERVICE.

We also go to Lidl quite frequently and OH eats pickled gherkins like they are going out of fashion.  They come in very large jars which will be ideal for my pickled onions.  I am currently looking to find new lids so that I can recycle these.  Will pop up the source when I have had a little more time to locate - time is at a premium right now.

Its a wet n horrible day here in Peterborough what I call "Caravan weather" will probably put the radio on and listen whilst I work.  Usually Heart Radio in the back of the house although I do like Pirate Radio I get a better reception for that station on my computer.

Right must get on  - catch you later.

Pattypan

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