How to sterilise jars … kitchen helper
If you are going to the effort of making jams, preserves and condiments it’s important to take the time to sterilise your jars, neglecting this important step can compromise all your hard work and make your jars a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs. Ensuring that you sterilise your jars can also add more life to your preserves, giving them a longer shelf life.
So, what’s the easiest, foolproof way to sterilise jars? Keep reading to find out.
There’s a number of different methods for sterilising jars – you can sterilise them in the oven, on the stove, in the dishwasher, and even the microwave. We think that sterilising jars in the oven is the best method. Here’s how to do it:
1. Preheat oven to 130C.
2. Wash jars in hot, soapy water or the dishwasher, rinse well and then place jars and lids on a baking tray. They do not have to be dried before going in the oven.
3. Heat in the oven for a minimum of 20 minutes to sterilise.
4. Remove the tray from the oven. Use oven mitts to handle the jars and lids and fill the jars while both the jar and the jam are hot, as this will stop the jars from cracking.
5. Leave some room at the top of the jar for the jam to expand as it cools and seal after 15 minutes.
