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Farm Kitchen:  Using old blue canning jars  |
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Hosanna
True Blue Farmgirl
466 Posts
Hosanna
Alton
Virginia
466 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 3:52:22 PM
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| Hey farmgirls.When I moved to my new husband's new farm, we discovered tons and tons of canning jars stored in barns on the property. Some were blue. I rescued them and they look great in my vintage pantry, but they would be even better if I could use them in can with. It is safe to use the old blue jars for canning? These are the ones that have screw tops, not the other kind with the glass lids. Any thoughts on this? |
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Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 3:55:43 PM
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Love those beautiful jars, I dont know about the canning but I would use them for sure with spices, rice , ect. if you cant. That is a great find hope you can enjoy them in some which a way!
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 http://farmgirlingastyle.blogspot.com/
www.KKJD1.etsy.com |
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CherryMeDarlin
True Blue Farmgirl
602 Posts
Cherry
Odenville
AL
USA
602 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 4:09:22 PM
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Oh, Hosanna, Karen is so right! That IS a great find! You should be able to find out from you local Extension office about re-using them if no farmgirls can answer that question for you. But I know there will be an answer for you from one of these girls! They know EVERYthing! It's wonderful! Remember me if you decide you have too many and want to barter some of them. And, oh, yeah, welcome to MJF!! You're gonna love it here!
~~Cherry~~
http://cherrymedarlin.blogspot.com
"A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 4:14:56 PM
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If they are "BALL" jars , just go to their web site and ask, if not do a test on one, see if it seals. Other wise, I think I would be useing them for other things, and/or selling part or use for gifts? There are lots & lots of uses besides canning.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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MissDotty
Farmgirl in Training
49 Posts
Anna
Coralville
IA
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 10:53:12 PM
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As long as there are no nicks or scratches in the rim, you can use the blue jars the same as the clear, they are standard sizes take the same lids.
i wouldn't though, as they are quite valuable as a collectable. |
Edited by - MissDotty on Jun 25 2009 11:00:19 PM |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2009 : 09:47:10 AM
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My mom just told me that those old blue canning jars , the lids that went with them at the time, were lead based, so you need to find out if the lead could have leeched into the glass.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2009 : 4:48:31 PM
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I agree that as long as there are no scratches, nicks, or other irregularities in the rims you shouldn't have a problem. Try sealing them with jus water inside (if you're willing to spend the money to throw away the lids) to make sure they get a good seal.
I had one a few years back that I thought was good, but just wouldn't seal, maybe no chips in the rim but there was a "bump" of glass that wouldn't let it seal properly. I had pickles in it, so I ended up throwing them away.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Mother Hen
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Cindy
Peck
ID
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2009 : 4:50:23 PM
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Hosana, I've used blue as well as clear, as did my mother, for canning. Just buy the new lids and rings to use and be sure you check for any chips or dings in the rim as well as any cracks in the jars.
Happy Canning! (how wonderful for you, you found a farmgirl "gold mine")
Cindy
FARMGIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2009 : 07:21:52 AM
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| I used blue and green canning jars for years until I was in a antique/junk shop and they had them for sale. Don't remember how much they were asking for them but seemed like a lot at the time. I had several of them in my pantry full of greenbeans and tomatoes. I haven't used them for canning since. I found some oil lamp thingies that have a screw band that fits canning jars. I made oil lamps out of them and have one sitting on my fireplace mantle. |
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ruby slipper
Farmgirl at Heart
6 Posts
6 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2009 : 11:56:51 AM
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I just recently read somewhere (I am sorry I forget where it was!) to NOT use the green jars. It had to do with more current safety standards than when the jars were manufactured and the heat levels they can tolerate.
I agree with CherryMeDarlin, check with your extension office. I would probably err on the side of caution and not use them for actual canning.
What about freezer jams?
Blessings-
Bonnie |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9094 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9094 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2009 : 3:20:24 PM
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I pick them up when I see them, sometimes they are .25 cents sometimes I see them for ten dollars. I buy the ones for .25 cents. I don't can anymore, but I do have them filled with buttons and marbles and jingle bells.
Nancy Jo
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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Hosanna
True Blue Farmgirl
466 Posts
Hosanna
Alton
Virginia
466 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2009 : 5:55:20 PM
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Thanks, ladies. I think I have decided to NOT can with the blue jars; I don't want to risk ruining them. Besides, I have all those dozens and dozens more regular ones I found! Although, some of those look pretty old also. I even found some in the woods out here......
I am not going to sell my blue ones; but there is a antique store in my small hometown that has a bunch for sale; they came out of the owner's mother's "stash". I work at the antique store from time to time, so if you want some, email me for the info. I can ship them to you. They're all about $3-$6, and include lids..... and there is a lot of them. Several dozen. My email is: blanchardfarm@gmail.com |
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Farm Kitchen: Using old blue canning jars |
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Using old blue canning jars
They would look great filled with all your herbs that you harvest and dry for winter use. I agree with Ga Girl