My Grandma always reused all the lids after boiling them in some water with baking soda. I have done the same thing. You are not "supposed" to do that, but it never hurt anyone here. And now I am a grandma, so our family has done it for many years.
Can I reuse these jar seals if they weren't really used for canning?
- Thread starter Bebop
- Start date
patandchickens
Crazy Cat Lady
The only reason not to reuse them is that you have a greater chance of seal failure. (Because the reddish rubberish compound that is around the edge, that softens slightly to conform tightly to the jar lip, will "take a set" after being used and may not conform to the next jar as well).
If you don't mind a greater chance of seal failure, I see no reason not to reuse them.
If these have never been *screwed down HARD*, they are probably in much better shape than lids that have been actually canned with... less indented on that sealing compound. So there would be "less of a greater chance"
of seal failure.
I would not use them for pressure canning; I would not use them for gifts; but if there was something I could live with some of 'em not sealing at the outset, and that I would not be too distraught about the possibility of a few failures in storage, I cannot see why NOT to reuse them, if you want.
Although, as others say, obviously brand new is better.
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
If you don't mind a greater chance of seal failure, I see no reason not to reuse them.
If these have never been *screwed down HARD*, they are probably in much better shape than lids that have been actually canned with... less indented on that sealing compound. So there would be "less of a greater chance"
of seal failure.I would not use them for pressure canning; I would not use them for gifts; but if there was something I could live with some of 'em not sealing at the outset, and that I would not be too distraught about the possibility of a few failures in storage, I cannot see why NOT to reuse them, if you want.
Although, as others say, obviously brand new is better.
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
I use them when I make 'freezer jam'; it doesn't get canned, so they are just covers for the jam.
Also, I sometimes use them to make decorations with young children. We paint one side of the seal, cut out a picture to fit the other side, glue a ribbon on the unpainted side, then add the cut-out picture. It makes a nice tree ornament at Christmas, from grandchildren to grandma.
Also, I sometimes use them to make decorations with young children. We paint one side of the seal, cut out a picture to fit the other side, glue a ribbon on the unpainted side, then add the cut-out picture. It makes a nice tree ornament at Christmas, from grandchildren to grandma.
