Canning & Mineral Deposits

[calendula]

I did a little canning this weekend (my tomato jam), and I noticed that all of the jars have a whitish film on them. We have pretty hard water, so I am guessing that this is some kind of mineral deposit. Is there any way to prevent this from happenning?

 

[k15n1]

I've heard of people adding 1 T vinegar per gallon of water. I find that I want to examine each jar anyway, take of the lid, check the seal, etc. For me, it's no big deal to also wipe those esposite off with a damp rag.

 

[Wifezilla]

If your water is like mine, those deposits fuse themselves to the glass and a simple wipe doesn't do a darn thing. I do a vinegar soak.

 

[calendula]

You are right Wifezilla, I cannot wipe them off. But, I will try the vinegar next time.

 

[sufficientforme]

I have the same problem, I don't measure just a dollop of vinegar in the WB canner.

 

[Emerald]

I too use vinegar in the water while canning... plus before I start canning for the year I often use one whole gallon of white vinegar(I use it for cleaning so often have several gallons anyhoo.) and about one gallon of boiling hot water and soak a sink full of empty jars and switch them out every hour... I don't know why I start with hot water as it does get cold at the end and still works.. lol but all the jars usually get the treatment once a year... my glasses get this treatment about 3 to 4 times a year. But I don't car I love my hard water... you can't find a better drinking water.

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

You are right Wifezilla, I cannot wipe them off. But, I will try the vinegar next time.

The film is lime deposit, so vinegar will work quite well.

 

[Britesea]

I wipe the deposits off when the cans have cooled off- I just add a little vinegar to a wet washcloth use that.

 

[valmom]

I notice it mostly on my lids when they come out of the water bath. I wipe them off after they dry. No biggie- it's just calcium

 

[moolie]

Some lids seem to attract more deposits than others, we have super hard water but if I get them wiped off within a day or two of canning I can usually get it off, however the deposits on the jars are quite stubborn and need vinegar.