Need help! my first canning attempt.

[snozzleberry]

Hi all,
I just finished my first batch of canned tomato sauce. Actually, it is my first time canning anything.
Having only a pair of tongs and a ladle to extract the super hot jars from the pot caused a couple of jars to slip onto their sides. When that happened, the lids popped but quickly sucked back in and the jar seems sealed. Is this normal or should I put them in the water bath for another 45 minutes? Someone please help. I am in the middle of it right now, after 5 hours, and am about to rip my hair out.
Thanks a bunch!

 

[freemotion]

I'd either re-can them or put them in the fridge for supper over the next couple of days.....Do you have jar tongs? That is a necessary piece of equipment, imo. Or just let them cool in the pot of you don't have another batch to put in....

Sorry for your oopsie. Be sure to admire the gleaming jars filled with sauce....they should stay on your counter for a few days just so you can bask in the glow!

 

[Marianne]

ditto. They might just have a soft seal. Sure won't hurt to run them through the canner again. If they're wide mouth jars and you have the headroom, (which you should), you could also put them in the freezer.

And welcome to the forum! Introduce yourself over at the 'where am I' part on the index, k? But take care of 'maters, first!