Where are all the lids???

[Lazy Gardener]

Yes! DH goes to the hunting section, I head to canning then clearance aisle.

As ammo is to hunters, canning lids are to home canners.

 

[TexasLisa]

 

[farmerjan]

I've been reusing lids for years. I pick through and make sure the lids aren't bent, the rubber part is not compressed real flat... put them in a pan and simmer for a bit.... yeah, keep them hot and sterile for using but I like to have them simmer a bit as it seems to plump up the rubber edge a bit.
I like the tattlers and I still use the old glass bail top jars too. Jar rubbers can be found and they also can be reused to some extent. If one or two don't seal, you get a new lid or jar rubber and redo with the next batch or just chill and eat.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Re: canning: you are wise to unleash your inner squirrel. I'd like to always have 2 years worth of supplies on hand.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I always remove rings as soon as the jars are cooled. I have TONS of rings, but still have to throw some away now and then. I hate to use a ring for storage, and have bought several packages of the plastic lids, just so I don't rust out my metal ones. My hard water is also hard on them.

And, I always rinse and dry or wipe down the lid and top of jar before placing it into storage. There can be some product seepage in the canning process which can leave debris at the jar/lid interface, causing lid deterioration.

 

[Hinotori]

I found this online, but look at the price! Could this be a fake website?

12PCS Regular Integrated Mason Lid-Ship From USA

Don t be fooled by others with low prices read their checkout notes they are out of stock and you will be waiting 3 4 weeks if not months for them to ship We are a producer We have stock and we are shipping it daily We currently have a heavy order volume but we still ship and bottle every day...

www.ballmasonjarlids.com

https://www.freshpreserving.com/ is the actual Ball/Kerr site. They don't have an online store.

I'd be really cautious about giving personal info to that site you linked to. It's brand new and the product logos aren't correct in looks. Screams fishing site to me.

 

[FarmerJamie]

Grabbed two 4 packs of vacuum seal bags yesterday. Only lids were with the jar sets. Don't need more jars right now.

Went to the area flea market with my son. Got a mess of local peppers and okra to freeze tomorrow. The nearby store with the canning supplies was packed, did not feel like braving that mess

 

[Hinotori]

I've been to the Lehman's store once when we lived in Virginia and drove up to Ohio to visit hubby's uncle back in the early 2000s. I still have and use the giant metal mixing bowls and 2 gallon bail mason jar.

 

[farmerjan]

I ordered vaccuum bags online through e-bay, the precut sized ones, back late last fall. Pints, qts, and gallons. Also got some that were like 2 gallon, but you can cut the rolls to length. I cut big so I can then reuse them after washing and still have enough length to be able to do a new seal. Can't remember the company, will have to look but they were very reasonable and they shipped fast. I have plenty to do me. Got them in like 100 or 300 count, at a time. I do have an extra vaccuum sealer... it is one of the "titanium" food savers. Already had one, and one day about 2 years ago, saw this one on e-bay and bid and got it for about half the price of new. Didn't need it but now am glad that I did. I was going to resell it and never got around to it. So have 2, plus a small little one that was my very first one, that is on the counter for little stuff. It doesn't work as fast as it used to and I expect that I will one day go to use it and it won't "vaccuum" .... No complaints, it is over 25-maybe 30 yrs old.

Don't know about the status at Tattler, and I know that some don't like them, but I get along okay and they are nice to be able to reuse. Yep, I do reuse the other ones too if they look good.... and even reuse like jelly jars & lids from the store. Especially for jelly and pickles.

 

[farmerjan]

Was in Walmart today for the first time since the mandatory mask BS went into effect. Got cat food... I get the 44 lb bag of "outdoor cat food" and the 34 lb bag that is gourmet flavored and mix for the barn cats. Went down and there was next to nothing on the canning jar aisle except for some mason jar drinking lids, some sprouts lids and some cheesecloth. I picked up 2 pkgs of the cheese cloth just for future use. Dollar Gen doesn't have any canning stuff, our Co-Op farm bureau stores don't have anything.... haven't checked all the ace hardware stores. Thank goodness I have alot of stuff and not doing much right now due to the moving situation....Haven't been to Rural King but they had some advertised a couple weeks ago. Haven't been to TSC but I doubt there is any there either. Lowe's didn't have anything, they used to have it this time of year.....

Trick for old boxes of lids..... soak them in hot steaming water separated out.... to help "plump" up the rubber part of the lid. Often will help on old lids or on reusing lids.