Are you on the search for equipment to elevate your jam making game? Look no further than these tools from OXO and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a set!
I often think of July as the pinnacle of the jam making season. It is the moment when berries, peaches, currants, cherries, plums, and even early apples are all competing for space at markets and in our kitchens. I find that the secret to being able to make the most of the abundance is to be prepared with sturdy, durable equipment. To that end, I’ve teamed up with my friends at OXO to show you some gear that can help make your jam making efforts a little easier.
Most critical is a good pot to cook your jam. Some people like using copper preserving pans while others prefer enameled cast iron. While those are both good, my preference is always a low, wide, stainless steel pan that can hold about 8 quarts. Stainless steel is a non-reactive metal, so it will never impart a metallic flavor into your preserves (copper is reactive and can leave your jam tasting tinny if you don’t use enough sugar).
Stainless steel is also the most forgiving surface. If you burn your jam in an enameled cast iron pot, you might be able to soak and scrub the burned spot off, but the finish will never be the same. When you burn in stainless steel, elbow grease and steel wool will eventually make you whole again.
Right now, the jam pan in constant rotation in my kitchen is the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Pro 8 Quart Covered Casserole (OXO | Amazon). It is similar is size, shape, volume, and performance to my favorite All-Clad jam pan, but at a third of the price. I often briefly simmer small stone fruit and let them cool before pitting to make the process easier, and the glass lid makes it easy to see when to turn off the heat. It’s also got volume markers up the side of the interior, which helps you have an idea of what your yield is going to be. All in all, it’s an excellent pan.
Another tool I turn to all summer (and fall!) long is the OXO Good Grips Food Mill (OXO | Amazon). It can strain out the seeds from berry and grape pulp, separates tomato skins from the meat, and does a masterful job of making applesauce that is smooth but not entirely without texture. I went through several food mills before this one found its way into my kitchen, and if it broke, I would replace it with an identical model.
Finally, the hand tools. I would be lost without a sharp paring knife (OXO | Amazon), a good peeler (OXO | Amazon), a heat-proof spatula (OXO | Amazon), and a citrus squeezer (OXO | Amazon). I particularly like having these tools in bright colors because that helps them stand out from the peels and stem ends (I can’t be the only person who’s ever accidentally thrown away a peeler because it blended into the scraps too well).
Thanks to the good folks at OXO, I have a second set of jam making gear to give away to one lucky Food in Jars reader. Please use the widget below to enter.
Disclosure: OXO has provided the equipment you see pictured here, along with the second giveaway set, at no cost to me. No additional funds were exchanged and all opinions are entirely my own.
I started canning only a couple years ago following recipes that made large batches. But now I like making your smaller batch recipes. A yield of 4-6 nice half pints allows me to make all varieties and have enough to enjoy and give away plus… it takes less time! So I’ve been using my very large enameled cast iron which is just a beast… lovely but for small batches a beast. And I don’t want to hurt it — its also a beauty!! So I’ve been thinking about investing in a solid stainless jam pot – but the expense! I would love to win this lovely OXO pot! 🙂
I just finished a batch of the recent NYTImes Apricot jam, and also the Sweet Cherry Chutney recipe from foodinjars (so awesome!!!) and then my favorite Strawberry vanilla. And now the peaches are in… oh my! 🙂
I used my instantpot to sterilize the jars, super easy
My mother makes the best fig/strawberry jam. It’s time for me to get some equipment and learn how to do it. This would be great.
My stainless strainer is getting a bit old.
I love my heavy Indian pressure cooker and the instant pot these days for jam making.
I’ve never made jam (yet!)
This time of year in particular, I could not do without my Progressive Cherry Pitter. It does four at a time and it actually works. I bought it on a whim at the grocery store and have rarely been as happy with an impulse purchase like this.
What a beautiful set of new tools! I’ve become dependent on my tongs with rubber tips. I find them easier that a jar lifter for removing jars from the canning pot.
I can’t live without my favorite spoon (go figure!)
Can’t live without my gir ladle
I can’t jam without my spatulas. Seriously good at getting all the sticky yumminess off the sides of the pot while cooking and also making sure every available bit goes into the jars.
I would love to have this whole set to encourage me to can more!
My jam funnel is my favorite. I couldn’t make jam without it.
I have a vintage funnel and jar lifter and my grandmother’s canning pot. Love using these time tested tools.
Good Mason jars. Anything else you can make it work. No jar. No jam!!!
My funnel. And the little magnetic poker thing to grab the kids. I used to use tongs but now I can’t imagine how that was ever done. Thank you for the chance to win!
I don’t have tools, but I do have a few jars.
My jar grippers are my favorite tool. I’m loving that food mill and want one now!
Oddly enough, the freezer just may be my most essential jam making tool! When fruit is in season, typically it all is in season at once. Or at least the fruits I use most are all ripe at the same time. So, I prep the fruit and freeze it in appropriate quantities to make into jam later. Sometimes it is a week, sometimes a month later. Breaking down the task into two stages works very well here.
The progressive canning ladle that you recommended a few years back. It works great.
I can’t live without my Dutch oven to make jams, it’s the best! Plus my potato masher!
I’d love to win these supplies; making jam as each fruit comes into season. Cherries today, waiting for apricots and peaches be t.
I have a pair of nice long tongs that I use and my most favorite wooden spoon. I’ve always wanted a food mill for canning tomatoes.
My Maslin pan from Lee Valley tools is the jam pan in this house, but that food mill is calling my name!
I need a better jam pot!
Would love to update the canning supplies!
Need this…and my stainless funnel and wooden spoons.
I love my stainless steel funnel…….could not do without.
I can’t live without my helpers – my sons – and a good stainless steel sieve
Yes, I would love to have your second set of “tools” – apricots and strawberry’s! Here we come!
I don’t have any tools– unless you count the jars! But I’d love that food mill for making baby food too!
I haven’t made jam in years. But I bought your low sugar book and I hope to start.
I think my most essential piece is my Kuhn rikon spring knife. I reach for it every time I prep fruit. Pots, etc. change based on what I’m making and how much in making, but I always reach for the same knife.
That should read paring knife…
Cant leave without my strawberry huller!
I can’t live without my 8 oz jelly jars and a potato masher.
Some new tools would making jam even sweeter!
I recently graduated from my local Master Food Preserver program and I don’t have much experience yet with different tools…I don’t have a favorite tool yet. Thank you for the information about these products!
My Old Weck canning jars – they are so big and fat – just love them – bought them around 30 years ago – still look brand new
I can always use another shallow stainless steel pan, especially when making two jams at once.
My Kuhn Rikon 4th burner pot is indispensable!
I would love to replace the stainless steel pan my wife inherited from her mother in 1989 when we go married.
I would love these tools to make jam, Especially at this time of year. Everyone always wants more of my strawberry rhubarb jam.
I have a strange fascination with the magnetic lid lifter!
I would love to to have new and beautiful tools to can and make jam with! All mine are old and broken. That’s my favorite thing to do is make all kinds of jam. Every body loves my homemade jams. I really like my strawberry rhubarb jam.
Thank you so much for a chance to win this beautiful new canning tools.
Hugs, Teresa
My canning pot has a dented lid….. My favorite piece of equipment is the jar lifter….even tho I’m not a gifted lifter.
My ancient Henckel 4-star knives from the 70’s are always heavily involved with the fruit preparation. I keep them deadly sharp which I have a few scars from, but they always perform.
I would be thrilled to receive these products! I have wonderful memories of canning with my mom and grandmother… peach preserves, chili sauce, and pickles. It would be an adventure to finally attempt it on my own.
I’ve been entranced with fruit caramels lately so the blender has been in active use. Otherwise, I hardly ever use the thing.
Almost all my canning tools are ancient, I would love some replacements!
My stainless steel pot is also a fave, I just the sides were a bit higher so I could do slightly larger batches.