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.
Jar funnel!
A funnel is my go to tool, and that is a lovely set of tools
I lost my internet connection the first time I attempted to comment. Hopefully this won’t be a repeat. 🙂
I grew up watching my grandmother can all sorts of vegetables and make many different jams. I always wanted to learn how to do it myself. I just started a garden and have plans for berry bushes next season.
My heavy duty/bottomed stainless steel sauce pan.
A pot big enough so you’re not constantly wondering if/when the jam may spill over. Now there’s a thought. Ha!
Actually, my favorite piece of equipment is my husband because he’s the one that makes our jam. ?
my favorite canning tool, if you can call it that, is the set of towels that i got in a towel swap – colorful terry cloths that i use on the counter to have a place for the jars to rest when they come out of the canner. 🙂
This is my first first time preserving and I am excited to start.
My number one tool is a shallow cuisinart stainless steel skillet – I makes very quick work of cooking down berries for jam. I won’t use anything else.
I’m new to jam making, so I’m still figuring out my favorites – but so far it would have to be my jar lifter.
The last jam I made was freezer peach jam. My favorite tool I used was the aluminum canning funnel set that was my Grandmother’s.
My paring knife is my must have for canning.
My funnel!
My favorite canning tool is your book, Naturally Sweet Food in Jars! Second to that is a friend to keep me company (and help cut up fruit).
P.S. I put in the survey that strawberry was my favorite jam to make, only because neither raspberry nor blackberry was an option.
I always need a good whisk!
I love a small ladle that I use to fill 8 ounce jars. It is the perfect size to fill the jar with very little mess on the rim (no funnel needed).
I have been looking all over for a good stainless steel pot that is affordable!
I love my stainless steel wide mouth funnel. It has never let me down.
I’d love to have a good food mill. I don’t need one very often, but it would be so much easier than trying to mash food through a sieve! I mostly use my enameled cast iron pot for canning because it’s the only really heavy pan I own, but a more forgiving surface would be nice.
I have not canned before, but I want to!
I have some “inherited” canning tools from my Mom but a new set would be amazing. What a fabulous package! I think my curren5 favorite tool is the jar lifter!
I am just trying to get into canning and so I don’t have any of the necessary tools yet.
I need to use the jar holder apparatus thingy that helps you safely remove jars from the processing bath… do NOT try to use kitchen tongs ? learned that the hard way!
My most requested jam is Monkey Butter. I doubt it stays in the jar long after I give it away!
As for the giveaway, I would dearly love the food mill!
I’m a newbie at canning so no favorites just yet. These tools would be amazing though!
With rubber spatulas I’d be lost,
What a great package!
This is great thank you both.
I love all the OXO products that we have at home and this set is no exception!
Love this set – Fingers Crossed!
My canning funnel!
New supplies are always nice!
Definitely love my canning funnel, jar lifter, and blossom trivet! I also have a silicone spoon that I impulse-bought at a hardware store, which has become my go-to canning spoon (I don’t use it for anything else).
my pear knife and pan i mean without it my hands cramp up this knife my grandma gave me best knife ever
I would love these tools!! I love cooking, and have ventured into jam making…
I have some of these supplies but looking forward to adding the others and sharing the duplicates
Would use the tools in my regular routine.
My grandmother’s foodmill!
that would be awesome, my canning stuff it starting to show its advanced age
I don’t have much, just using what I have. I’m still kinda new to canning.
I love canning and would enjoy some new supplies!!!
Can I say I am addicted to canning. people think I am nuts. but canning is a passion/addiction I hope there is no cure for.
I love my stainless steel pot! Second place is the funnel, but would love to have a food mill for tomato jam!
Can’t can without a jar lifter! But I’m pretty sure the lid lifter is superfluous 🙂
My strawberry huller is my go-to tool.
I haven’t started yet so I don’t have any supplies. I have been watching tons of videos about the process!
I have never tried to make jam but I’d like to.
I have a steel pot that I use but its small. I wish I had better tools.
Would love this. Planning a 10,000 sq foot garden and this would help with all the produce! I will be growing food for my needy students.
I love my strawberry huller
A new pot for jam would be awesome! My surprisingly favorite canning tool is a Ball (I think).funnel. it sits in jars perfectly for the exact amount of jam I need.