It used to be that Weck jars were precious things, hard to come by outside of Germany. Then people started discovering how pretty and useful they are. Suddenly, stores from Crate & Barrel to Williams-Sonoma and beyond began stocking them.
No explanation is needed when it comes to storing dry goods in Weck jars, but when it comes to the actual act of canning in them, newcomers sometimes need a little help. A couple years ago, I wrote a step-by-step guide to using Weck jars, and while I have no intention of reinventing that particular wheel today, I do want to pluck out a few of the most commonly asked questions about canning in Weck jars and highlight them here so that they’re easy to access.
How do you tell if Weck jars are sealed? You can tell that Weck jars are sealed because the little tab on the rubber seal will point downwards. You can also test your seal in much the same way that you do with Ball jars. Once the jars are cool, remove the clips and grasp the lid of the jar. Lift off the counter an inch or two. If the seal holds fast, you’re golden. If it starts to lose its seal or breaks the suction entirely, that’s a jar that needs to be refrigerated.
Can you reuse the rubber seal? In all printed materials available in the US, they don’t recommend that you use the rubber seal for Weck jars more than once. However, I’ve been told the instructions printed in other countries tell you that it is reusable until it is stretched out or begins to lose its elasticity. Because I don’t like to take chances, I replace the rubber seal with each use.
Can you pressure can in Weck jars? I have not tried it personally, but I was told that it can be done, provided you add a third clip to the lid, in order to help prevent siphoning during processing.
Is it possible to buy replacement clips? It is! You can actually easily buy replacement clips, rubber rings and even lids for Weck jars. MightyNest, sponsor of today’s giveaway sells all the replacement parts in their canning section.
Because Weck jars are quite a bit more expensive than traditional mason jars, I tend to save them for my favorite preserves. These are the recipes that I like so much that I tend to either keep them all for myself or share them with only those people who are truly deserving.
Plum jam is one of my most beloved preserves, because its flavor reminds me of the rummy jam my mom used to make with the fruit from our backyard trees, in Southern California, when I was very young.
For this jam, I combined 5 cups of chopped plums (a mixture of yellow and red) with 2 1/2 cups of sugar. Once the juices started to run, I cooked the fruit and sugar over high heat until the fruit broke down and the syrup thickened enough to hang off the spatula in little pink windows. A squeeze of lemon juice went in at the end for balance. Processed for ten minutes in an array of Weck jars, this is one preserve I’ll be rationing this winter, to ensure it lasts until plum season returns.
If you’ve been contemplating adding some Weck jars to your kitchen, you’re going to love today’s giveaway. It’s provided by MightyNest, an online shop and community hub designed to help people find a world of products (everything from kitchenware to personal care) that are healthy and non-toxic. Here’s what MightyNest has put together for this giveaway:
20 quart canning pot with a rack designed to hold 7 quarts
6 1-liter asparagus jars
6 1/2 liter tulip jars
6 160ml mold jars
Weck jar lifter (these are great, because they don’t catch on the clips the same way that jar lifters designed for Ball jars can).
MightyNest is also hosting a giveaway of my book over on their blog this week. If you’ve not yet gotten your copy, make sure to click over to enter!
If you’re interested in entering this giveaway, here’s how to do it.
- Leave a comment on this post and tell me what one change you’d like to make to your kitchenware to make it healthier. If you’re stumped for ideas, head over to MightyNest and browse their many lovely kitchen items. You’ll be chomping at the bit for something new in no time (I want everything they sell).
- Comments will close at 11:59 pm east coast time on Friday, August 24. Winner will be chosen at random and will be posted to the blog on Saturday, August 25, 2012.
- Giveaway is open to US residents.
- One comment per person, please. Entries must be left via the comment form on the blog, I cannot accept submissions via email.
Disclosure: MightyNest provided the jars, canner and jar lifter for this giveaway at no cost to me. I have not been compensated for my time or this post. My opinions remain mine entirely.
Founded by two parents, MightyNest is an online store, resource center, and community dedicated to helping parents create healthy, safe homes. Our mission is to give families the ability to research, get advice, and buy natural, non-toxic products all in one place. From kitchenware to skin care, MightyNest’s safety experts have built the web’s broadest selection of products that are free from known toxic ingredients such as BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Lead, Melamine, Formaldehyde, Parabens, and more.
MightyNest is a place where people feel motivated and welcomed, not discouraged or judged; somewhere people are empowered to make changes in their lives, whether large or small. For the growing number of parents seeking high quality, healthy and safe alternatives to everyday products for their family, MightyNest is their most trusted resource.
I am so hoping to get rid of all of the plastic containers and bags that I use in my kitchen, fighting cancer puts enough chemicals in my body I don’t need or want anymore from plastic.
I’m almost completely non non-stick, but I’d like to kick the habit for those last little things like cooking eggs.
I store 2c of chicken or veggie broth in ziploc baggies in the freezer. It’s nice because I can store then flat, but I hate using ziplocs. I’d like to find a better (non plastic) freezer solution for all these little frozen goodies.
I would love to go all glass and stainless and purge the plastics!
(and a Weck jar set would just be a cherry on all that!)
i would use less plastic for food storage
I’m a crazy jar collector and someday (soon hopefully) we will be able to rid ourselves of our plastic food storage containers!! I just need a few more shapes and options! I also would love to have a more re-useable lids for canning!
I would absolutely start containing all goods in reusable and well sealing glass containers. No more moths!
Oh, I am trying to go as BPA-free as possible. That means making my own beans (pressure cookers for the win!), canning tomatoes, and trying to find BPA-free options for canning lids. So the Weck jars are perfect. Just perfect. And so beautiful.
I want to get rid of all plastic once and for all. Need glass storage containers without plastic lids.
I’d love to get away from using plastic (bags, tupperware, etc). I have some glassware, and I use reusable snack bags, but I still put most of my leftovers (and things to freeze) in plastic. :-/
I like the glass microwave popcorn popper.
More glass storage, less plastic. More composting.
At the top of the list? Replace my ancient and scratched nonstick pans with some stainless steel pans. After that I think I’ll finally try to have only glass for food storage.
And by rood, I meant food. 😀
I would love to get rid of my plastic storage containers and replace them with glass ones!
Thanks for the giveaway chance! So fun!
I am trying to replace all my plastic storage containers with glass. The upfront expense has taken a bit of a bite, but they are safer, cleaner, and easier to clean.
I’d love to replace our nonstick pans and invest in some good glass strorage containers for dry goods.
I would love those silicone popsicle molds… making our own popsicles would definitely make for a healthier kitchen. Also, slowly switching all plastic to glass. Not always easy with little kids who tend to break things that are breakable.
We’ve replaced a lot of the plastic items in our kitchen but all of our larger mixing spoons, ladles, spatulas, etc are plastic and I’d like to replace them with something better. Thanks!
Healthy & toxic free pots and pans! 🙂
I managed to purge my kitchen of nearly all Teflon at this last move — just cast iron, enamel, and stainless pots and pans plus one Teflon saucepan that hasn’t begun to flake yet. But I’d love to get to the point where I can chuck all the thrifted black plastic partially-melted (by me) spatulas and other implements. I’m working on it, but good-condition metal turners and other items aren’t as easy to find used and cheap as you’d think!
I would use more glass for storage and finally get rid of all that plastic!
I’m trying to eliminate as much plastic as possible, moving to glass for storage, and wooden spoons. Thanks for the terrific giveaway!
I would like to get rid of the old pots and pans in exchange for a quality dutch oven. They are so versatile and can be passed on since they last so long!
Wow! Thanks for sharing this web site! Hmm… I would start with new bottle brushes, sponges and other cleaning supplies. After that, gosh, so many choices! I sure would put the jars to good use, though!
So, I TOTALLY did not know that the lids to mason jars contained BPA. The reason why I started canning was to get away from all that! I ‘m making a swich to weck jars FOR SURE. I’m just a bit upset I was sooo unaware!
I’d love to switch to all glassware vs any plastic…thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
Stacy
Gorgeous! I’ve been weeding out the unhealthier cookware, but still need to make the change in everyday saucepans or a small skillet and a bit more glass storage. I have gotten rid of the plastic and mainly re-use jars but the lids have gone missing or are leaky. And sometimes a jar doesn’t work as well as a rectangular storage container.
But, oh, those weck jars. Lovely!
We have started growing our own fruits and veggies. Canning helps cut down on the sugar the kids are eating and preserves our harvest to enjoy year round
I’ve been wanting to get into canning for awhile now, but kinda scared to take the plunge. We are a total farmers market local food kinda of family and I really should learn to can so I can preserve all the yummy summer stuff for later use. this set would definitely be a motivator. I have spent the past hour at Mighty Nest. Awesome site. Have several items in cart, mostly for the kiddos, but kitchen wise I’m going for the Bake & Store glassware. I’m getting rid of the old Rubbermaid and Tupperware. the glass is just so much healthier and more versatile. That and it’s so vintage cool looking.
Like everyone else, I would like to eliminate plastics. I would also like to have many of the tools that would help us execute a healthy meal faster.
I am currently looking for a good quality food mill to make baby food with. Suggestions?
I would love to replace all plastic storage containers with glass and in the future buy sustainable utensils and cutting boards made of bamboo.
As a single working mom/PTA vp/caregiver for my elderly mom…..I wish that a fairy godmother would pop down and give me a few extra hours so I would have time to plant a garden/make everything homemade/get a bit more sleep so I’m not tempted to stop for fast food on the way home. Ok, not very likely, but I can still wish!
I really want to get rid of all my aluminum pans & baking trays to a healthier stainless steel
I would love to get rid of all my plastic storage containers, especially those that go in my kids lunches. Thanks 🙂
We have made the switch to all “safe” cookware and storage, but I have yet to find a glass pitcher WITH a sealable lid. We make a lot of tea and lemonade, and the only pitchers with lids I have found are all plastic. We <3 Weck!! Hope we win!!
I’d like to eliminate more plastic and use more glass and stainless. I already try not to reheat in plastic of any kind, but it is expensive to stop using it entirely. Would love love love to have that stainless canning pot. Mine are all cheap granny ware that rust after a few uses.
Like many others who have come before me… less plastic storage!
I’m beating the same drum here. I’d like to use less plastic for food storage! I love the Weck jars and always wanted to try them.
As a newly single girl about to finish up grad school, I have zero time or dollars to start my plastic free kitchen canning life of “self-preservation”. And I pack most of my food in old soft plastic yogurt containers. Ick. Hope to make some pickled okra in some of these jars soon!
I would love to add more bamboo (or just more reusable/better choices for the environment) plates, bowls, and other wares. It’s so important! 😀
We are trying to get rid of plastics in the kitchen. Those silicone popsicle molds look so much easier to remove than the plastic ones we currently have.
I’d like to get a compost pail for the kitchen I think. And I’ve been eyeballing the Weck jars for quite some time now… 🙂
I am already a huge fan of MightyNest. They are all about living a healthy, sustainable lifestyle and I love that. I recently added the reusable produce bags that I found on their site.
I would love to replace my non-stick wok with a cast-iron one. It’s the last bit of non-stick I have and it needs to go.
I love to have all glass containers and bowls stocked in my kitchen!
I would switch to glassware storage for sure. (I accidentally left this on the more recent post. haha!)
I’m currently keeping an eye out for a cast iron waffle maker.
Thanks so much for this giveaway!
Like most people, I’d love to use more glass for storage instead of plastic containers. Especially for freezing foods. I have a large, chest freezer and use a lot of plastic containers for freezing stocks, fruit, and veggies. Would love to slowly invest in heavy glass.
I would love to switch to all glass containers for leftovers, but it’s costly and I have roommates who invariably have Tupperware.
I would love to have all glass food storage – I have a bunch of plastic that I can’t afford to replace all at once!