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.
More glass containers, and cast iron skillet to replace a non-stick pan. Store spices in glass containers.
I want to replace the last of my plastic tupperware with glass storage. That and replace the last teflon pan still in the kitchen.
I am soooo loving this giveaway!
I would love to try Weck Jars for canning. I’ve been eyeing them for a couple of months, but can’t reasonably buy them because I have so many Ball jars to fill… Since last summer, I’ve been canning my own foods – home organic grown as well as local produce to become more self-sufficient and sustainable. I’ve been moving from plastic to glass storage – jars are great storage vessels! Especially the vintage blue that we can’t can in anymore! Thanks!!!
I’d get a chemtex coffee brewer to replace my plastic single drip brewer! There’s little I like more than a good cup of coffee!
I still need to replace my plastic utensils with metal or wood ones. I would love to start canning though this fall! This would be great.
This is awesome! I’d love to get rid of my metal canning lids and use completely glass! That would be my change. I’ve gotten several things already through the change over process, but my canning remains the same. 🙁 I was given a bunch of Ball glass lids and rubber rings, but I don’t have the right closures to use them, and I’m not sure what exactly that would be.
Glass for storage, organic herb garden, dried beans!
I’d like to get rid of plastic things and replace them with more glass/wood/metal/ceramic. I also need to knit some more dishcloths and launder ’em more frequently!
I would like to get back to packing a cloth napkin with my lunch everyday and upgrade my tupperware to get rid of plastic.
I’d replace all teflon with safer metals and all my plastics with glass containers.
I would love to learn the process of “jarring” produce from my organic garden, so that I don’t waste any of what I’ve grown. I have phased out all canned foods because of the BPA lining, and spend quite a lot of money on organic fruits and veggies that are not in season. It would be a great opportunity to learn myself and teach my daughters this art as well and be able to give jars of spiced apples or pickled okra as gifts that I have made!
I would like to switch over the remaining non-stick cookware I have.
I’d like to clear out all of the heavily processed foods and replace it all with what I’ve made myself. I’m well on my way, but there’s just so much. More canning is high on my list, though.
I’d like to get rid of all of the plastic containers, or at least get some new BPA free containers.
I would LOVE to switch out all of my canning jars to ones without BPA. I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time. This could really be a great start! : )
We got rid of all the plastic containers in our kitchen! Next step is to add some of these super awesome canning jars into the mix.
I’m trying to get rid of all my plastic containers, I use regular mason jars for a lot of storage but they still have the plastic on the inside of the lid. I’d love to be able to replace them with all glass!
I would love to clear my pantry of processed foods and focus only on whole foods. We’re pretty good about that now, but some things still manage to sneak their way in. I’d love that glass microwave popcorn popper from MightyNest! We make it on the stove now, but I have a feeling this would be so much easier.
I would l0ve to start canning my own food to be in control of both the contents and the container. These look lovely!
No more processed foods!
I recently transitioned from standard teflon coated cookware to cast iron. YAY for me! My next step is my bakeware – stoneware to be exact. All that aluminum makes me nervous!
Besides getting bpa free canning supplies, I want to change my plastic cooking utensils to either stainless steel or silicon.
I would like to replace all my plastic storage containers with glass.
Eventually replacing all of my plastic food storage containers with glass would be nice.
Oh my gosh! What an incredible giveaway!! I have wanting to switch to glass straws in our home and was thrilled to see them on their site. But wowie it’s difficult to chose just one thing. I nothing else, thank you for introducing me to Mighty Nest!
I would like to get rid of all my nonstick pans in favor of cast-iron.
I’ve been trying to figure out how to store things in the freezer without plastic bags. Some things work well in wide mouth pint jars (berries, corn, green beans), I put the jars in the box the jars are sold in and stack the boxes in the chest freezer. But there are lots of other things that seem to work best (and take up less space) in bags; roasted peppers, spinach/kale, stone fruit. I also use plastic bags to store most of the produce in my fridge. Surely there must be a better way.
I’d like to replace all of my plastic to glass and non stick to stainless steel. Slow process, but I am working on it!
There are so many things I would love to do. I really want to switch all of my tupperware to glass containers. That’s actually my first goal. Next I would go for the Weck canning jars. I like the reusable aspect even more than the BPA and aluminium free aspect! Another thing that would be fantastic are the reusable lunch bags. I have considered doing bento boxes for my kid’s lunches, but all of those (made in China!!) plastic boxes are scary. I wish I could find one or two kawaii stackable bentos that are made entirely from stainless steel. In fact, most of the accessories that go with bentos are also made of plastic – the sauce containers, pics and mini tupperwares. I wish I could revolutionize the bento industry!!
Helen I got my preschooler a Planetbox lunch box set. It’s really pricy, but it’s all Stainless, and the company is run by a mom that seems really concerned with the safety of the products. Some parts are made in China though I think, sigh. But it’s a really great product definitely worth check out…
I would like for everything to be BPA free.
If I could change something about my kitchenware, it would be to eliminate plastic. I am getting there, slowly, but I still have quite a way to go. I’d also love to can everything I need for the year and eliminate the “BPA or no BPA” question in canned veggies like tomatoes and beans.
I’d like to get new reusable cloth lunch bags/boxes for my family without the plastic lining which is so yucky after years of heavy use… hard to clean too.
I would like to get rid of processed foods and eat whole foods that are nutritious and yummy. I’ve never canned before but I have been wanting to Surat.
EEEEE! This giveaway is so exciting! I have been wanting to try Weck jars, but have been deterred because of the price. We are slowly getting rid of all the Tupperware I have collected over the years in favor of glass. It has been a slow process, because the nice glass ones can be on the pricey side. But, we are more than halfway there!
I would love to start composting and make a worm bin!
yeah, ditto the bpa-free canning lids, as part of getting rid of bpa altogether. Hoping that Ball/Kerr will get with the program and do it.
These jars look awesome! With the birth of my first son last year we made some healthy changes in our kitchen. I made all my own baby food and am trying to keep up the trend with feeding non-processed/mostly organic foods. I tried canning last week for the first time and love it! I can’t wait to do more!
I would like to figure out how to freeze with out plastic (I find glass breaks too often for me). And replacing those BPA canning lids is high on my list as well!
thought I left a comment earlier but it posted as “needing approval” or something, and I don’t see it at all now, so trying again! I’d love to switch from non stick cookware to cast iron. I’ve heard great things about it but have never had a pan!
Well, I have been transitioning over to tattler lids for canning already to reduce the bpa in my kitchen, but the weck jars are just so much prettier. I think my next step would be expanding my cast iron collection, and learning to treat it better so I can finally give up on my non stick pans. I seem to cook hotter than they like and I ruin even the nice ones.
I want to replace all of my plastic containers with glass. I am also wanting to go all stainless steel cookware (I don’t like teflon coated cookware, I don’t have any of that stuff!)! I figure stainless steel is the best way to go when it comes to cooking on the stove!
Thanks for a chance to win this awesome Weck Jar set!
I’d love to get cast-iron cookware (especially the lovely enamelled kind)!
I’d love to use all cast-iron pans, especially the lovely kind with the enamel finish.
Thanks for the giveaway, I would love to try the Weck jars for some of my favorite preserves! I’m working on cooking more foods from scratch to eliminate all the processed foods in my kitchen. Canning definitely helps me to do that.
I would like to replace my plastic storage with glass
I would love to switch out my nonstick cookware/skillets for well seasoned cast iron 🙂
We want to switch from nonstick to cast iron pots and pans.
Less plastics – storage and utensils!
I would like to replace the rest of my plastic food storage containers with glass.
I’d love to get rid of my unhealthy non-stick pans for good!
New Baby = making baby food time! And I don’t want to be doing it with BPA plastic!
The jam looks yummy. And, I totally understand using the Weck jars for preserves that are beautiful, to be used at home, or to go only to the really deserving! I hope I win the giveaway because I know some very deserving people…
I would really really like to switch to all bpa-free canning stuff. It is a lofty goal, and one that will take some time- but it will be well worth it!
I would love to be able to replace all the plastic storage containers in my kitchen. Mostly because my breast cancer had positive estrogen receptors and I want to limit any more exposure.
I would get rid of all foods in plastic and in cans. I am slowly but surely working my way there but it is hard and expensive.
I would love to replace my plastic storage containers for some nice new glass ones.
I am committed to only buying recycled kitchen items. From thrift store mainly. This helps to lessen pollution from manufacturing. This is why I did not register for wedding gifts! But I love canning and hate buying lids. Weck jars are hard to find used. These jars would help!
I’d love to replace my old plastic storage containers and utensils with healthier alternatives!
I’m trying to replace the plastic storage containers and the non-stick skillet.
I would like to get rid of any and all plastic in my kitchen especially for left over containers.
I would get rid of the non stick pans all together! And stock more whole grain foods in our pantry.
I would like to use less plastic and more glass.
I would like to minimize our usage of plastic storage containers for leftovers.
I have already converted to glass food storage containers…I would like to get some stainless steel bakeware.
I am in the process of shifting from plastic to stainless steel and glass. It’s a major coup for me when I find a good quality glass jar in a thrift store for a good price – would be huge if I won a whole bunch of gorgeous ones!
Thanks –
Beth
I would love to switch to all glass containers and get rid of my plastic ones!
I would love to get rid of all the plastic food storage containers in my drawer. And I’ve got a few plastic utensils that aren’t heat safe too that probably have seen better days!
I would like to work on getting rid of the store bought lunches I serve to my kiddos. but it is so easy to grap a hand full of chicken nugets and warm in the microwave and serve. Right now its homemade breakfast and most of the time homemade dinners, but lunches grrrr
I would like to get rid of my plastic and found healthier ways to store leftovers, etc.
I would like to get a steamer basket to steam veggies in a pot rather than in the microwave. Or a toaster oven would go a long way toward breaking my microwave dependence.
I am in the process of getting rid of plastic cutting boards. I’ve finally realized there is just really no way of making them work without the risk of plastic in the food. I have some bamboo cutting boards on the way. I will definitely feel better about cutting on them!
I’d like to finish getting rid of the plastic in our kitchen – non-stick coatings on 2 skillets and the dozens of plastic storage containers. We’re well on the way to plastic-free with our pots & pans, but storage is still plastic-y. The Weck jars would be a nice way to start.
If you haven’t tried cast iron yet, it’s awesome!
Ok- after taking a glance at all the alternatives that are out there for food storage I realized I need to make some adjustments. I think the first step I should make is changing how I pack my lunches….. time to rethink all the plastic baggies that my food gets stored in and the disposable plastic ware I put into my mouth.
Have been using Mason jars for canning jellies, jams and stewed tomatoes for years. Had no idea until reading this post that the lids contained BPA. Thank you for sharing this information. Gradually switching everything over to BPA free in my house as much as possible. This would certainly help. Best to all.
I’m slowly clearing out my plastic and going to glass and ceramic. Need some good ideas to take the place of freezer storage items.
I would like to try weck jars. I also would like to can all of my fruits and vegetables. I have canned for years but I have been too nervous to use a pressure cooker and this has limited me.
These are such pretty jars! I’ve been using jars to hold leftovers for both my husband and my lunches. But I still don’t know exactly what to do for my kids. The one time I sent a glass jar to school with my daughter, her teacher broke it while she was putting it again. I’d love to hear suggestions!
I would change to non-BPA products. BTW I LOVE Weck jars!!!
I REALLY want to replace all my food storage containers with glass …
Drooling over this… I am working on making my kitchen healthier and Eco friendly the first thing is to start using cloth napkins instead of paper napkins. Then replacing paper towels. That is my starting point… and using as much fresh local pruducts as I can. Shuttermom77 at gmail dot com
I have always loved these jars!
I’ve been trying to get away from teflon coated pans, but need to find a couple more large pans to replace that last lingering non-stick pans that we just can’t live without. I’ve also been moving from plastic kids dishes to all glass and ceramic as I learn more about the concerns of plastic dishes.
I want to eliminate all the plastic I use for storage. It is a long process since I freeze so much right now!
Like many others, I’m trying to get away from plastic containers! Now, I’m willing to keep some non-BPA ones for storing dry bulk goods (especially for those kept on tall, narrow shelves. I do live in Earthquake Country and know how easily I can lose glass stored there!), but for fridge/freezer storage, or in pantries, I want glass! lol
I’ve made a real push to reduce my BPA exposure over the last five years, and have noticed health improvements. I’d love to phase out the BPA in my canning supplies, too.
Their cast-iron skillets look amazing and make me think of all the one-pan/pot uses. Plus, I’m tempted by their bamboo utensils- a perfect alternative to plastic cutlery as back-to-school approaches and the lunches that come along with it.
Like many have already said, I’m trying to replace as much plastic in our kitchen as possible! This giveaway is amazing, what a beautiful setup the winner is going to receive!
Glass is the only way to go! I dig the Weck jars! Pick me…pick me!
I’d like to get more glass containers instead of plastic ones, also.
I would cook with cast iron instead of teflon. Healthy +extra iron in my diet!
I am giving up plastic all together and am striving to have a natural whole house. I am in love with those plastic straws on the mightynest site… I probably need a few!!
There are so many things I would like to do to make my kitchen healthier, but the one that stands out the most is a switch to glass storage containers. I’m so tired of plastic covered leftovers and the melted rubbermaid after the kids reheat something.
I would LOVE one of their cast iron skillets!
I’d like to find non-plastic storage for freezing that won’t break, and is space efficient.
I would love to replace all the store bought foods with healthy, home grown, home canned, home made foods!
I would love to eliminate all aluminum and teflon coated cookware from our kitchen. Unfortunately, our stuff is a random collection of hand me downs.
I am moving toward getting rid of the plastic in our house – slowly but surely! Would LOVE some Weck jars! Thanks for the fabulous giveaway!
I’d like to start a vegetable garden and compost system…eliminate all the waste that seems to happen when veggies go bad by only harvesting when I’m planning on eating and using the waste to make more soil to grow more veggies!
I love these jars, it is too bad they are so much harder to get than Ball jars.
I would love to replace my cookie sheets/jelly roll pans and cake pans with stainless steel versions.