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 would love to replace my cookie sheets/jelly roll pans and cake pans with stainless steel versions.
I love these jars, it is too bad they are so much harder to get than Ball jars.
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 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 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 would love to replace all the store bought foods with healthy, home grown, home canned, home made foods!
I’d like to find non-plastic storage for freezing that won’t break, and is space efficient.
I would LOVE one of their cast iron skillets!
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 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!!
I would cook with cast iron instead of teflon. Healthy +extra iron in my diet!
I’d like to get more glass containers instead of plastic ones, also.
Glass is the only way to go! I dig the Weck jars! Pick me…pick me!
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!
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.
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.
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 want to eliminate all the plastic I use for storage. It is a long process since I freeze so much right now!
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 have always loved these jars!
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 REALLY want to replace all my food storage containers with glass …
I would change to non-BPA products. BTW I LOVE Weck jars!!!
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 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 would like to get rid of my plastic and found healthier ways to store leftovers, etc.
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 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 love to switch to all glass containers and get rid of my plastic ones!
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 have already converted to glass food storage containers…I would like to get some stainless steel bakeware.
I would like to minimize our usage of plastic storage containers for leftovers.
I would like to use less plastic and more glass.
I would get rid of the non stick pans all together! And stock more whole grain foods in our pantry.
I would like to get rid of any and all plastic in my kitchen especially for left over containers.
I’m trying to replace the plastic storage containers and the non-stick skillet.
I’d love to replace my old plastic storage containers and utensils with healthier alternatives!
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 would love to replace my plastic storage containers for some nice new glass ones.
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 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 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!
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…
New Baby = making baby food time! And I don’t want to be doing it with BPA plastic!