Ball Lids - Jarden Home products
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I wondered what had happened with this product because in all of my 40 something years of canning last year I lost more than all before. Several jam and tomato seals failed. I now know why...
There have been some changes to the way Jarden Home Products make their Ball & Kerr lids. They are now BPA free. The undercoating has changed. This coating thins when heated to a boil which could cause a false seal or might fail to seal at all.
The false seal is when an item which appeared to be sealed when canned later has a seal that fails.
That was what I experienced last year and the reason for my jams and tomatoes not having a seal after sitting on the shelf in the pantry.
This false seal is one big reason why I now personally remove the rings or screw caps from my canned goods when I go to store them.
OLD WAY NO LONGER THE RIGHT WAY!
I spoke with a representative on August 26th and left the conversation thinking that they really need someone more knowledgeable when dealing with customers. I found out why they are different but didn't find out to my satisfaction why we the public wasn't notified as to these very important changes. It stands to reason that if I had lost some of my canned goods that others most probably had lost some too.
He told me that the product just needs to be washed with warm soapy water and left on the counter top at room temperature. He said, "Do Not Boil them that messes with the new coating. He said I could heat them if I wanted just not to a boil, but there was no need to even do that.
I said to him, "Then we don't need to heat the lids anymore?" and "How safe can that be?" He said, "We don't sterilize our canning jars anymore." "We just keep them heated in some warm water so that they won't break when hot things are added to them. Hey you can just wash them in the dishwasher!" So no sterilization of jars anymore!
I said, "This change was made last year why hasn't the public had some sort of notification to the changes?"
He then told me "The instructions are on the back of the box." I was getting angry because as I told him. "I have been canning for over 40 years why on earth would I just all of a sudden decide that I need to see how to use the canning lid? Why would I read it?"
You can boil in the water bath or pressure canner because then the lid would be on the jar and it would seal to it.
The latest information I can even find from the USDA about home canning was dated 2009.
I'd like to thank Theresa Roe of Living Homegrown. I found out about the new lids through her.
Will I continue to can? Yes. Will I sterilize my jars? Yes I will. Will I continue to use Ball or Kerr Lids? Yes. Will I let you know how they perform after time? You bet I will. As a matter of fact I have been canning with the lids no heating and making jam with my new Ball freshTech Jam Maker. I'll do my review on that product later.
On a lighter note: What to do if your canning lids fail...
Canning Jar Lid Snowman Instructions
Until Next Time
Thanks much I was Featured
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