How will you feel if the effort you put into preparing a delicious batch of your favourite preserve goes to waste due to spoilage just a day or two later? Sterilising glass storage jars with lids is an important cleaning decision that impacts the safety, flavour or freshness, and shelf life of your food items whether dried or wet.
There are several methods of sterilising glass jars, especially kitchen glass jars with lids. In this article, you will learn 3 ways to effectively sterilise glass jars with lids to ensure the safety of your pantry items in jars.
Methods of Sterilising Glass Storage Jars With Lids
There are three major ways of sterilising kitchen glass storage jars and their lids. These methods include heat sterilisation (using boiling water), dishwasher sterilisation, and pressure cooker sterilisation. Below is a detailed guide on how to use these methods including their disadvantages.
1. Using the Dishwasher Method
This is one of the fastest and most convenient ways of sterilising glass jars with lids, especially for large batches. Here is how to sterilise with a washer:
- Use a dishwasher that has a sanitise cycle and a high temperature above 65°C
- Clean the storage jars with their lids thoroughly using warm, soapy water and ensure there is no food debris lurking around the jars or lids.
- Loosely place the jars and lids upside down on the dishwasher’s top rack.
- Start the dishwasher and run it on high temperature sanitise cycle.
The only disadvantages of the dishwasher method are:
- Not all dishwashers have a sanitise cycle.
- This method may not be suitable for non-dishwasher-safe glass jars with lids.
2. Using the Heat Sterilisation Method
This is the traditionally known method of sterilising glass storage jars with lids, which involves boiling the jars with lids. This method is simple and easy.
To use this method, follow these steps:
- Wash the glass jars with lids thoroughly with warm soapy water.
- Fill a stockpot with water to a level that will submerge the jars and lids.
- Place on a heat source and allow it to boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and allow it to simmer for up to 11 minutes.
- Carefully remove the jars and lids from the hot water and place them upside down on a drying rack or dishcloth.
The disadvantages of this method are:
- It is time-consuming for large batches of glass jars.
- It requires close attention throughout the process.
3. Using the Pressure Cooker Method
This method is suitable for both large quantities of kitchen glass storage jars and small, it is also fast and effective. To use this method, follow these steps:
- Wash the kitchen glass storage jars with lids thoroughly with warm soapy water.
- Add a few inches of boiled water in the pressure cooker then add the jars by ensuring they are all upright.
- Close the cooker and run a 10-minute pressure program or follow the pressure cooker instructional manual.
- Once, it’s up to 10 minutes, allow the pressure cooker to cool down naturally then remove the jars or release the pressure valve to make it cool down faster.
The only disadvantage of this method is that you must have a pressure cooker, which is not everyone that has it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Glass Storage Jars
What kind of glass jars are suitable for sterilisation?
Virtually all commercially usable glass storage jars with lids are suitable for sterilisation. But to be certain, you can contact your supplier or manufacturer to get specific recommendations if need be.
Can you sterilise glass jars with boiling water?
Yes, most glass storage jars that are heatproof can be sterilised with boiling water. It is an effective method of sterilisation. If you have doubts about the glass jars you have or want to purchase, contact the supplier to be informed.
What are the benefits of sterilising glass jars with lids?
The benefits of sterilising glass with lids are:
- It destroys microorganisms that can easily lead to the spoilage of your food products.
- It extends your food items’ shelf life.
- It reduces the risk of foodborne diseases.
What is the fastest way to sanitise a jar?
The fastest way to sanitise glass containers with lids is using the dishwasher method. Before using this method, ensure your dishwasher has a high-temperature sanitise cycle.