When you embark on the journey of preparing jams, preserves, kombucha, kefir, or any recipes that involve storing food-grade ingredients in glass containers, it's crucial to ensure that your glass jars and bottles are properly sterilised. This holds true not only for culinary creations but also for homemade beauty products like hand salves, bath salts, or oils. Surprisingly, even new glass bottles or jars require sterilisation because bacteria, dirt, or mould spores can find their way into these containers during storage. In summary, before you commence your creative kitchen or beauty project, always take the precautionary step of sterilising glass to safeguard the purity and quality of your contents.
The Benefits of Glass for Sterilisation:
Glass offers numerous advantages, with one of the standout features being its ease of cleaning. Once sterilised, glass maintains its sterility, making it an ideal vessel for various finished products. Furthermore, it's an environmentally friendly option, aesthetically pleasing, and budget-friendly.
So, how do you effectively sterilise your glass containers? Failing to achieve the desired results can lead to spoilage of your homemade preserves, jams, or pickles. Let's explore the methods for sterilising glass bottles and jars and consider the different options available.
Efficient Glass Jar and Bottle Sterilisation:
There are several methods for sterilising glass containers, and people often have their preferred technique. Two popular options are heat sterilisation and using a dishwasher.
Heat Sterilisation Method:
With this approach, a specific temperature is used to eliminate any bacteria in the glass containers. Be sure to have oven gloves on hand when using this method, and inspect your glass jars and bottles for cracks or chips, as they can shatter under high heat. The glass you choose should be able to withstand temperatures up to 160°C. After scrubbing your glassware, preheat the oven to 160 degrees and line a baking tray with your jars and bottles. Once the oven reaches 160°C, place the glassware inside for 15 minutes. Remove and fill them as quickly as possible.
You can also utilise the microwave for heat sterilisation. After washing your glass jar or bottle, microwave it at 1000W for a minute. The presence of steam is a positive sign. This method is ideal for a small number of jars that need sterilisation.
Dishwasher Method:
This method couldn't be simpler. Place your glass containers in the dishwasher and run a full rinse cycle. It's a convenient choice when you have many glass items to sterilise simultaneously. However, it's not the most eco-friendly option for small batches. Make sure not to mix your glass with other dirty pots and pans, as food particles can end up in your jars and bottles. Once the hot cycle is complete, promptly remove the glass and fill it as quickly as possible.
Pressure Cooker Method:
If you have a pressure cooker, it can also be used to sterilise small batches of glassware. Clean the glassware and add a couple of inches of boiled water to your cooker or canner. Stand the jars in the pot until it's full. Then, apply a ten-minute pressure cooking program and either let the cooker cool down naturally or release the pressure valve for a quicker cool down.
Sterilising Jam Jar Lids:
If you are using jam jar lids, you can boil them in a large pan of water for 15 minutes. Alternatively, clean them and soak the lids in a commercial sterilising solution, such as the tablets used for sterilising baby bottles.
Begin with the Right Glassware:
Selecting the appropriate glassware for your project is always crucial. For instance, jam jars with lids are a top choice for home-preserving products, designed with the specific purpose in mind. Our 190ml Panelled Round Jars are a fantastic option for preserving your culinary creations. Similarly, glass bottles like the 250ml Sauce Bottle are perfect for working with liquids, such as cordials, sauces, kombucha, kefir, or bath and kitchen oils.
Explore JazJar's extensive range of glass bottles and jars, offering excellent prices, top-notch service, and free next-day delivery. We stock a wide variety of products to meet your kitchen, crafting, and small business needs.
For further guidance on sterilising your glassware, take a look at the video below.