Jelly Jars

snipped-for-privacy@EveryChance.org (Bob Masta) wrote in news:3fa12042.3277541 @news.itd.umich.edu:

When I made a run of small jars for presents (they held pickle) I just threw a straight cylinder and put a groove in it about 1/4 inch below the top. When a clear seal was put over the top the rubber band held it in this groove. Another rubber band held the gingham cover when it was dressed up as a present.

John W

My personal preference has always been to use large corks. This lets the jar be reused. If storage is a concern, one can always wax the cork bottom and sides. Wayne Seidl

What sort of clear seal did you use here? If I understand you correctly, this is some sort of heavy "plastic wrap" stuff. So it would need to maintain a seal as the initially-hot contents cooled down and created a partial vacuum to suck the wrap down, without slipping, sagging too much, or breaking. Is this some commonly-available product? (Or have I misunderstood?)

Thanks!

Bob Masta dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom D A Q A R T A Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis

snipped-for-privacy@EveryChance.org (Bob Masta) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@news.itd.umich.edu:

No you haven't misunderstood.

They are a clear glassine or cellophane like product which are produced for the sealing of preserves eg jam pickles etc. They are not plastic, are already cut in circles and come in a variety of sizes. They have been around forever and pre-date plastic

They should be available in supermarkets or other stores selling preserving type of products.eg jars

When you are ready to use them you soak them in water. Fill up your jars and then stretch a cover over the top and anchor down with a rubber band.As the top dries out it stretches tight like a drum head and forms a seal.

If you can't find any in your neck of the woods send me an email

snipped-for-privacy@slingshot.co.nz

and I'll post you over a packet

May the food be with you

John Webb

John,

I've long been searching for such a product. Would you mind posting me a packet, too?

snipped-for-privacy@earthlink.net

Thanks,

Jan C.

John: That sounds like a much better idea than waxing corks. I don't need you to send me any, but would appreciate your telling me manufacturer and product names, if you don't mind. Thanks, Wayne Seidl

Here's a site that sounds like they have what you're talking about. They are great people.

"wayneinkeywest" wrote in news:o6Aob.5674$ snipped-for-privacy@bignews6.bellsouth.net:

No worries mate

I'll have that for you in a couple of days.

If any body else would lke a packet send me a message on

snipped-for-privacy@slingshot.co.nz

Regards

John Webb

How amazing that these are not well known outside NZ :o) Your jars sound fantastic, I have only used glass jars never thought of making my own. Don't do much preserving really, but what a wonderful present. A

I always use glass jars and use them as presents too. I think the reason is that you can see in the jar and see if they are mouldy or anything. In pottery jars, you have to trust it and that's not always easy.

Monika

-- Monika Schleidt snipped-for-privacy@schleidt.org

John:

Thanks very much for the generous offer, but what I'd really like to locate is a supplier for the future. The grocery stores around here (Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA) don't have anything like this in their canning supplies section.

Could you please post the name of the manufacturer of these things? I'd like to contact them and see if they have any outlets in North America.

Thank you!

Bob Masta dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom D A Q A R T A Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis

snipped-for-privacy@EveryChance.org (Bob Masta) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@news.itd.umich.edu:

Okay

The Brand is Waugh and they are manufactured by the Waugh Rubber Bands Ltd., at PO Box 13366, Wellington, New Zealand.

They come in packs of 25 covers complete with 25 rubber bands and 25 jar labels. They retail for $1.64 a packet.

The labal shows them as 25 cellophane jam jar and preserve covers. The directions are to moisten cover, place carefully over hot jam without stretching unduly and secure with a rubber band.

I would imagine that if you can't buy these buy some cellophane and experiment.

I will post a packet to each of those who requested them

Keep on jamming and don't get in a pickle.

John Webb

Thank youy John. i will check for US sources and post anything I find. Wayne Seidl Okay

Success! Eureka! or YeeHaw! (depending on your origins:>) They can be ordered at the following link, direct to the Waugh Rubber Band Co. website. Ain't technology great? Best Regards, Wayne Seidl The link is:

I have sent the Waugh Company an "enquiry" via e-mail as to a US distributor. I will post their reply if / when received. Wayne

Success! Eureka! or YeeHaw! (depending on your origins:>)

"wayneinkeywest" wrote in news:7nYpb.20371$ snipped-for-privacy@bignews4.bellsouth.net:

John

Uncle John wrote in news:Xns942A9B6E4E52Dknickers@

I have three packets of seal left. If you want a packet email me on snipped-for-privacy@slingshot.co.nz and I'll get one in the post for you

John Webb

news:Xns942A9B6E4E52Dknickers@

John: I never got a reply from the Waugh Company. Pretty poor business practice that, considering they are missing a potential market of all US potters. Shame on them.

Regarding your message, though, thanks anyway. I figured out what they are, and have made my own. Cellophane is cheap by the roll here, and so easy to cut. Beats grinding corks. Not as long lasting though :>) Maybe I'll attempt some lids...what a concept :>)

Best Regards, Wayne Seidl

I guess I'm still having a little trouble understanding how this whole system works. Let's say you have a hot jar you just filled with hot jelly (and wiped the rim). Now, you put one of these cello disks over the jar and pull the edges down and hold with rubber bands to the jar. From my (limited) experience with cellophane, I wouldn't expect it to seal very well to the rim. Or does it soften when it gets that hot? (But not soften so much as to tear.)

Or is there some magical coating on these cellophane disks, like maybe paraffin? I've seen a material called Parafilm (I think), which is used to cover laboratory glassware. This stuff is stretchy at room temperature and seals very well (keeps flasks and beakers sterile, etc), but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't take the heat of a hot jelly jar. However, if the cello doesn't work by itself, I'm thinking that a layer of this stuff against the rim would melt and make the seal, and a second layer of cello would provide strength.

Or maybe a clay lid, with Parafilm under it as a seal?

Bob Masta dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom D A Q A R T A Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis