I posted a picture of my raspberry jam on instagram the other day, and someone left a comment “Please tell me it’s a tutorial with those gorgeous jars!” I had used Weck canning jars for the jam, and thought that there might be other people who wanted to know what they were and how to use them.
I’ve always adored the beauty of Weck canning jars. Last year was the first time I used them and let me tell you Bob, I AM IN LOVE. You can use them over and over again, without having to buy new lids.
Here’s a quick guide on using Weck canning jars:
- There are 4 pieces to Weck jars. The lid, the jar, the rubber ring, and the clamps. All four components will need to be washed and sterilized in hot soapy water.
- For a hot water bath canning method, follow recipe instructions. When it comes time to put your goods into the jars, place the rubber seals in boiling water for a few minutes, just as you would disposable lids. This will soften them up and prepare them to seal.
- Fill your jars with whatever you are canning. Place the rubber seal on the lid of the jars and wipe the rims of the jars to ensure a good seal. Place the lid on the jar and click the clamps into place. The clamps will take the place of the rings in Kerr or Ball jars.
- Process your jars as you would regular canning jars. When the timer goes off and you remove your jars, be careful not to disturb the clamps when you remove the jars from the water.
- Allow the jars to cool completely. Remove the clamps and check for a good seal.
- Store jars as you would regular canning jars.
I’ve bought Weck jars from both Amazon.com and Williams-Sonoma. They are a little expensive up front, but since you can use them over and over, I think I’ll come out ahead in the end.
~Mavis
See all my Canning Recipes HERE
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Travis says
I’ve been using Tattler reusable lids for years. These work with regular mason jars. I put up several hundred jars of veg a year so they pay for themselves quickly.
http://www.tattlercanninglids.com/
Sasha says
This is timely, I have been doing a lot of canning but not in my Weck jars from the thrift store, and I just picked up another one today! When I can I think about giving jam as presents, and then I don’t want it to be in a Weck jar, so they never do get used. Same goes for Tattler lids…
Janice says
I had seen these jars on your site but didn’t know much about them – other than they are absolutely beautiful! When I saw a large box of the Weck jars in various sizes at a garage sale for $5.00 I snapped them up. I felt like I was stealing but the owner was happy to see them go to a good home. In doing a bit of research I read that the rubber rings were to be replaced each time – is this correct? The rings seem a bit pricey to have to replace them each time.
Diane Lapson says
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN MAVIS — for helping me with Weck Jars!!!!! I am kind of petrified to do it – but will can for the first time this weekend and using Weck. So I was doubly frightened – how would I know the jars are sealed???? The instructions on other sites are often scary — the USDA included. I was almost ready to throw in the towel! But I read your instructions over and you are so confident it rubbed off on me.
I wanted to share that the best price for Weck Jars seems to be on the Weck company website. It’s not a sophisticated site, but the prices are better than anywhere else! Yes – even with shipping. I just ordered a bunch and thank you SO MUCH for talking about Weck. I have to say that I get many of my questions answered from you, MAVIS and I really appreciate it so much.
Your site is very intuitive and you are an amazing person. It is very kind and compassionate of you to give so much to so many.
I am in the music business -maybe I have something you would like as a thank you! Let me know.
Joyce M Decker says
Mavis… we ordered a bunch of Weck jars from the company and have used some of them We really like them, but have a problem. We ordered two cases (8) of the LARGE , almost 2 quart jars. We wanted to do meat and potatoes in large jars. Now we have read and heard that it isn’t safe, even pressure canning that large of a jar.
I am thinking maybe one quart of meat and one quart of boiling beef broth would work?
What do you think?
Thank you!
Joyce