using a folded towel instead of a rack

16 years ago

I put up 6 half pints of cherry jam today and since they don't fit in the rack I used a folded dishtowel. When I lifted the lid at the end of processing I noticed that a portion of the towel and shifted and part of it was floating. A couple of the jars fell over (grrr) and the others were resting on the bottom of the canner. Are there any options other than reprocessing?

Thanks in advance

Whynotmi

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Comments (11)

trisha_51
16 years ago
Don't see any reason you need to reprocess. The lids are tight, right?
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Linda_Lou
16 years ago
I agree, as long as they seal they are fine.
That is why I got myself some flat racks at the thrift store. They are really meant for a small bbq grill, but allow for water circulation and the jars sit on it nicely. I can fit more in. I don't like those divided racks.
I only paid 99 cents each for the racks.
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whynotmi
Original Author
16 years ago
They all seemed to seal, yes. When I pulled them out and set them on cutting board to cool they all "popped" as they started to cool down. I'm really glad to hear I don't have to reprocess and I'll have to find a small rack. Linda Lou, the racks you mentioned from the dollar store, was it a particular chain like $ general or $ tree?

thanks
whynot
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zabby17
16 years ago
whynotmi,

Don't worry, there's no safety issue. The reason for the rack is that if the jars sit right on the bottom of the pot there is some chance of them breaking, since the pot itself is hotter than the water.

I don't think it's actually a very big chance --- I have canned with no rack or anything on the bottom a few times and not had any jars break.

But it would make a big mess if one did (and be sad to lose a jarful of yummy stuff!), so a rack is a good idea.

I tried a dishtowel once and found it floated up a bit and one jar fell over. I have also tried lining the bottom of the pot with jar rings, and the jars didn't stay upright too well on them but it worked okay.

But in the end I also have got a cheap rack from the dollar store, it was meant for cooling a cake I think. It does the job just fine.

Good luck and happy canning!

Zabby
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whynotmi
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Zabby, and congrats on your maters! I'll have to find one of those cake coolers. My cake racks are too big to fit in my canner and I'm not about to hack them up since I use the way too much.

Cheers
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ksrogers
16 years ago
There was another discussion about small racks, and the Kitchen Krafts has one that works well in small pots. Its an all stainless one.
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whynotmi
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Ken I'll check it out.
whynot
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shirleywny5
16 years ago
Something else I've used for a rack is a flattened throw away pie tin with holes punched in. Works for jelly jars. Tying jar rings together works great for larger jars. You can make several different sizes.
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ksrogers
16 years ago
Pie tin.. Could that be Table Talk brand? They used to sell 'resturant' sized pies that were made of galvanaized steel and had holes pierced in them. They were returnable for a nickle or a dime, way back when..

Here is a link that might be useful: Canning rack, and small canning rack
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whynotmi
Original Author
16 years ago
Hmmm, I have an 8" pie pan that has holes in it that I got from my Great Aunt when she taught me how to roll crust. (In my family everyone learned to cook; mom and dad both worked and dinner was expected to be on the table when they got home.)

The pan is a nice weight and the holes are a bit bigger than a pencil would make. I have made many a great (according to my friends) pie with that pan. I suspect any homemade pie is "great" to folks who never make them. lol
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barton
16 years ago
I ran across this while searching for a pressure canner.

They have all sizes.

I can't vouch for the reliability of this merchant, but it's nice to know they are a dealer and stock all the parts.

Here is a link that might be useful: canner racks
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