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My jar lids didnt seal

14 years ago

I made pickles following the recipe on the back of the package. There were 2 ways of preserving so I did both. The first way was to boil sealed jars in water for 15 min and then the jars could be non refrigerated and my pickles would be good for a year. The second was to pour the boiling vinegar solution over the pickles and seal then let sit at room temp for 30 min and then they could be stored in the fridge for up to 3 months. My problem is the ones that I plan to put in the fridge the seals did not suck down on them. I can press on them and they pop back up is this normal/ok? thanks for your help

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Comments (5)

James McNulty
14 years ago
Do NOT worry. The jars for the fridge are not supposed to seal. It is perfectly OK that the lids "pop back up." That is why you are keeping them in the fridge.
For refrigerator pickles, I even use old lids since there is no expectation of sealing.
Welcome to a fun new hobby.
Jim in So. Calif.
zabby17
14 years ago
newpicler,

I second Jim's comment! The purpose of the seal is to make it okay to keep the jars on the shelf. It keeps air from getting in, and since the bacteria that make cucumbers go bad need oxygen to grow, they can't grow in the sealed jar.

But cold temperatures also keep the bacteria from growing, which is why you can keep them in the fridge instead.

It's the boiling that makes sure the lids seal. (The heat causes the air in the jars to expand and some of it seeps out, so there is less pressure inside the jar; then when the jar cools down again, the greater pressure outside the jar clamps the lid down tight; the rubbery stuff on the lid fills in any teeny spaces to keep air from getting back in.)

Congratulations on your pickles! Did you make sweet ones or sour ones?

Cheers,

Zabby
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newpicler
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you very much !
digdirt2
14 years ago
recipe on the back of the package

Just curious - what package? Was it a Mrs. Wages mix? They are quite good - tasty and safe - but some package directions may not conform to the current safety guidelines.

Dave
newpicler
Original Author
14 years ago
I used the Ball pickling mix. Thank You for your replies

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