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BWC Process Time for Half Pint Jars

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Sorry if I'm a pain with my questions.

I read so much info and I think that I remember it said somewhere that I can process 1/2 pint jars in boil water canner for 15 minutes. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I want to do the pickled beets recipe that's on NCHFP website, minus the cinnamon, cloves and onions, and I'm using 7% vinegar. However, I want to use 1/2 pint (500ml) jars instead of the pint (1L) jars. Directions say to process pint jars for 30 minutes.

Is it safe to assume that I can do the 15 minutes for 1/2 pints?

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (4)

digdirt2
7 years ago
No. You can use smaller jars than called for in the recipe instructions (you can not ever use larger jars) but they are processed for the same time. So 1/2 pint jars are always processed for the pint processing time called for.

I don't know where you are doing all your reading but given some of your questions I'm beginning to suspect they are less-than-reputable sources so I'm glad you are double checking. All these basic questions are well covered on the NCHFP website and in the Bernardin/Ball canning books and on their websites. But there are many online web sources like YouTube and personal blogs that need to be avoided when learning to can food. All sorts of claims exist out there - like the one you questioned - that are nothing more than one person's personal opinion.

I know you are in Canada so get a copy of the Bernardin home canning book for starters.

http://www.bernardin.ca/Publications/Guide-to-Home-Preserving/Product.aspx

Dave
khandi thanked digdirt2
khandi
Original Author
7 years ago
I don't ever go by what's on You Tube. I just ordered the Ball book of canning over the weekend.

I just thought it needed the 30 minutes to get rid of the "air" because it's a bigger jar, and the smaller jar wouldn't take as long. :-)

I don't want to overcook the beets. Don't like mushy beets.
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digdirt2
7 years ago
I understand what you are saying but forcing out the air is only part of the processing, the primary goal true, but you want a good solid vacuum to form as well and for the brine to penetrate the cukes. Heat forces that to happen.

The odds are that your 1/2 pints would probably be fine if processed for less time but we have no way of knowing for sure as we would with the full time processing.

Glad you are getting the book. In the mean time all of the basic info you will find in the book is already available at NCHFP for reading. NCHFP is the primary source of info that all the books are based on.

Dave
khandi thanked digdirt2
khandi
Original Author
7 years ago
I'm processing them at 30 minutes. I cooked the beets "al dente" just to be sure they won't be too mushy after the processing. Second batch is in the canner. :-)

Thank you so much for your help! The last thing I want to do is make my family sick.

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