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Repurposing food jars for canning

7 years ago

Does anyone have any experience using food jars from the store for canning?

Classico Spaghetti sauce jars are label "Atlas Mason." They are good heavy jars. Regular mouth bands and lids fit them. I have been using them for BWB canning over the last year with great success. Does anyone have any similar experiences with these jars?

Does anyone else out there know of any other food product jars that can be used for home canning?

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Comments (2)

digdirt2
7 years ago
A fairly frequent question over the years so I'll link you some of the previous discussions. For several years the Classico jars, which some had used for decades, were changed by the manufacturer so the lids would not fit and some of them are still around so take care. Then in 2014 year the original jars that would fit the lids were brought back into production.

But the recommendation to avoid using them is still the standard. Or if you must, use them only for BWB canning, not PC. Note: NCHFP does not recommend using any jars but the jars made expressly for canning (Ball, Kerr, GH, etc.)

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2881870/classico-jars-are-back?n=6

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1936910/re-using-a-pasta-sauce-jar?n=60

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1933976/list-for-reusable-jars?n=26

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1943747/using-old-salsa-jar?n=14

Dave
annie1992
7 years ago
tbenjr, I use those same Atlas jars regularly. I do find that I have more breakage in the pressure canner, and so tend to use them only for BWB items.

I used to love the marshmallow cream jars, they were the perfect shape for salsa, I could dip right out of the jar and they took a wide mouth lid. Now they're plastic, of course. I've also canned in mayonnaise jars, both pint and quart size. If the lid fits, I use it for canning!

You have to be prepared, though, for some breakage, because those jars tend to get clunked with a knife while dipping mayo for your sandwich, and be sure to carefully check the rim of the jar, as they become chipped by the same utensils.

I haven't really found that the breakage is significantly more than with regular canning jars. Every time one broke I thought "darn it, that's what I get for recycling my jars", but then I realized I get breakage with regular canning jars too, mostly an occasional thermal shock issue when I'm not paying attention or become complacent.

For what it's worth, my extension service says it's just fine to use recycled jars. It really is not a safety issue at all, as long as you realize that you may get slightly more breakage.

Annie
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