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Glass jars for freezing tomatoes?

catherinet (5IN)

4 months ago

As I said in another post, I'm discovering that lots of the plastic containers I use for daily use and freezer use aren't healthy. I did find some plastic freezer containers that don't have BPAs in them and are recyclable (Arrow). But I've started thinking of using some glass jars for the freezer for tomatoes. I've read that I should only use straight-sided jars. (Not sure why...except the ase of getting the stuff out??) I see Ball sells 32 oz wide mouth jars that look pretty straight. Anyone else freeze mashed tomatoes in Ball jars? Have you run into any problems? I'm thinking that when I'm doing tomatoes and smash them up, they may have a fair amount of juice. I guess I would want to leave a lot of space at the top of the jar....which would cut down on the amount I could freeze/per jar. Any info/experience would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Comments (4)

annie1992
4 months ago
I have not frozen tomatoes in jars, but I regularly freeze various nuts, apple cider, grape juice, freshly rendered lard, leftover soup, green enchilada sauce, bulk yeast, lots of things. Those all get frozen in canning jars. I use the wide mouthed jars for things like apple cider or juice, soup, sauce because freezing causes expansion. Something like nuts or yeast won't expand like soup or juice, clearly. I leave lots of head space, don't tighten the bands until the product is completely frozen and I've had no problems. Actually, I've frozen the nuts and the yeast in well washed and sanitized commercial jars from pickles and jam with no problems.

Annie
catherinet (5IN) thanked annie1992
agmss15
4 months ago
Straight sided so your jar doesn’t shatter when your frozen liquid expands. Straight sided pint jars are my most used size. For freezing soups, beans, salsas, sauces as well as canning.
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catherinet (5IN) thanked agmss15
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catherinet (5IN)
Original Author
4 months ago
Thanks annie and agmss. Question: Is there something about non-straight-sided glass jars that would break with expansion more than straight? I mean couldn't the ingredients still expand enough at the top.........or does it put too much pressure on that curve? (Sorry, I tend to think a little too much.....haha). Thanks for that tip, Annie, about not tightening the jar until the contents are frozen. :)
0
annie1992
4 months ago
last modified: 4 months ago
catherinet, I've frozen cider in regular mouth canning jars, but I leave plenty of room for expansion, it usually doesn't expand up above the shoulders of the jar. It's kind of my last resort if I'm out of wide mouth jars.

Annie
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