3 ways to sterilize glass containers

To keep homemade jam or cooked vegetables for a long time, the best thing to do is sterilize jars before use. In this way you make sure that as many microorganisms as possible are eliminated, be they bacteria, fungi or viruses. Microorganisms are responsible for food spoilage because they feed on them and multiply.

We show you the best ways to sterilize jars and bottles to extend the life of your food. In addition we explain Helpful tips on all aspects of sterilization.

3 Ways to Sterilize Glass Containers – wikiHow

1. Sterilize in hot water

To eliminate as many germs as possible you can use the sterilization in a hot water bath. This method is especially suitable for screw-top jars such as those necessary to store vegetables or fruits, to ferment, for homemade jams, chutneys or for pickling cucumbers or tomatoes.

How to do it:

Place the jars (opening side up) and lids in a large saucepan. pour water over them until you cover them. Put the water to boil Of the pot. boil the jars during 15 minutes. time elapsed remove the water from the pot. Carefully remove the jars and pot lids with a freshly laundered kitchen towel. let them drain briefly and fill them right away.

2. Sterilize in the oven

You can also sterilize mason jars in the oven and so ensure the longest possible service life of your cooked food. This procedure is particularly useful if you want to sterilize large containers or bottles they don’t have enough room in a pot.

Step by step instructions:

Carry water to boil Rinse glasses and bottles with the hot dry them with a cloth clean kitchen. Preheat the oven at 130 degrees. Place the containers in the oven heat for 15 minutes. Let the glasses and bottles cool down a bit. in the closed oven. Remove the containers with a freshly washed kitchen towel.

Is better sterilize the lids with a rubber ring in a water bath, since the gum becomes brittle in the oven and can affect the preservation of food. The metal lids in their entirety can be sterilized in the oven without problems.

3. Sterilize in the microwave

The microwave also perfectly sterilizes your canning jars. With this method, sterilization is faster. However, only suitable if you have a few or small containers that need to be sterilized.

How it’s done:

Fill the glasses with some water and put them in the microwave. Heat pans at 600 W until the water boils. let the water boil for another 60 seconds. Let it cool cups.

Note that metal lids should not be placed in the microwave.

Also You can get sterilizing glasses with the dishwasher. To do this, place the containers in the machine without other dishes. Use the hottest setting, but no detergent.

The disadvantage of this method is that water consumption is quite high and the dishwasher itself must also be clean and sterilized.

5 Smart Tips for Sterilizing Mason Jars

Don’t start sterilizing until the food is ready. to be kept in the jars. If you sterilize the jars too soon, there is a risk that microorganisms will settle back in them. Put the hot food in the jars freshly sterilized preparations and close them immediately. Touch only the outside of clean containers to prevent bacteria or other germs from entering. Rubberized caps are especially suitable to make preserves It is better to sterilize them in hot water, because it is better to close them when they are wet. Containers for foods such as yogurt, pesto or hummus, which by nature cannot be kept as long and are stored in the refrigeratorThey do not need sterilization. So that homemade cosmetics last longer, it’s also a good idea to use sterilized containers.