[Blueeyes]

Hi, just wondered how easy jam is to make??? Do you have to have a proper jam pan and does it make it easier to have a jam thermometer???

Thought it might be nice to make some as little presents for Christmas stockings this year, as we have tons of plums etc, I was thinking of starting with plum jam?!? 

Never attempted Jam before, it's always held a bit of mystery for me or some reason but my mum loves nice jams    would mine taste a lot more basic than the ones you buy in farm shops that are made by local people?

Any advice (even if it's 'I wouldn't bother') gratefully received, thought it might be something me and my daughter could do whilst my hubby is making the duck enclosure.

Blueeyes xx

[Bionic]

Blueeyes,
Jam is very easy to make and I get a real sense of satsfaction once its done. I have just made some plum jam, its a bit sweet, but the colour is amazing and no artifical additives.

I do have a preserving pan and would find it difficult to do without that as it has a larger volume than a 'normal' saucepan. The preserving pan cost me about £50 a few years back but it has been worth it.  I used a themometer for the first time with this batch and to be honest I need not have bothered. With a bit of fiddling about its just as easy to gauge when the jam has reached setting point without the themometer.  Just put a saucer/plate/bowl in the fridge beforehand so that it gets cold.  When you think the jam might be ready just put a drop on the plate and return to fridge for a very short while (probably a minute).  Push the jam with your finger and if it starts to wrinkle then its ready.  This last part comes more from experience but I have never yet had one that has been too runny.

I hope this helps.  If you need more information I will type you some details from the preserving book that I have.
Sally

[suziequeue]

I'm afraid I copped out and got a jam maker.

It's fabulous - so easy.

I just set the programme, shove the stuff in and leave it until it beeps - test for set and that's it.

Never had a failed jam

[doganjo]

I'm afraid I copped out and got a jam maker.

It's fabulous - so easy.

I just set the programme, shove the stuff in and leave it until it beeps - test for set and that's it.

Never had a failed jam

You can't really do that with plum jam as the stones need to be taken out - either by cutting them out before cooking or skimming them off the top just before a full boil.  Occasionally you can miss one, but they are easily picked out when you spread your piece

[Fleecewife]

The point of a preserving pan is not so much the total volume, although that helps, but more the surface area - a preserving pan has a wider top than the average saucepan.  This means that you can boil it faster than an ordinary sauce pan and make the jam more quickly - the slower you make your jam the more likely it is to go syrupy.
Definitely have a go - the worst that can happen is you have to throw it out, but I doubt that would happen - even runny jam can be used as sauce and solid jam can be sliced  .  I have been making jam since I was a child - my specialty is 'summer garden jam' which uses a bit of everything depending what's available on any given day - it's yummy 

[suziequeue]

You can't really do that with plum jam as the stones need to be taken out - either by cutting them out before cooking or skimming them off the top just before a full boil.  Occasionally you can miss one, but they are easily picked out when you spread your piece

Yes - sorry - I do cut the stones out before "shoving the stuff in".......

 

[Blueeyes]

Well I've just done a small amount of plums, made it up a bit as I went along, but my jam worked 

Though it's a little more set than maybe should be, but at least it's set  long way off producing pots as stocking fillers yet tho! 

Blueeyes xx

[little blue]

Never attempted Jam before, thought it might be something me and my daughter could do whilst my hubby is making the duck enclosure.

lucky you .... I got to make the jam AND build the duck enclosure!
He does the technical bits like hammering, I get to hold things, fetch things, look stupid in the hardware shop & tidy up!      

[Penninehillbilly]

we use the pressure cooker (without the lid), it's enough for small batches, so cooks up quicker, if anything goes wrong theres only half a doz jars wasted.

[Blueeyes]

No I just keep him filled with cups of tea & bacon butties oh and of course keep telling him how fab a job he's doing  he wouldn't want me helping, think I'm more a hindrance 

Saying that though my little girl was more interested in hitting a piece of wood with a hammer than collecting fruit & tomatoes, making jam & gingerbread people and feeding the animals with me!

The ducks arrive tomorrow though so I'm glad he got it finished in time with fountain working in the pond and outside light for them for when it gets dark on an evening, oh and not forgetting a nice bench for us to sit on whilst chatting to the ducks     mad us??


Blueeyes xx

[doganjo]

No I just keep him filled with cups of tea & bacon butties oh and of course keep telling him how fab a job he's doing  he wouldn't want me helping, think I'm more a hindrance 

Saying that though my little girl was more interested in hitting a piece of wood with a hammer than collecting fruit & tomatoes, making jam & gingerbread people and feeding the animals with me!

The ducks arrive tomorrow though so I'm glad he got it finished in time with fountain working in the pond and outside light for them for when it gets dark on an evening, oh and not forgetting a nice bench for us to sit on whilst chatting to the ducks     mad us??


Blueeyes xx

Sounds absolutely delightful.  I take it you have a patio heater too? 

[Blueeyes]

    we do actually but they aren't getting that  you want to see the the jacuzzi & sauna the sheep & ponies have 

[doganjo]

  we do actually but they aren't getting that  you want to see the the jacuzzi & sauna the sheep & ponies have 

Not QUITE what I meant - you are wicked     Maybe you'll wrap up in duvets to sit and chat to the ducks?   I love mine - I'll always remember my pal looking after my place for  a weekend and when I came back she said 'Do you know that your ducks and hens talk to you?'  It had never occurred to her that they might be able to hold a conversation with humans.

[Blueeyes]

Apparently these ducks are so tame they answer to their names then come and sit on your knee for a cuddle and Daisy ( the boss duck ) will even snuggle up on your shoulder! The guy who has asked us to look after them for him is gutted to be letting them go but they can't really look after them anymore  feel so sorry for him!

But at least they will have a good life here, and he can come and visit whenever he wants 

I often take a book out and sit for the afternoon with the animals, but can't take library books out anymore as the last one went back with pony hoof prints all over  they like all the attention so tried to steel the book off me!

All good fun