[Beewyched]

Got 3 pans simmering at the moment to make Rowanberry jelly 
Just realised - our oven is broke (did email landlord about this a while ago, but not sorted yet    )
How are we going to sterilise the jars now?
We will be going into the village tomorrow for provisions, the mush will be straining overnight, so ...
   could we use Milton (or similar own brand - cheaper    ) or will it taint the jelly 

[Welshcob]

My OH uses tablets to sterilize beer bottles - we used to do oven sterilization but too time consuming

I suppose Milton (or similar) should be ok as long as you super rinse the jars afterwards. I'd say to use boiling water to rinse them, at least twice. I have not heard of it tainting baby formula 

[Beewyched]

My OH uses tablets to sterilize beer bottles - we used to do oven sterilization but too time consuming

I suppose Milton (or similar) should be ok as long as you super rinse the jars afterwards. I'd say to use boiling water to rinse them, at least twice. I have not heard of it tainting baby formula 

Thanks - of course    Why did I not think of that 

[FiB]

I just boil all mine in the jam pan these days (as recomended by pam the jam (river cottage preserves)).  Alternatively she recons a hot dishwasher cycle (whatever one of those is  ) is also sufficent.  I DO miss my dishwasher, its no good pretending otherwise.

[lachlanandmarcus]

I use the dishwasher hot cycle and havent ever had any problems - and so easy! (if one has a dishwasher!). We only have a mini undercounter one in a cupboard but it is brilliant (bought secondhand)!

[Beewyched]

Thanks folks    - I'm usually better than this at lateral thinking for others - why is it that I don't seem to be able to do for myself    oh dear 
Dishwasher - even if we had one here, I bet that'd be knackered too 

[the great composto]

is there a microwave avaialble?  bout an inch in the bottom of the jar and nuke away.

[Fleecewife]

My thoughts on this are that anything which can withstand the temperature of boiling sugar deserves to live      I wash my jars in very hot water but I don't put them in the oven to sterilise, and I certainly wouldn't use milton.  Sodium metabisulphite which is used for winemaking might be ok but I really don't think it's necessary, except maybe if you are re-using lids.  I never get any mould on my jam even if I keep it for several years........      Have fun 

[Beewyched]

Thanks Juliet 

[Anke]

My thoughts on this are that anything which can withstand the temperature of boiling sugar deserves to live      I wash my jars in very hot water but I don't put them in the oven to sterilise, and I certainly wouldn't use milton.  Sodium metabisulphite which is used for winemaking might be ok but I really don't think it's necessary, except maybe if you are re-using lids.  I never get any mould on my jam even if I keep it for several years........      Have fun 

same here. I just wash my jars in as hot water as I can bear, then rinse in boiling water, turn over onto clean teatowel and fill very soon afterwards. Only had problems one year with strawberry jam going a bit mouldy, but patch was removed and jam consumed - we are all still here to tell the tale...
I wouldn't go over the top wrt sterilising. After all you fill the jam/jelly in while it is just below boiling...

[Beewyched]

Just to add to this, while we're on the subject 
Does everyone use the wax discs that you're supposed to put on top of the jam/jelly in the jar?  I've always done it (coz that's how I learnt) but what does it do/is it necessary?

[NormandyMary]

is there a microwave avaialble?  bout an inch in the bottom of the jar and nuke away.

That's what I do if I dont need too many to save putting the oven on and Ive had no problems.

[Bionic]

I wash mine in an ordinary bowl of washing up liquid and then put in the oven to dry out (sorry, i know you don't have an oven) rather than put a tea towel inside to dry them.
I then ALWAYS use the wax discs because thats how I have been taught too.
It will be ineresting to see the resulots without as I am sure some on here must do it that way.
Sally

[Anke]

I have never used a wax disc yet, and been making jams since being at Uni.... and that was more than 20 years ago....

[doganjo]

I do the same as Juliet, and I use the wax discs and the cellophane tops and rubber bands, then the correct lid for the jar as well.  Belts and braces - auditor instinct I guess