|
|
Post by Ozarks Tom on Apr 2, 2022 18:59:41 GMT
We've been looking for half gallon canning jars for a long time now. We ordered 6 cases from (ugh) Amazon some weeks back and only received four. A real hassle getting our money back on the other two, plus, they were around $22/case.
Sweet Bride went on an internet hunt last night and found where Menards, which has two stores in Springfield MO, had about 50 cases each. We called this morning to verify their inventory, and headed to town. Picked up 16 cases with no problem. Price was a little under $12/case. The had good stock on quarts and pints also, but we don't need any or we'd have filled the Suburban.
I noticed they've got 408 stores, so if you've got a Menards near you and need canning supplies you might check them out. They show their inventory online for each store, but I'd call anyway.
|
|
|
|
Post by wildhorseluvr on Apr 2, 2022 19:34:13 GMT
I have no reason to can such big portions, but kept most of my DMil’s 1/2 gal. jars *just because*. I plan on using them to store rice, beans, etc. I like to look at her old jars because she was a sweet lady and they remind me of her.
Lots of the usual pints and quarts around here now but ZERO lids. i have a decent supply so am not really looking to buy at the moment. A couple days ago I found 3 boxes of lids in a grocery store. First I’ve seen in well over 2 yrs. They wanted almost $6 for them.
|
|
|
|
Post by mzgarden on Apr 3, 2022 1:34:20 GMT
We got a wild deal on sausage over the weekend. I actually may need to buy some more jars to get it all canned up -- and then what do I do with the garden, lol. Guess I better get myself out to a Menards.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tim Horton on Apr 3, 2022 4:22:05 GMT
We've been looking for half gallon canning jars for a long time now.
--- ---
Are you finding good quality Ball Mason brand jars ?? Or China made ??
Jars are the last thing we need.. Or lids for that matter... We have plenty.. Although we are very watchful of some styles of jars.. We keep look for large mouth strait wall jars.. Either pint or quart size.. This mostly to can sausage pattys or like products...
|
|
|
|
Post by Ozarks Tom on Apr 3, 2022 11:56:32 GMT
Tim Horton, The ones we bought are Ball brand. wildhorseluvr, We've never had any luck canning in half gallon jars. We'll be using them for dry storage after vacuum sealing them. For instance, we bought 50# of sugar yesterday that we'll pack today. We've found the plastic one gallon jugs we're been using for dry storage aren't suitable long term due to moisture's ability to get in. Wouldn't have thought it, but the last jug we opened of sugar was hard as a rock and I had to pound a screwdriver into the contents to break it up, then sift the chunks.
|
|
|
|
Post by wildhorseluvr on Apr 3, 2022 12:55:42 GMT
Tim Horton , The ones we bought are Ball brand. wildhorseluvr , We've never had any luck canning in half gallon jars. We'll be using them for dry storage after vacuum sealing them. For instance, we bought 50# of sugar yesterday that we'll pack today. We've found the plastic one gallon jugs we're been using for dry storage aren't suitable long term due to moisture's ability to get in. Wouldn't have thought it, but the last jug we opened of sugar was hard as a rock and I had to pound a screwdriver into the contents to break it up, then sift the chunks. I’ve always been a bit uncomfortable about canning in the 1/2 gal. jars although Ido know people who’ve been very successful at it. Dry storage works for me. My very dry climate undoubtedly contributes to my success with dry storage, but I’ve done pretty well with storing sugar (and salt). I buy 2.5 gal. ZipLock type bags and put 2 side by side in a 5 gal. bucket, then fill and zip shut. The bucket lids fit tightly and have the black rubber gasket. I’ve stored these for years (15+!) in my barn where temps fluctuate from 108* or so in summer to -10* in winter. I’ve never found sugar that was actually hard as you describe. At times I’ve found some that looked like a solid mass, but pulled a bag out, gave it a few gentle whacks against the edge of a counter (or used a rubber mallet) and it mostly turned into loose sugar with a few smaller lumps I had to do a little more pounding on. Again, probably has a lot to do with my high desert climate. |
|
|
|
Post by Tim Horton on Apr 3, 2022 17:29:36 GMT
We've never had any luck canning in half gallon jars.
--- ---
We don't can in half gallon jars either.. I try to be careful about dry storage in glass limited to things that will not set up.. Only doing things like elbow macarroni and such.. A solid lump of sugar, salt, or like product that you have to disolve to get out of the jar with the fear of breaking the jar is not a good thing..
|
|
|
|
Post by Ozarks Tom on Apr 4, 2022 2:19:29 GMT
Tim Horton , I agree about not wanting packing with sugar/salt/etc. I'm hoping we've eliminated that problem by vacuum sealing the jars using the FoodSaver accessory attachments. But, since you mentioned it, I think we'll put it on the calendar to check a jar in a few months to see if we're experiencing any packing. Had some salt turn hard on us one time and I used a drill with a paddle bit to break it up.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tim Horton on Apr 4, 2022 5:34:24 GMT
Tom... I have a total of 5 rectangle and round paper salt containers that turned hard in the cold room.. It is cool, dark, and dry... But not completely moisture proof.. As in what ever moisture is in the air at tha moment..
Next summer I'm going to, hopefully, grind them back to useful with the Kitchen Aid shredder attachment.. This a job for out in the garage..
We bought a whole bunch of plastic containers of a course salt labeled ...pickeling, canning, curing... salt.. It appears to be a course Kosher size granuals.. It is plastic containers with a film sealed on top under the shaker lid.. It has stayed loose... So far...
I like to smoke course grain salt with hickory or alder wood pucks in the smoker... Then use it out of an old pepper grinder container.. Works well..
|
|
|
|
Post by ohiodreamer on Apr 4, 2022 21:09:31 GMT
Hubby keeps asking if we need more jars. We have plenty, but maybe I should get more. I found 1/2 gallons at our walmart last month (I had been looking for a year). I just looked....they still have some. Maybe I should get more for storing freeze dried "stuff". Problem is, I have more jars then shelving as it is.... Maybe it's time to purge books again....
|
|
