I was really bothered by the necessity of replacing that little metal lid every single time. So, in researching alternatives, I found some lids called “toddler lids” which are a reusable lid and seal for canning in your mason jars and it's a plastic lid with a rubber gasket that you can reuse and I haven't used those personally because at the same time I also found out about “weck jars”. They have glass lids and contrary to metal lids they use rubber seal. In addition, the glass lid doesn't rust and you can use them over and over again with only the seal having to be changed out.
I was having a hard time finding a whole lot of clear information whenever I began researching these items for the purpose of canning and I wanted to remedy that lack of information by sharing with you the some features and images of the pots that I’m successful using for preserving and storing my food.
I prefer them because, in my understanding, the manufacture figured out the dangers of BPA that are being reportedly found in the plastic or any other dangerous chemicals from the plastic that lines the bottom of most of metal lids. So, I liked the idea of using glass in the whole container.
Can you reuse the little rubber gasket on these glass jars with glass lids?
I read some conflicting information; some blogs said that these had to be replaced every time. However, Some literatures and through forums I found people had been using their rubber gaskets for many years and that they only replaced them when they became warped or began to dry, rot or if they were imperfect.
If they got torn in any way they would be replaced. And that makes sense to me considering that rubber in so many areas is something that can be reused, it can be sanitized, and it doesn't lose its ability to do its job as a seal. So, I personally feel that it is safe and I made the decision after all of my research that I was completely comfortable with canning in containers like these and with reusing the rubber gaskets. I definitively consider these wide months, health, and very easy to use items as the way to go.
There is a variety weck items out there meaning that you can find different capacities and shapes. One is 290 milliliters (9.8 oz) and this is the little one good for fruit, butters and other similar things that require large lid. One is the 390 milliliters (13.18 oz). Then you've a 500 (16.91 oz) and 580 milliliters (19.61 oz) cylindrical containers these are good for storing asparagus or similar product. Now you have the 850 milliliters (28.74 oz) with a very large lid which easily fits my hand and I've got pretty big hands. Lastly you have the 1 liter (33.81 oz). These items are most commonly used in places like the UK in Germany where they are made from. In these places, the ball canning jars are a lot harder to get as the market is not that favorite for destructive jars.
Cons
The containers manufacture uses different units of measurement. Instead of fluid ounces or gallon, which is typically used here in the United States, the producer uses liters and milliliters which could be slightly confusing and just take a little bit of extra brainpower if you’re not familiar to these measurement units.
Pros
You can make the choice to reuse that rubber gasket eliminating the need of buying consumable product every single time that you do your canning. So, you would have the option of canning without having to buy any consumable parts.
The weck jars are beautiful and the glass is really strong which make them durable and considerable resistant to shock.
Literature claim that unlike most of containers out there these glass jars with glass lids are BPA-free.
Do you have to replace all items right away?
You don’t need to do that in a short period of time. I, for example, have a sizable collection of Mason jars I’ll continue to use them for giving as gifts. I give a lot of canned goods away as gifts for Christmas presents and I'm planning to prepare a number of Christmas gifts for next holiday. With certain level of caution I will religiously continue to use all of the mason jars that I have. And I encourage you to check out the five images below and give a try to these marvelous weck containers that are claimed to be BPA-free.
Great Size Weck Glass Storing Jar (16.9 Ounce)
Charming Food Storage Weck Jars (16.9 Ounce)
Beautful Weck Tulip Jar (33.81 ounce)
Wonderful weck Juice Jar (11.5 Ounce )
