STERILISING JARS

Use one of these methods. Always start with washed jars and lids.

1 DISHWASHER METHOD

Put the jars and lids through the hottest cycle of a dishwasher without using any detergent.

2 BOILING METHOD

Place the jars horizontally in a large saucepan with the lids. Cover with cold water, then cover with a lid. Bring the water to the boil over a high heat; boil for 20 minutes.

3 OVEN METHOD

Do not use this method if using plastic lids. Stand the jars upright, without touching each other, on a wooden board on the lowest shelf in the oven. Turn the oven to the lowest possible temperature, close the oven door and leave the jars to heat through for 30 minutes.

Next, remove the jars from the dishwasher or oven using a towel, or from the boiling water with tongs and rubber-gloved hands. The water will evaporate from hot, wet jars quite quickly. Stand the jars upright, not touching each other, on a wooden board or bench covered with a clean towel to protect it.

Pour hot preserves into hot jars until the jars are filled to the top (unless indicated otherwise by the recipe). Secure the lids tightly, holding the jars firmly with a towel or oven mitt while doing this. Leave the preserves at room temperature to cool before labelling and storing.