Jam

[ChaosInCamelot]

Do you keep your home made jam in the fridge before it is opened? In the past I have made enough to fill 4 or so jars so have kept them in the fridge and used one at a time, but tonight I have made 10 jars and don't really want to fill half a fridge shelf if I don't have to. Especially as we don't get through it that quickly so will prob take all winter to use it all!

The recipe I have followed (and have used before) doesn't tell me.

I kept some of mine in the freezer in plastic tubs. It didnt go hard just sort of like fudge toffee consistency. It tastes and works just fine.

We have one in the fridge that is being used and the rest of our homemade jam goes on the shelf in the garage.

No. I keep it in a coolish, darkish room. I've got marmalade that's been in there fora year or so and it's fine. No mould. So long as you've sterilised the jars properly and filled them as full as possible and sealed them properly it'll be fine out of the fridge.

Ok thanks all. Will put them in the shed or garage I think. Our freezer is not enormous so need to keep space there free if poss. Sterilised via the dishwasher and used immediately (nigella said this was ok, is it?!), and full nearly to brim. Lids done tightly!...though not too tightly. My first batch ever a couple of years ago contained a jar that I never managed to re open as I had shut it a bit too enthusiastically- every visitor to our house had a go but I had to throw it in the end

Yes, I always do mine on the hot setting of the dishwasher.

I store my ones in kitchen cupboard. But I have sterilised pots before using by putting them in vigorously boiling water with little bit of salt for 15 minutes minimum. Then fill hot pot with jam put lid on and boil again for 10 minutes in vigorously boiling water. I have done this for years with jams, soups, etc. and they literally last for many years.

ChaosInCamelot:

Jam is a PRESERVE!!!!

ie. it will keep!

Your lids DO need to be on very tight - the metal button should pop as they cool down. Otherwise air will get in and the jam will go mouldy.

Mine keep fine out of the fridge - some for over a year. Sterilised jars (I use the oven method) wax circles on the top, sealed with cellophane lids and elastic bands. No mould. Once they're opened I use a proper lid and put them in the fridge.

Chaos - re your unopenable jar. It may have vacuum sealed itself (which is what meltedmarsbar describes, when the button on the lid pops down) I know it's too late now but heating the lid should make it expand and you can open it. I pour a small amount of boiling water on the lids of my bottled fruit jars, it sits in the hollow on top. After 5 mins or so they open easily.

I keep mine in the cupboard. the bottles are sterilised (washed in hot soapy water then dried in the oven) and they have wax disks and tight fitting screw on lids. Even once opened I keep them in the cupboard, a jar doesn't last more than a couple of weeks in our house anyway! We are just finishing last summer's jam ready to start on this summer's

Jars that cant be opened because of vacuum can also be released by tipping them upside down and slamming them down lid first on to a tea towel laid on the table. The contents slip down towards the lid so releasing the vacuum.

Dont hammer too hard though as it might break.

Thanks for further replies since I last posted. Was mainly concerned about how long they would keep as I thought that commercially produced preserves often contain additives that keep them preserved for longer. Am also reusing old jam jars so they don't really vacuum seal in the same way as brand-new ones. All safely in shed now!

MMB- yes I know what preserve means, don't see the need for a sarky face. We're not in the yabu section here.

Ps, shall make notes on jar opening techniques should that happen again

To release lids you want a jar key. No jar has ever defeated me, and I recommend them to my elderly clients who are always amazed by the utter simplicity of the concept.