Once you've made jam...

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Strawberry jam made and in jars. Still warm though. Leave overnight before putting in fridge?

Why would you put it in the fridge? It shouldn't need to be refrigerated until you've opened the jar. Mmm, real strawberry jam - I'm jealous!

Oh I hadn't thought of that. Never made it before! Good point. Thanks

Put the wax discs, cellophane or lids on when the jam is quite cold (ie tomorrow morning). Don't do it when it's still warm otherwise you are likely to get mould growth on the surface of the jam.

I just keep mine in a cupboard, keeps a year no problem. I always put the wax discs and lids on hot, never had mould. Will think about the logic of that.

Ok, thought about that a bit more. The mould comes from microbes, these should be negligible in the fresh jam as it has just been boiled and the jar sterilised. The most likely source is therefore the atmosphere, so you need to minimise exposure by filling the jars as full as you can and sealing them ASAP.

When I studied microbiology we had to do an experiment with two trays of identical soup, one sealed immediately and one exposed to the atmosphere for an hour before sealing. They were then stored in a warm room for a couple of weeks and mould growth monitored, the mould started more quickly and in many more clusters on the exposed sample than the quickly sealed one, the difference was quite startling. So, I would always put the lid back on as soon as you have used it, as well as ASAP after making.

That's interesting. I did out on straight away though mostly to minimise chances of spilling hot jam on myself.

yes, greaseproof circles and lids on straightaway...never get mould...mil lets it cool 1st and we have had a few mouldy ones off her...shame as she makes nice jam

It's delicious. I don't think I've had nicer jam ever before.

Never bothered faffing with wax circles. Three year old plum jam (kept in a cool pantry, not our hot kitchen) absolutely fine. No mould.

It is OK to put the wax disc and lids on when the jam is very hot. Just don't do it when it's warm. I always do mine when it's very hot. Everything must be scrupulously clean - heat jars in the oven and boil the lids if using. BTW discs are not compulsory it just helps to seal or protect the surface of the jam against microbes/mould spores.