OK so I made jam in my breadmaker...

[Kewcumber]

because my neighbour is going off to Germany and has dumped the contents of her freezer on me. I don't have room for it all so have piles of melting smushy strawberries and what I think might be pureed cherries. Couldn't bear to throw it all away and noticed that my breadmaker has a jam setting, so thrw all the strawberries and cherries (yeah yuk, I know but they might be some other fruit that goes really well with strawberries...) in with pectin sugar and a handful of crystallised ginger (hey I thought it might be nice!).

Of course in my ususal shambolic fashion I have nothing to put jam in (4 yr old in bed in house on my own so don't suggest midnight dash to asda to buy anything).

So I have washed out olive jar and blitzed in microwave (that will sterilise right?) and I have found a polycarbonate jug which I have also microwaved and thrown th erest in there.

So quetions are..

1 - do I put in fridge or leave to cool on side
2 - can I put anything on top in the ansence of greaseproof paper
3 - will this jam be ttally hideous
4 - would anyone like some jam.

• cool on the side - if you put pots of molten jam in your fridge it will raise the temp too much.

• you should put jars in the oven to sterilise

• not sure about replacement for grease-proof paper.

• No, sounds nice, esp the ginger!

...but no thank you

{remember to sterilise the funnel too!)

funnel?! I needed a funnel?

only if you're putting into jars. don't worry, I re-read your post.

I'm sure it'll be fine.. just leave it to cool until it's room temp, then whack it in a cold fridge

1)Do not cool in fridge
Microwave to sterilise is OK
2)Use well washed jar lid on jar
cling film on jug
3)If jam tastes OK but fails to set properly - call it fruit coolie - if it is too thick - use to make jam tarts, jam suet puddings, hot trifle, etc
4)Thanks for the offer but I have jam coming out my ears and am currently making ginger marmalade (it is fab)

Thank you both.

Hope jar lid doesn't still smell of olives... will try clingfilm onjug.

Now to find some mugs friends to try some.

If you are still alive by the end of tomorrow, I'll try it... I think my life insurance is up to date...

('tis lemon, by the way; I'm not sure whether people are up to date with my current noms de plume)

Ooh it sounds lovely, if you are anywhere near me (Leamington Spa) I'll have some - would probably be too heavy to post.

My mother, after years of sterilising jam jars, now freezes jam in large plastic boxes. She scoops out some (it doesn't freeze solid) for the jam dish, which she keeps in the cupboard in the winter, fridge in summer.

well it looks and smells like jam and appears to have set like jam. haven't tried any yet... will report back.

You're on Lemon - I'm not working at the moment so if you want to pop around at some point then I will ply you with toast and jam!

I like the freezing in plastic boxes idea - don't you have to sterilise plastic boxes?

I'm getting carried away with the idea of making jam to sell at my mums street party cake stall (can you sell jamon a cake stall?).

I could pop round after school with DS if you survive the trying and reporting back process?

Have just remembered that I am on a diet that doesn't allow jam until week after next, but DCs are big jam fans.

I think you can sell jam anywhere that people will buy it.

ooh jam is bloody delicious! Ginger not very in evidence - just adds a faint tingle to the tongue. Other fruit still unidentifiable but jam tastes of strawberry so thats OK.

I can be here after school but DS will not be so depends whether you want DC's to play!

When is your DS around this week? Would be nice for them to see each other if that's workable.

We are around Friday afternoon this week, normally around Friday and weds afternoons

anyone know where I can get cheap jam pots?

Prof - I'll FB you my mobile and home numbers in case you don't have my mobile number as I have changed back and forth a few times.

Local ironmonger stocks them but they are £1.00 each. Maybe OK if for home use/reuse but no use if you want to sell jam at a profit.

I just collect all my & DDs' jars - baby food, beetroot, coffee, honey, etc. Re-use original tops and cover with gingham fabric circles + rubber band + ribbon. Price according to size of jar.

I just don't go through many jars now that DS is 4. Perhaps I should ask friends to collect for me instead of buying as I want to sell them at local street party (proceeds going towards cost of insurance etc) if I have to spend £20/30 pounds making them I may as well just give them £30!

If you froze it you could then ask people to bring a jam jar on the day and you could fill it up??

actually have advertised for them on freecycle so hopefully will get a few this way.