Canning Jars and Longevity

**llama momma** 7/16/2014, 9:13 am

How many times may canning jars be processed before replacing those with new ones?
Last night the speaker at the extension office said jars can be safely used 18 times through the canning process. Then replace with new jars.

I expect there are differing opinions. Still, I thought it was a decent guideline if anyone was wondering. Some used jars were given to me and others are new. It'll be interesting trying to tell the difference years down the road. Wink

herblover 7/16/2014, 9:25 am

LM,
Years upon years;I have reused the same jars probably many more times than that. I only will toss a jar if it gets a nick on the edge (prevents a good seal). Also, don't worry if after many uses you have a white cloudiness that you can't wash out of the jar; that is just from hard water and will not affect quality or safety.

**llama momma** 7/16/2014, 9:28 am

Hi There Herblover,
That is so good to hear your experience with repeated use. I knew about the nicks and sealing. We've heard of new jars breaking too.

**AtlantaMarie** 7/16/2014, 9:36 am

We've been using some of the same jars for over 20 years. No problems...

If they're turning whitish, you might try Simple Green. I know it works wonders on glass & crystal.

**llama momma** 7/16/2014, 9:40 am

Atl. Marie and Herblover

4 Years on this site and my little learning never quits. Thanks Ladies!

CapeCoddess 7/16/2014, 10:25 am

This is interesting. Like you, lm, I also have a mixed bag of used and new jars, and will join the wait and see game.

I wonder if there's a time limit on the reusable Tattler lids...?

CC

Nonna.PapaVino 7/16/2014, 10:43 am

Not only have I canned in jars I purchased over 30 years ago, but I also use jars given to me by my mom and my mother-in-law. Some of those jars date back to the 1950s. In fact, some may be older as they have numbers cast into the bottoms. The recommended limit on times to use the newer jars may reflect a less reliable glass or manufacture than older jars. Or it may reflect a modern attitude to "use up and throw away" unlike that of our mothers/grandmothers who lived through The Great Depression. After all, my mom's pressure canner, purchased right after WWII, was still in use two years ago just before Mom moved to assisted living. My sister is using it now. Nonna

**camprn** 7/16/2014, 10:54 am

herblover wrote:LM,
Years upon years;I have reused the same jars probably many more times than that. I only will toss a jar if it gets a nick on the edge (prevents a good seal). Also, don't worry if after many uses you have a white cloudiness that you can't wash out of the jar; that is just from hard water and will not affect quality or safety.

+1
Also +1 with Nonna.

I tried the cheap jars available at Wally world, they are made in China have inconsistent thickness and too many failures to prompt me to buy more. The molded glass mason jars from USA are of better quality and should keep going for years if treated with care. Weck jars are very good quality.
http://foodinjars.com/tag/european-canning-jars/

**llama momma** 7/16/2014, 11:16 am

Nonna.PapaVino wrote:. After all, my mom's pressure canner, purchased right after WWII, was still in use two years ago just before Mom moved to assisted living. My sister is using it now. Nonna

Wow. The guarantee on a Presto pressure canner I saw online this morning was for 12 years. How do you like that.

Judy McConnell 7/16/2014, 12:03 pm

Goodness, I have canning jars from at least 40+ years ago and they are STILL good to go.

Can't say anything good or bad about today's "modern cheap jars" because I'm still using "my collection" of oldies but goodies.

**AtlantaMarie** 7/16/2014, 8:31 pm

I've got one of the big Presto pressure canners. LOVE it!!! Can double stack pint jars if necessary.

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