Information and discussion about canning and dehydrating tomatoes and other garden vegetables and fruits. DISCLAIMER: SOME RECIPES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH CURRENT FOOD SAFETY GUIDELINES - FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN RISK
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November 18, 2012 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 1,714
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Can I re-do after canning mistake?
Hi, this was my 2nd time canning, and I realized afterwards that I was supposed to use new lids each time. I thought my lids which were carefully taken off the first-time cannings were okay. They seemed to have sealed okay, but all sites I have visited say to use new. Since I already made 5 jars of salsa, which I put in the fridge after they cooled, I plan to go out and buy some more lids tomorrow.
Can I re-lid and put in a hot water bath then? Would I have to heat up the salsa, jars etc before the bath? Otherwise, I suppose I could freeze the whole mess in freezer bags but I'd rather not. Thanks! Suzie |
November 18, 2012 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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Reusing jar lids isn't recommended but if your jars have sealed properly then the contents should be just as safe as if the lids were new.
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November 18, 2012 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 6a - NE Tennessee
Posts: 4,538
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I agree with Kath. If they were sterilized in boiling water and then sealed perfectly, there should be no problems. But, like said before, it is not recommended.
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Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch |
November 18, 2012 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,521
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I've reused lids before too, provided they are scratch and dent free. You'll know soon enough if there is a problem with the jars you have already done, as you may get some oozing or popping. But I think as long as you keep them in the fridge and use them first, you probably will be okay. If you're worried, do any further canning with new lids. JMHO.
Zana |
November 18, 2012 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 1,714
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Thanks all. Since they are in the fridge now i guss I'll keep them in there even tho they are taking valuable space. I've read somewhere that if you wanted to start over after you've canned, that you could just fix whatever needs fixing (like an omitted ingredient) and do the hot water bath, etc. But what I want to know most of all is, if I choose to redo them (and I might), do I have to reheat the salsa before the bath? Is it critical that the contents be hot first?
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November 18, 2012 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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Yes, in order to be safe, the process must be completely redone. The salsa would have to be brought to boiling and heated through adequately and jars, lids, etc. must be cleaned and resterilized.
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November 18, 2012 | #7 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,488
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Quote:
I have reused lids before, even this year....long as they stay sealed you are fine...but if they break seal because of being reused....throw em out. I know I am repeating myself here but it seriously isn't worth it. You'll live if a lid pops and you have to throw out a bit of salsa, you might not if botulism gets you. PS Even if you use new lids...if it pops, throw it out. There are no exceptions to this rule. That's why they make lids that pop. It really is that important. New lid or old lid means nothing....point is if it pops, throw it out. The reason they say never use old lids is because they pop more likely....still work great if they don't pop though. IF IT POPS, THROW IT OUT
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Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture |
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November 26, 2012 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Texas Coastal Bend
Posts: 3,205
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If you were to "Fix" a problem the moment you realize there is a problem to "fix" and it happens to be the same day you originally canned the foods it would be safe to redo the process on the foods. I wouldn't reprocess anything after the first day to be on the safe side. There are some lids on the market that are reusable over and over again.
Here they are http://www.reusablecanninglids.com/s....php/shop.html
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November 26, 2012 | #9 |
Tomatoville® Recipe Keeper
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Roseburg, Oregon - zone 7
Posts: 2,821
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I think you are right, Margaret. It would have to be done fairly soon. I did not know there were reusable lids. Thanks for that info!
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Corona~Barb Now an Oregon gal |
November 26, 2012 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,488
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Fair enough. You two are correct. If you want to fix a popped lid the same day you originally processed it. Sure. Not enough time for any contamination to grow. Just can it again as usual.
I was primarily talking about a so called sealed lid that pops later, either due to reusing lids or contamination growing and releasing gasses that cant escape. I was more talking about the original posters scenario where the canning process seemed successful but the poster was concerned about future potential problems after finding out re using lids is not recommended. In that scenario re canning is dangerous and many people have been harmed trying it. This is because some bacteria and fungi release toxins and even killing the bacteria doesn't always remove the toxin. It would still be dangerous to eat after sterilising. Sorry.
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Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture Last edited by Redbaron; November 26, 2012 at 03:43 PM. |
November 26, 2012 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Romania
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We (me and my wife) do not use old lids because we are not sure they are doing their job properly. We observed that old lids fail more often than the new ones.
Regarding your question. If you have some suspicions or worries, better do again the sterilization process using new lids. No damage caused by double sterilization.
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Knowledge is knowing the tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting in your fruit salad |
November 26, 2012 | #12 |
Tomatoville® Recipe Keeper
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Scott, you are absolutely right. If a lid unseals later, I would not risk eating the food. I would throw it out.
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Corona~Barb Now an Oregon gal |
November 27, 2012 | #13 | ||
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Romania
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Quote:
But the question was: Quote:
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Knowledge is knowing the tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting in your fruit salad Last edited by Moshou; November 27, 2012 at 01:37 AM. |
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November 27, 2012 | #14 |
Tomatoville® Recipe Keeper
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Roseburg, Oregon - zone 7
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Yes, I was addressing Scott Redbaron's comments. I think all the questions have been discussed now. ;-))
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Corona~Barb Now an Oregon gal |
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