Reddit mentions: The best canning lids

For books, I highly recommend Fermented Vegetables and Fiery Ferments. The Kindle editions of both go on sale regularly. In fact, Fermented Vegetables is currently $2.99.

For lids, I assemble my own. The new Ball Leak-Proof Storage lids aren't leak proof, but they're better than the old-style white ones. Sturdier too. Buy them at your local grocery store—they'll be way cheaper than Amazon. You'll also need 3/8" x 5/8" rubber grommets, which you can find in your local DIY store in the electrical section—you want ones that have a 3/8" inner hole and fit into a 1/2" hole, with an outside diameter of 5/8". Finally, 3-piece airlocks, which are going to be cheapest at your local homebrew store (they should be a $1, maybe $1.50). 3-piece are easier to clean than the 1-piece. From there, you just drill a 1/2" hole in the lid, insert the grommet, and then insert the airlock. Support the lid around the hole as you insert the airlock so you don't crack the plastic.

Other equipment:

• Sauer Stones are my favorite glass weights. Right now they're $10.95 for four. I think I have 20 or 24 of them at this point. They work great in conjunction with a cabbage or horseradish leaf to keep everything under the brine.
  
• You can never go wrong with having a couple of food-grade 5-gallon buckets kicking around for mixing kimchi, or salting large batches of sauerkraut, or even fermenting in. Again, these are cheapest at your local DIY store. Get a lid with a gasket, and make sure you grease the gasket with food-grade grease.
  
• Jars. Stop at garage sales, thrift stores, and rummage shops. You'll occasionally find a good deal on mason jars, or a unique Fido jar, or who knows what. The more you ferment, the more you're going to end up in situations where you need odd-sized jars. If you come across Fido jars with bad or missing gaskets, these work really well.
  
• More jars. If you need larger jars or want to buy new, Fido jars from EverythingKitchens.com by way of Google Express is the cheapest I've found them. Free shipping for buying a certain amount, sometimes you get a discount from Express for your first order, blah blah blah.
  
• Even more jars. If you need gallon sized jars that you want to fit with an airlock, this is the cheapest I've found them. Get the plastic lids, then see the instructions above. If you need extra lids (for storage), these fit and are of good quality. The 1-star review is from some dumb-dumb who ordered the wrong size.
  
• Oh. One more thing. Pouring things out of mason jars sucks. They always dribble, etc. But they're also the best way to store, say, fermented cordials, or to mix up your brine (cap and shake the shit out of it). These lids do not come cheap, but they are well worth the purchase price. Leak-proof, with a removable rubber gasket, we use them for everything from drinking to storage. And they pour like a dream. Easy to clean too.
  
• Actually, one more one more thing. Get yourself a good strainer/filter/funnel set. This one is, again, not super-cheap, but I got rid of all my other ones and use it exclusively. It disassembles, screws to wide-mouth mason jars, has a plastic strainer for the first stage and a fine-mesh filter for the second stage, the narrow bottom part is silicone and is removable, and you can put a coffee filter in the fine-mesh filter portion if you need to.
  
  One last thing. I see folks suggesting sanitizer. It's absolutely pointless for lactic fermentation. You're not sanitizing the vegetables that go in, or your hands, so there's no point in using anything more than soap and water on your equipment. If you're talking about brewing beer or cider or wine or something where you're looking to introduce a specific strain of bacteria, yeast, or fungus, then you need to sterilize.

What I always suggest is to first decide what you're going to can, how much you will be canning at one time and what size jars you will be canning in.

These are important to know because, as others have said, jellies, jams, fruits, pickles and properly acidified tomatoes can be done in a water bath canner, while vegetables and meats must be pressure canned.

Knowing what size of jars you are going to be using makes a difference in what size of canner(s) you will need. If you're canning for a family, you will likely need to use quart sized jars. But if you are a single person or a couple, you will probably only want to do pint jars.

Too, it's customary that jams or jellies are canned in half-pint jars although it is perfectly acceptable to do them in pints if you will use that much jam in a reasonable amount of time once it's been opened. Large mouth jars (both pints and quarts) and their lids are more more expensive than the regular mouth jars. However, meats and things like whole pickles or pickle spears almost require large-mouth jars.

The jar size also matters because some canners don't work with larger sized jars. Also, very large canners will accept two layers of jars which is great for canning many jars at a time but time and energy wasting to use for small batches.

To get started water-bath canning, the only must haves are:

1. Jars
   
2. Lids and rings
   
3. Stock pot or canner (with lid) at least 3" deeper than your jars
   
4. Jar lifter
   
5. Trivet to keep the jars from touching the bottom of the pot (a layer of extra jar rings works brilliantly for this)
   
   The most affordable places to buy these supplies are going to be somewhere local to you. None are very expensive at all. Some water-bath canners come with a rack inside them, which is both a trivet and a jar lifter itself. New boxes of jars come with lids and rings. The rings (also called bands) are reusable, the lids are not, but anywhere that sells the jars will have more lids. Walmart, Target, K-Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, ACE Hardware and places like that will have nearly everything you need for water-bath canning.
   
   As for pressure canning, you will need:
   
   
6. Jars
   
7. Lids and rings
   
8. Jar lifter
   
9. Pressure canner (equipped with lid, gasket, weight, gauge & trivet)
   
   I highly recommend that you read up and shop around before buying a pressure canner. They are somewhat of an investment at between $70 and $400. When you're ready to select a pressure canner, come back and ask and I know everyone around here will help you decide what's right for you. The inexpensive canners are very good but there are also very good reasons to buy a more pricey one and it takes a whole post in itself to discuss them!
   
   Something inexpensive and very nice to have is a little canning set like this no matter which method of canning you do. These tools will be safer to use rather than winging it and will save you infinite amounts of time and frustration. I've seen these same sets at Walmart for something like $8-$10.
   
   I hope this helps!

So, I love coffee. It just has always been a hassle for me. Due to my life style, recent jobs, handling my ADD poorly....I just stopped.

Between waking up at 330 for work, trying to stay up late with family, coffee was something I just put down. I would either leave the coffee grinds in the pot, not have time in the morning, not clean out my french press after cold brewing while rusing out the door. Even on my days off, the dread of cleaning something to make coffee made me dread the though.

Well, I decided a simple set up sounded nice. So, without much research I just decided to order:

A couple bags

https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Cotton-Cold-Brew-Coffee/dp/B019BFGMSS

Two 32oz Mason jars and

Two drinking lids

https://www.amazon.com/County-Line-Kitchen-Leak-Proof-Innovative/dp/B07FB4HHLW



I didn't do any research, and idk if I'm doing a great job. I have tons of questions and hope to do some research on concentrate and how much I should use. That said, it's been simple to clean within a min or less and refill. I woke up late today and had 5 min to get ready for work. I got to leave the house with coffee! For the first time in years, I got a small comfort this morning. Yay!


How's my setup? Been using 1:4 ratio for 16 hours give or take. Mostly I've just added sugar, today's was a bit stronger and I added a cup of skim milk. Amazing.

but one of the two bottles n the fridge currently is 1:2 because I had 3 opened bags of ground coffee I needed to get rid of (I used to work for a coffee company, so I currently have 8 bags if beans that are "out of date" left. My former employees still over me coffee. I hope not to use that too often. I'd like to learn to be a little frugal and perfect a good percentage to cost ratio)


I'm rambling. I'm hoping this sub has some good links or data for me to learn from. I've been so happy with my simple setup so far.

I'm way to excited. Maybe too much caffeine this morning too!

Definitely a Texan thing, but it's not a bad thing either. Mason jars are super cheap, glass, well sealed and easy to clean, and they come in a ton of varieties! My friend has some with mug handles on them that might be nice, or you could get a bottle jar lid like this for them! :)

On mobile. Sorry for formatting. There are a few. These are the ones I’ve used.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7O19DI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sFxZCbV3XM5R0

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0169E49GG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7HxZCbTMPF8ZA

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BKSVPQ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wHxZCbD99VKQ5

OP: I use them to propagate too. Get some good succulent soil and fill it most of the way. Works fine as long as you don’t overwater. I’ve def overwatered and lost a few, and they can’t live in there indefinitely but they’ve worked out really well for me. They make it easy to give them to friends as cute little gifts. Good luck!

I use something like that from Amazon. Here’s an awesome tip for you. Rather than putting the grounds in the strainer, I just add it directly into the mason jar and let it sit over night without inserting the cylinder strainer. Then when it’s done cold brewing, I insert the strainer to filter out the big particles and then put this flip top cap on it to pour over into a separate container while using a nut mesh bag to get the finer particles.

Fliptop cap for mason: Drink, Pour, Store! Wide Mouth Mason Jar Flip Cap Lid by County Line Kitchen with Airtight, Leak-Proof Seal and Innovative Flip Cap (WIDE MOUTH, Blue, 1 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0776YQTLS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tV.CDbG70SRQF

Nut bag mesh strainer:
2-PACK Best Nut Milk Bag - Restaurant Commercial Grade by GoNuts - Cheesecloth Strainer Filter For the Best Almond Milk, Cold Brew Coffee, Tea, Juicing, Yogurt, Tofu - BPA-Free Nylon 12"x10" Fine Mesh - Durable Washable Reusable - FREE Recipe E-book https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WFU80KA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-X.CDbF4N6DW3

Here are all the things you need to know to start canning foods at home.

Canning Basics

Only Pressure Canning is recommended by the USDA for home canning of Meats or Vegetables. I recommend this large capacity pressure canner

Fruits, Jams and Jellies, Tomatoes and Salsas can be Water Bath Canned in most cases. This is a nice kit to get started with from Jarden

Ignore the steam canner, microwave canner, open water bath kettle, and any "reusable" canning lids---these are all a quick way to discover food poisoning.

Buy standard canning jars at garage sales and thrift stores---I like the wide mouth jars best. I also run an ad on craigslist offering to buy jars when I need them. I pay $2.50 per dozen for the pint size and $4.00 a dozen for the quart size. Carefully check each jar's rim to make sure there are no flaws or chips. (Always store empty jars with rings on them to avoid getting chips.) New jars with lids and rings are available in most grocery stores for $9-$14 per dozen. Buy brand name jars only---this is not a time to use cheap knock offs. Each jar should be clearly imprinted Ball, Mason or Kerr. There are many brands of vintage jars and all of those should be fine as long as the rim is sound. Save the boxes and dividers that come with new jars and use them to store the finished products.

Always use new canning lids Never reuse this part!

Remember, you don't have to grow a garden to benefit from home canning--now is a great time to buy produce while it's cheap!

Today's Buy of the Day: 12 ounce bags organic green beans-already trimmed and washed at 2/$1.00 = 24 quarts of green beans with bacon and shitaki mushrooms(33 cents a pack!) now in the pantry for about 50 cents per quart!

You can use mason jars. The regular wide mouth pint holds the amount you mentioned (15 oz). They are reusable, easy to stack, easy to clean, and you can use them for other food items when you’re done breastfeeding as well!

If you’re going that route - I would highly suggest investing in something like this to make pouring easy once thawed - https://www.amazon.com/Masontops-Multi-Plastic-Mason-Spout/dp/B0789FJWD5

My magical butter machine make it pretty easy to male an alcohol tincture. The only issue with it is cooling down the alcohol. The smell is horrid and the alcohol vapor isn’t great to breath in.

After a bit of searching I found that a still would be the best option for my issue.

This mason jar top and some tubing from the hardware store and I’m set.

Aozita Mason Jar lids Pour Spout with Caps for olive oil dispenser and Salad Dressing Shaker - 18/8 Stianless Steel Pour lids for Ball and More https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCF7YHW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6QkSCbAW30FKW

Mason Jars Mason Jars Mason Jars.

Mason jars are amazing. Get around 10 [regular ones] (http://www.amazon.com/Fox-Run-Mason-Canning-16-Ounce/dp/B000SN0WES/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1346108406&sr=8-7&keywords=mason+jars) and 10 [handled ones] (http://www.amazon.com/WineGlass--NON-Strengthened-Inexpensive-functional-Traditional-drinkware/dp/B0037313M6/ref=sr_1_6?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1346108512&sr=1-6&keywords=mason+jars+handle). They last forever, super cheap, and extremely practical. You can use them for canning ( r/canning), use them for storage (look for some plastic lids on amazon or ebay), and many types of blenders support them [without any addons] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaiHuqwRAko).

Imagine making smoothies inside your own cup (like a regular magic bullet except better) and removing the blade and adding in a drinking lid (like [this] (http://www.dailygrommet.com/products/cuppow-to-go-lids-for-mason-jars) or [this] (http://www.amazon.com/reCAP-Original-Mason-Jar-Pour/dp/B008M9J4QC). Or even grinding your own parmesian cheese and putting on a shaker lid.)

If you do not want to pay for them (even though they are really cheap), there are so many food products in major and minor grocery stores that are stored in mason jars (especially spagetti sauce).

Grow your own? Then you only need to grow what you'll use. I throw a tablespoon of alfalfa seeds in a mason jar on Thursday evening or Friday morning. Cover them with water and drain that 12 hours later. Rinse once in the morning, once in the evening for the next few days and by Monday morning I'm throwing fresh alfalfa sprouts in my salad. Once they're a few days old I put the mason jar in the fridge and stop rinsing, they'll stay fresh for a few more days. I use these lids but you could rig up something with some plastic mesh and the mason lid rim or a rubber band. If you do that, find a way to prop the jar up so it drains. Super easy. I've had one batch go slimy and that was mostly because I forgot to rinse them once or twice.

I got this jar jacket and these lids and straws for quart mason jars, and I love them. It helps me drink more water throughout the day. And now I don't ever want to use a regular cup or glass, lol!

Make your own! Honestly, if you like kimchi and eat it a lot, it's the best solution.

• Jars, set of 6
  
• Caps, individual. Probably don't need more than one or two for active fermenting
  
• Airlocks, set of 3. These should fit the lids I listed, but you can wait for the cap, then get a specifically fitted on at Brew and Grow at Kedzie/Addison.
  
• Recipe/technique
  
  
  You can also get the kit as an "all in one" package. But if you plan on fermenting a bunch of stuff, or storing multiple batches, it's more economic to buy it the way I listed. You can see the kit is just exactly what I listed, marked up in price in individual sets.

You should be able to find lids (seals) pretty inexpensive on Amazon or from a farm/agriculture supply store. I'm in the US, so we have a large selection of types/prices of jars. I usually get 12 pints for $7.99 with lids and bands. Lids run about $2 or $3 a box here at either Walmart, Target or the local hardware store. I've even found canning stuff at my local grocery store.

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Bernardin-Mason-Jar-Lids-GEM/dp/B000G6XVOA/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1473063133&sr=1-1&keywords=canning+lids&refinements=p_89%3ABernardin

They are even cheaper if you buy them in bulk. Make sure you know if you need wide mouth or regular lids.

Pretty sure I got mine at Walmart or Target, but Amazon has them too. Ball brand plastic wide mouth screw-top lids...I generally use them for anything I'm not canning for long-term OR room temperature storage. BEWARE: if you put them on when the liquid inside is still boiling hot, the plastic lid will "seal" and it will be on so tight, you'll break your hand trying to wrench it open.

Source: Made jalapenos last week...have broken hand now.

Edit: A word

Now you just need something like [this] (https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Straw-Mouth-Mason-Straws/dp/B074L5FPMZ/) (or just pop a hole in that top) to help prevent spills, cause lets face it, mornings are hard =)

I found these at Target (I think they were cheaper too). I like them best on the taller pint and a half jars.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GYB3I94/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_1?qid=1421979207&sr=8-1-spell&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

If you get some of these, you can blend your pizza and drink it on the go! I like to add almond milk, kale, and 17 bananas for a delicious smoothie.

Hello Hypnos, we hope to someday earn your business. I believe this is the closest thing we've seen to "spill proof" mason jar lids? If we run into any true spill proof lids we'll let you know!

Kentucky Home Brands

I never strain yogurt since finding info about adding 1/2 cup powdered milk per quart of whole milk. Works great. You end up with Greek style thick yogurt without staining.

https://www.thekitchn.com/better-homemade-yogurt-5-ways-125442

I use these since the top of the mason jar sits above the water line in my setup. Never touches yogurt.

https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Wide-mouth-Plastic-Storage-16-count/dp/B016YNPH04/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_79_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SFVS9MZVBVG7B5SE6178

I use mason jars with the blender ball dropped in or the blender bottle I picked up when starting. Thinking to get a few Recap lids
http://www.amazon.com/reCAP-Mason-Jars-Pour-Cap/dp/B00AYPU3B2
or
http://www.amazon.com/reCAP-Mason-Jars-Pour-Cap/dp/B00AYPU4UM

A friend has some of these that he uses for smoothies and drinks on the go with mason jars. They seal up tight and work really well.

They sell reusable squeeze tubes that cake decorators use for royal icing dispensing (just an example https://www.michaels.com/default/10265132.html?cm_mmc=PLASearch-_-google-_-MICH_Shopping_US_N_AllProducts_N_N_N_T1-_-All+Other+Tier+1&gclsrc=aw.ds&&cm_mmc=PLASearch-_-google-_-MICH_Shopping_US_N_AllProducts_N_N_N_T1-_-All+Other+Tier+1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtMvlBRDmARIsAEoQ8zR9An6Rpz5D3ykDB-868O9gTg8LBH8dBVeT6A2-MGbIv14yphN44kgaAklaEALw_wcB) Not glass, but also not single use! Target sells an interesting looking glass honey dispenser that might work, but it only holds 1cup at a time.

Edit: https://www.amazon.com/Jarware-82623-Dipper-Regular-Orange/dp/B01410LSP0 OUUUUUU what about thIS?

I’m thinking rockwool will be the best medium with the least amount of nutrients. But know that I’m just guessing.

Depending on the size/scope of your experiment.... could maybe grow them all the older fashioned way.... in large mouth mason jars with just rinsing them with water, mhp or the kit nutrients. I’d have to think on that.

You can often find canning jars without lids at garage sales and thrift stores. You can buy lids at any hardware store, or other store that sells canning goods.

Some jars have wide mouths, some have regular mouths (it's based on the diameter of the jar opening. You can buy these plastic lids
http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Regular-Mouth-Storage-Caps/dp/B0000BYC4B

or you can get the more typical metal lids and bands. http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Regular-Mouth-Lids-Bands/dp/B000BWY314/ref=sr_1_9?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1405299770&sr=1-9

The plastic ones are easier to use for storage because you don't have to wash both the lid and band. But since you aren't canning anything, you can reuse the metal lids and bands as many times as you want---as long as they are not rusty.

A wide-mouthed funnel like this makes it a lot easier to pour rice in.
http://www.amazon.com/Ball-1440010770-Home-Canning-Funnel/dp/B00203K1MW/ref=sr_1_40?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1405299891&sr=1-40

You could also pour your rice into plastic freezer bags and stick them in the freezer or fridge.

Another option (probably the best)--buy canisters at thrift stores or garage sales. They're expensive new, but cheap used.

Oh, another option! Store rice in plastic Coke bottles. Or old glass iced tea bottles.

Don't buy more brown rice than you can eat in 6 months. The oil in the hull can go rancid (best if you freeze or refrigerate if you can). But the hull and the oil are very good for you.

I get these plastic lids from amazon for my lunches, I should think they work well for this. https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Storage-Regular-Mouth-Package/dp/B00OAKGLC2

And I use something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Storage-Regular-Mouth-Package/dp/B00OAKGLC2/

Could try something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Straw-Lids-Fits-Mouth/dp/B00GYB3I94

A couple models have done this

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/fox-run-honey-jar-dipper/1016949647

https://www.amazon.com/Jarware-82623-Honey-Dipper-Orange/dp/B01410LSP0


(Half curious to see how that new Reddit affiliate-linking thing impacts these above)

You can also use a regular canning jar. They sell lids that come with huge straws. This is what I have.

https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Straw-Lids-Fits-Mouth/dp/B00GYB3I94/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=ball+jar+lid+with+straw&qid=1556981701&s=gateway&sr=8-8

Right grocery stores and some department stores will have them if not check amazon, target and walmart online ship to store services.
walmart listing

Don't like walmart / big box stores

If only want one or two jars go check the Spaghetti sauce or pickled vegetable isle in glass jars, there are some brands that try to go retro and the jars even say ball or kerr sometimes. You pick out a few jars you like then buy regular or wide mouth canning lids (much cheaper than a dozen canning jars).


Amazon has jars and a jar lids & bands combo set

We use these:

https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Storage-Regular-Mouth-Package/dp/B00OAKGLC2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1485010525&sr=8-5&keywords=jar+lids

It's a lot of screw lids - both wide and standard mouth - for $9. But we also store rice, quinoa, lentils, spices, peppercorns, popcorn, dry beans, couscous, etc. in sealed mason jars. They fit the quart, pint and half-pint jars

Jars: Ball Mason "PINT" Jars Wide-Mouth Can or Freeze - 12pk (by Jarden Home Brands) WM 16 Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DIZ1NO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_z09zDbPNYZR9M

Lids: Ball Wide Mouth Plastic Storage Caps, 8-Count per pack (2-Packs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016YNPH04/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_v29zDbWMW8EAC

These are in all the grocery stores where I live, too.

You can get plastic lids to replace those metal ones!

Ball Wide Mouth Plastic Storage Caps, 8-Count per pack (2-Packs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016YNPH04/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_G505CbC8822W9

I use these pour lids when I pour the unfiltered coffee into the filter. Or just don't use a mason jar.