When I was a little girl, I used to watch in awe as my Nana Maggie canned and preserved all kinds of delicious foods. From her homemade jams and jellies to her pickled vegetables, she always seemed to know exactly what she was doing. But as I got older and started to help her with the process, I realized there was so much more to it than just filling up jars with tasty treats. One of the things my Nana taught me about was how to choose and use the right canning lids. It may seem like a small detail, but it’s a crucial one when it comes to keeping your food safe and preserving it for the long term.
What is the Purpose of Canning Lids
When it comes to canning foods, Nana always tells me that using the right equipment is essential to ensure the food we preserve stays safe and fresh. And one of the key components of successful canning is the canning lids.
Typically, the purpose of canning lids is to create a tight and secure seal on the jars during the canning process. This seal prevents harmful bacteria and other microorganisms from entering the jar and spoiling your delicious canned goods.
A lid is made up of a metal top and a rubber gasket or seal that creates the seal when heated and cooled. By securely sealing the jar, the contents can be safely processed in either a boiling water bath or pressure canner, ultimately ensuring that your canned foods remain safe and preserved for a long time.
Different Types of Canning Lids
You can find different sizes, shapes, and styles of canning lids that you can use for canning. Nana taught me that knowing the types is important as it will help me choose the ideal lids for my canning projects.
Let me share with you some of the common types of canning lids that my Nana usually uses. I’ll also include some of the best ways to use them, so you can successfully can your foods.
Two-piece Canning Lids
My Nana is an expert in canning, and she knows all about the different types of lids available. She typically uses two-piece lids composed of a flat metal lid with a rubber gasket and a screw band that holds it tightly in place. These lids create an airtight seal, preserving food for longer periods. These are suitable for high-acid foods such as fruits, pickles, and tomato-based products that can be safely processed in a boiling water bath canner.
One-piece Lids or Snap Lids
Moreover, my Nana also uses one-piece lids, which consist of just a single piece made out of either plastic or metal. This type of lid is easier to utilize than the two-piece since there’s no need to fiddle with multiple components. But she only uses these lids when preserving for short terms, such as food that will be stored in the fridges.
You can use them for freezer jams, pickles, and other preserves that will be kept in the fridge or freezer. But you shouldn’t use them in traditional canning because they might not make a good seal that lasts.
Reusable Lids
Reusable canning lids are an eco-friendly solution for traditional counterparts, made from a three-part combination; the plastic disc, gasket or rubber ring, and the metal band. With their tight seal provided by the plastic disk and gasket, plus a metal band to keep things in place during canning.
One great benefit of these lids is that they can be reused, making them a sustainable option. But, important to know that you should clean and inspect the lids before each use to ensure that they are still in good condition and can provide a secure seal.
How to Choose the Right Canning Lids
Choosing the right lids for canning is usually overlooked by first-time canners since it’s a small part of the process. But it’s as important as using the perfect canning jars. So, here are some of the things to consider when choosing the right canning lids.
Canning Technique
What is the technique that you’ll be using? This is the first thing that you should ask when selecting lids for your jars. Different types of canning necessitate the use of different kinds of lids. If you are boiling water bath canning, you will need to ensure that the lids you choose are specially designed for this method. Usually, my Nana uses Hi-Heat 2 pieces for a longer process.
On the other hand, if you are engaging in pressure canning, then it is essential that your lids can withstand considerably higher temperatures and pressures. Nana recommends using the two-piece canning lids made of metal for this type of canning.
Jar Size
It’s also important to ensure the canning lids you choose to fit the jars you will use. You can find that most canning jars come in standard sizes, but it’s always best to double-check before purchasing lids. Nothing is more frustrating than starting the canning process and finding out that your lids are too big or too little. So, it’s worth the extra time to inspect if the jars you’re using have matching lids.
Lid Materials
Lids for canning projects are typically made of either metal or plastic. Metal lids are the most popular choice, as they are suitable for a variety of canning projects. Plastic lids, on the other hand, tend to be more suitable for freezer canning and for storing jars in the refrigerator due to their ability to retain cold temperatures better than metal lids.
Storage
It is also essential to store canning lids correctly after they have been opened from the package. These lids should be kept in a cool and dry environment until they are ready to be used. Additionally, my Nana always reminds me not to stack the lids one on top of the other as this may lead to damage to their seals.
How Tight Should the Canning Lids Be?
I usually feel anxious about screwing metal bands onto jars with the right amount of tension when I am canning for the first time. I’m not sure how tight they should lids be. But Nana said that the key is to ensure that the lid is secured enough to create an airtight seal but not so tight that it affects the sealing process.
Whether you are using two-piece lids or three-piece lids, the recommended level of tension is typically described as “fingertip tight.” This means that you should tighten the lid until it is snug but not too tight that you can’t loosen it with just your fingertips.
