#Kerr Mason Jars

[misforgotten2]

There are those who can, and then there are those who don't.

1950

[rabbitcruiser]

National Mason Jar Day  

National Mason Jar Day—created by Misty Campbell-Olbert, the founder of Unboxing the Bizarre—celebrates the jar used for canning and countless other purposes, and takes place on the anniversary of the day John Landis Mason patented it in 1858. It seems that the importance of the patent and its date was known early on, as Mason jars were embossed with that information well into the 20th century.

Prior to the invention of the Mason jar, and even after its invention to some extent, glass jars were often sealed with wax—a type of sealant that was many times faulty. The Mason jar was an improvement because of the airtight function of its screw-on-lid. These lids consist of a metal band or ring, which holds down a tin-plated steel disc. A rubber gasket also helps with the sealing process. After jars are filled with food, they are sterilized in boiling water or by steam, and as they cool, a vacuum is created, sealing the jar. The effectiveness of the Mason jar helped to revolutionize home canning.

After 20 years, Mason’s patent expired, and many other companies began producing the jars. The Ball brothers, Hero Fruit Jar Company, and Consolidated Fruit Jar Company all got into the game—but the Ball jar ended up being the most popular brand of the Mason jar with American consumers. Between 1910 and 1915, “bead” jars were introduced. These jars had a “bead” ledge below the lid’s threads, which made the sealing of the jars even tighter and more effective. About this time Ball introduced the Ball Perfect Mason jar, which had the bead design, and became one of the most popular Mason jars of the 20th century. Jarden Home Brands now makes Ball jars, as well as another popular Mason jar brand—Kerr. Still another popular brand of Mason jars is Golden Harvest. In 1875, Charles de Quillfeldt invented a new wire-bail closure for jars, which became known as a lightning closure; thus the jars became known as lightning jars. Henry Putnam improved on Quillfeldt’s design in 1882 with a patent. These represent a whole other way of sealing Mason jars besides the screw-on-lid method. Although there is no longer a Mason jar brand, the name Mason jar is used generically to describe all types of jars that carry a design similar to the original.

The most important use of the Mason jar has been in the canning and preservation of food. Almost every food and vegetable has been pickled, and jams and salsas have been preserved. Mason jars have been particularly useful for this function in areas where there are short growing seasons and the need for food during the winter. There are many other uses for Mason jars. They can be used as vases for flowers or to hold other things, and can be used as drinking glasses. They also have become collector’s items.

Not long after their invention, Mason jars were supplanted by tin cans and plastic containers in commercial packaging, but did continue to be used at home. A further decline in the manufacturing of the jars came to be as interest in home canning tapered off in the decades immediately following World War II—at this time more people were also moving to cities, refrigeration improved, and the transportation of vegetables became easier. But, there was some resurgence of canning in the 1960’s and 1970’s because of the back-to-the-land movement, which was in reaction to the post-war consumerist culture. Today there is once again an increased interest in Mason jars. With the awareness of the economic and environmental costs of the cross country transportation of foods, locally grown foods have become a focus, and canning has been an extension of that. Mason jars have also become more popular for another reason—because some see them as being trendy. They are now found holding fancy cocktails at upscale bars, and have even been used to hold Slurpees at 7-Eleven.

How to Observe

Celebrate the day by using Mason jars! The best way to use them may be to do some canning. Although it may not be peak canning season, you still should be able to find something to can, and there are many canning recipes available online to try. Maybe you can even find a canning recipe in an old family cookbook that dates back to the days when canning was at its peak! Are you looking for something new to collect? Maybe you can use this day to get started on becoming a Mason jar collector. You could also use a Mason jar as a vase, or as a holding implement for pens and pencils. The possibilities for Mason jar ideas are limitless. If nothing else, use a Mason jar as a drinking glass for the day.

Source

[janicefinnerin]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Kerr "Self Sealing" Wide Mouth Mason Jar 7 1/2".

[vaspider]

What are those?👀 And would you teach us? Ok no that's too much maybe, point us in the right direction to resources to learn how to make … Forgot the word of bottling things uuighhhh

Canning is the term you are looking for. :)

In this cabinet we have:

Jams & Jellies

grape jam (grapes from my backyard)

plum jam (neighbor's tree)

fig jam (other neighbor's tree)

lemon jelly

kiwi jam

blackberry jam

low-sugar blackberry jam

strawberry jam

Pickles

pickled beets

dill pickles

Dinners

chicken, veggies & gravy

"pot roast in a jar" (beef & veggies)

chicken curry

french onion soup

chili

Savory

salsa

Singapore chili sauce

basalmic caramelized onion

As far as "can I teach you," there are a lot of good resources online, and I can recommend a few books. I cannot stress enough that canning is not hard, but that you must follow the instructions very carefully. Botulism is no joke.

Do:

Read the entire process several times.

Have everything ready before you start.

Start with water bath canning.

Make sure that you are using the right method of canning (water bath vs. pressure canning) for the food type. Water bath canning is only for acidic foods (ph below 4.6).

Use recipes only from vetted, known sources. This is not a time to use random website recipes. Reputable. Sources. Only.

Use only name-brand jars and lids. Seriously, don't fuck around. Ball/Mason, Kerr. That's it. (I only use Ball jars because that's what my mom and grandmother used.)

Use a very long-handled spoon to stir jam, or wear grill gloves. I have scars from jam splashes. :) We ended up buying a wooden paddle usually used for stirring crab boils or gumbo.

Check your jars every time to make sure the rims are not chipped and the jars are not cracked.

Be careful looking up videos, or just skip looking up anything on YouTube. You may fall into white supremacist YouTube via the prepper route real fucking fast. Also, you may find people who tell you that you can safely use an Instant Pot as a pressure canner or reuse lids or whatever and YOU CANNOT DO THOSE THINGS.

Make sure any vinegar you use is 5% vinegar. Some companies are putting out 4% vinegar and that is not acidic enough.

Use your bubble popper to make sure there are no bubbles hiding along the sides of your jar. Bubbles add to your head space, and can cause spoilage or seal failure.

Get yourself a set of reusable jar lids for after the jars are open and in your fridge. Much less annoying than the 2-piece lids once stuff is open.

Accumulate stuff slowly. You can start out with a stock pot and a hand towel and some jars.

Buy your jars and lids (and as much stuff as you can) at your local hardware store. It's cheaper than Amazon, and also your local store.

Use white or apple cider vinegar when called for by the recipe. Other vinegars may not be acidic enough. (Rice vinegar isn't.)

Use bottled lemon juice when called for by the recipe. Fresh lemon juice may or may not be acidic enough. Bottled will be consistent.

Don't:

Substitute ingredients unless the recipe says you can.

Ever ever ever put dairy or any kind of flour or powdered starch (tapioca starch, etc.) in things you're canning.

Use an Instant Pot for canning. No, it does NOT get up to sufficient pressure. I don't care what that YouTube video says.

Use broth concentrate or bouillon if a recipe calls for broth. (They pretty much always have vegetable starches in them.) Unless you're using homemade broth from a recipe in your canning book, just buy the boxed stuff. Yes, you're mostly paying for water, but seriously, safety.

Try to use your grill gloves or hot pad to pick up jars out of the water. Always use a jar lifter.

Cut corners or try to rush. Take. Your. Time.

Use anything but very fresh vegetables, fruits and meats.

Touch the underside of the jar lid with your fingers after you wash the lids as you prepare them for use. Go wash that lid again.

Reuse jar lids for another batch. They won't seal properly again. I can't say this enough: DO NOT REUSE THE INNER LIDS. You can reuse the rings.

Put jars in a water bath canner directly on the bottom of the pot. If you don't have a rack, put a hand towel on the bottom of the pot.

Leave the rings on your jars after they've cooled. This can cause a 'false seal,' where you can't tell that the jar's seal has failed, and that's a botulism party.

Forget to measure the head space in your jars. Seriously. Do it. Every time. (See the funnel I use, below. Makes it easy. Check it every time.)

Forget to wipe the rim of the jar with a clean damp cloth before putting the lid on. Food particles on the rim can affect your seal. (For foods containing animal fats, dip the cloth in vinegar to make sure you wipe away all of the fat. Water won't do the trick.)

Websites:

USDA Guide to Home Canning

National Center for Home Food Preservation

Basics of Home Canning

How to Can (Ball/Mason)

Canning Foods At Home (has good instructions on how to dispose of food which may have botulism toxin in it)

(Everything from here down is something I own and personally use.)

Books:

The All New Ball Book Of Canning And Preserving - lots of pictures and diagrams. My favorite beginner's guide. Also contains recipes which show you how to incorporate what you've preserved into your meals.

Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving - fewer pictures, lots and lots and lots of recipes.

The Complete Guide to Home Canning: Current Printing | Official U.S. Department of Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 539 (Revised 2015)

Tools:

Progressive Canning Scoop - This thing changed the game for me. Every scoop is a half pint. It hangs on the edge of the pot, so it doesn't need a plate on the stove to sit on.

Progressive Canning Funnel - Ditto this. It has a head-measuring marking set on the 'feet' of the funnel. The funnel has feet! It doesn't make a mess.

Canning Essentials - A good, inexpensive starter set. I use most of this and then my upgraded funnel.

Progressive Reversible Stainless Steel Canning Rack

Presto Pressure Canner - this is an investment, when you're ready to move up to pressure canning.

I also recommend having ph test strips to check the acidity of things you're water bath canning. Better safe than sorry.

So I've been busy.

This isn't even all of it.

[thecrownbaltimore]

Join us for readings, book signing and general merriment in support of E. Kerr's book, trans [re]incarnation, from Mason Jar Press. Featuring local authors S ylvia Jones and R ahne Alexander. The event is located at The Crown, in Baltimore, hosted by Brea Boyd and sponsored by Mason Jar Press! A bout the book: Evoking the pain and exploration of identity expressed by transgender poets such as Torrin A. Greathouse, the poems of trans [re]incarnation aim to [re]write the narrative of the body its speaker finds themselves trapped in. The poems emerge from the “embodied” trauma and lived experiences of transgender poet, E Kerr. The poems use experimental and reimagined traditional received forms. They reflect an experience of betrayal by one’s own god, body, and family, while searching for the promise of what can still be. Book party! trans [re]incarnation by E. Kerr, featuring local writers Rahne Alexander & Sylvia Jones. Hosted by Brea Boyd & Mason Jar Press. Learn more and RSVP on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-party-trans-reincarnation-by-e-kerr-with-special-guests-tickets-599153844277 (at The Crown) https://www.instagram.com/p/CrQx35UOOsq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[crackerberries]

Mason Jars - Feeding the Flock 23

Golden Harvest, Ball, Knox, Kerr and Ideal All come with a cover when boiled should seal Nostalgic green and blue come with a hinge Plain or etched letters; decorated fringe Contemplating lifestyles near and afar My mind slumbers on the old Mason jar So many treasures this antique will hold Pickles and relish, some sweet and some bold Blueberry-fig preserves and marmalade Homemade strawberry jam…

[therusticrayman]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Cow print Mason Jars.

[textless]

[the-lord-of-the-things]

BEHOLD MY JARS YE MIGHTY, AND DESPAIR

[ladyseshiiria]

Copyright 2020 LadySeshiiria

In town we are heavily lacking sewing supplies and other things still... I mean holy crap these look rough and unfinished as I had to leave the edges raw, since there is literally no bias binding in town. Maybe a few here and there on odd colors. You make concessions where you can.

[sigmastolen]

my old favorite cane-soaking jar (st. dalfour peach jam) broke so i have had to switch to a mason jar (kerr, 1 pint) and it makes me feel extremely #whitegirl twee

[rabbitcruiser]

National Mason Jar Day  

National Mason Jar Day—created by Misty Campbell-Olbert, the founder of Unboxing the Bizarre—celebrates the jar used for canning and countless other purposes, and takes place on the anniversary of the day John Landis Mason patented it in 1858. It seems that the importance of the patent and its date was known early on, as Mason jars were embossed with that information well into the 20th century.

Prior to the invention of the Mason jar, and even after its invention to some extent, glass jars were often sealed with wax—a type of sealant that was many times faulty. The Mason jar was an improvement because of the airtight function of its screw-on-lid. These lids consist of a metal band or ring, which holds down a tin-plated steel disc. A rubber gasket also helps with the sealing process. After jars are filled with food, they are sterilized in boiling water or by steam, and as they cool, a vacuum is created, sealing the jar. The effectiveness of the Mason jar helped to revolutionize home canning.

After 20 years, Mason’s patent expired, and many other companies began producing the jars. The Ball brothers, Hero Fruit Jar Company, and Consolidated Fruit Jar Company all got into the game—but the Ball jar ended up being the most popular brand of the Mason jar with American consumers. Between 1910 and 1915, “bead” jars were introduced. These jars had a “bead” ledge below the lid’s threads, which made the sealing of the jars even tighter and more effective. About this time Ball introduced the Ball Perfect Mason jar, which had the bead design, and became one of the most popular Mason jars of the 20th century. Jarden Home Brands now makes Ball jars, as well as another popular Mason jar brand—Kerr. Still another popular brand of Mason jars is Golden Harvest. In 1875, Charles de Quillfeldt invented a new wire-bail closure for jars, which became known as a lightning closure; thus the jars became known as lightning jars. Henry Putnam improved on Quillfeldt’s design in 1882 with a patent. These represent a whole other way of sealing Mason jars besides the screw-on-lid method. Although there is no longer a Mason jar brand, the name Mason jar is used generically to describe all types of jars that carry a design similar to the original.

The most important use of the Mason jar has been in the canning and preservation of food. Almost every food and vegetable has been pickled, and jams and salsas have been preserved. Mason jars have been particularly useful for this function in areas where there are short growing seasons and the need for food during the winter. There are many other uses for Mason jars. They can be used as vases for flowers or to hold other things, and can be used as drinking glasses. They also have become collector’s items.

Not long after their invention, Mason jars were supplanted by tin cans and plastic containers in commercial packaging, but did continue to be used at home. A further decline in the manufacturing of the jars came to be as interest in home canning tapered off in the decades immediately following World War II—at this time more people were also moving to cities, refrigeration improved, and the transportation of vegetables became easier. But, there was some resurgence of canning in the 1960’s and 1970’s because of the back-to-the-land movement, which was in reaction to the post-war consumerist culture. Today there is once again an increased interest in Mason jars. With the awareness of the economic and environmental costs of the cross country transportation of foods, locally grown foods have become a focus, and canning has been an extension of that. Mason jars have also become more popular for another reason—because some see them as being trendy. They are now found holding fancy cocktails at upscale bars, and have even been used to hold Slurpees at 7-Eleven.

How to Observe

Celebrate the day by using Mason jars! The best way to use them may be to do some canning. Although it may not be peak canning season, you still should be able to find something to can, and there are many canning recipes available online to try. Maybe you can even find a canning recipe in an old family cookbook that dates back to the days when canning was at its peak! Are you looking for something new to collect? Maybe you can use this day to get started on becoming a Mason jar collector. You could also use a Mason jar as a vase, or as a holding implement for pens and pencils. The possibilities for Mason jar ideas are limitless. If nothing else, use a Mason jar as a drinking glass for the day.

Source

[janicefinnerin]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Kerr "Self Sealing" Wide Mouth Mason Jar 7 1/2".

[thecrownbaltimore]

Join us for readings, book signing and general merriment in support of E. Kerr's book, trans [re]incarnation, from Mason Jar Press. Featuring local authors Sylvia Jones and Rahne Alexander. The event is located at The Crown, in Baltimore, hosted by Brea Boyd and sponsored by Mason Jar Press! About the book: Evoking the pain and exploration of identity expressed by transgender poets such as Torrin A. Greathouse, the poems of trans [re]incarnation aim to [re]write the narrative of the body its speaker finds themselves trapped in. The poems emerge from the “embodied” trauma and lived experiences of transgender poet, E Kerr. The poems use experimental and reimagined traditional received forms. They reflect an experience of betrayal by one’s own god, body, and family, while searching for the promise of what can still be. Book party! trans [re]incarnation by E. Kerr, featuring local writers Rahne Alexander & Sylvia Jones. Hosted by Brea Boyd & Mason Jar Press. Learn more and RSVP on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-party-trans-reincarnation-by-e-kerr-with-special-guests-tickets-599153844277 (at The Crown) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqlVmoiJ26M/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[therusticrayman]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Cow print Mason Jars.

[vintageandmain]

(via Two Antique Kerr Canning Jars . Vintage Clear Mason Jars . | Etsy)