what products package in canning jars?

[Cullens_Girl]

I've been canning this year - a lot. I've put out the word I'm looking for canning jars, but was wondering what products you have purchased in the store use jars that can be recycled for canning? A friend of mine loaned me a bunch of canning jars for this season and many were some she had collected just from peeling labels and checking the jars before recycling... I know some spaghetti sauces and salsas use them, but she doesn't remember offhand which brands they were and now she cans all that herself.

I still buy pasta sauce and salsa, so I figure why not get the brands I can reuse the jars from?

[cristeen]

For pasta sauce, its the brand in the squareish jar. They have tomato and alfredo styles. I often find bbq sauce in reusable jars, usually the smaller 'micro' brands. Particularly if you're shopping at WF or an independent grocery. Finding anything in reusable jars is much less likely in the chain grocery stores around here, but the independents have a decent selection.

With time, you'll be able to tell at a glance which jars are reusable. I've only been wrong once, and that was a jar that had the right size mouth, but the wrong screw threads. If it helps, you can always stick a screw band in your purse to compare. I know if im unsure about choosing between 2 brands, i'll buy the one in the canning jar.

[Cullens_Girl]

Thanks for the tip. I actually did figure out the sauce - it was classico - and I was stoked because I had a use for the sauce (was freezer cooking for friend who had a baby) and then I got to save the jars. The bonus was the screw caps are perfect for my small mouth pint jars that I did all my jam in this week.

[cristeen]

There are only 2 lid sizes, reg and wide. You pretty much have to buy wide new. I've seen a few things in wide, but its rare.

Just double-checking that you know to use a brand new lid every time you can... The rings are reusable but the lids are not.

[Cullens_Girl]

Originally Posted by cristeen

There are only 2 lid sizes, reg and wide. You pretty much have to buy wide new. I've seen a few things in wide, but its rare.

Just double-checking that you know to use a brand new lid every time you can... The rings are reusable but the lids are not.

yes, I understand this. Always good to double check though. I throw the lids out as soon as the jar is empty so I don't get them mixed up. What I meant was that the small mouth screw lids from the spaghetti sauce were good to use when I opened the pint jars instead of using the lid/ring again. Some of my jam came out runny so its going to help if there is an accidental tip in my refrigerator. LOL