November 2024

Reuse grocery store jars for canning

mason jar for canning

The main difference between "mason jars" and any other jar from the supermarket is the standardized lid size. Mason jars are made by a number of manufactures but all of them use the exact same lids. These lids come in two sizes regular (outer glass diameter = 2 3/4 inch [70mm] without the thread) and 3 3/8 inch [86mm] for wide mouth. You can find lids made of different materials and for different purposes but most importantly you can replace a rusty or worn out lid. This way you can keep using the jar multiple times.

different kinds of lids for regular mason jars

Some companies have understood that it is advantage for the customer to buy their products in jars that are compatible with this mason jar lid standard. I found some peanut butter brands or mayonnaise in jars that have compatible lids. There is also "magic baking powder" which is available in a number of countries. They all have the correct diameter and the correct thread. You can re-use those lid or jars.

This lid from this peanut butter jar fits onto the bernardin mason jar

This lid from this peanut butter jar fits onto a bernardin or ball mason jar. Plastic lids are useful for applications such as Kefir making. Kefir corrodes regular tin plated lids over time.

The Magic Baking Powder lids fit also on regular mason jars. They are not perfectly sealing because there is no rubber seal but that's ideal for applications such as kefir making. It's also a good lid to use once you have opened your fermented cabbage. It's easier to use than the flat lid and band (ring) design. It does not matter that it has no proper seal once the fermented cabbage is opened and in the fridge.

Many brands are country or region specific and I am not sure if you would find the above peanut butter outside of Canada but the "Classico" tomato sauce is widely available at an international level. It says "atlas mason" on their jars to remind customers that those could be re-used as mason jars however they have also a slightly smaller jar with a different lid and it's not compatible:

left: classico tomato sauce in propriatary jar, right: mason jar with correct lid, both have "atlas mason" engraved into the jar

left: classico tomato sauce in propriatary jar, right: mason jar with correct lid, this is a 24 oz jar = 709ml if filled to the top

If you google re-using classico jars then you might find highly promoted web sites claiming that they are not as durable because the glass is thinner. This is a false claim. The walls are actually stronger and heavier than Ball mason jars. I believe that some mason jar companies have paid journalists to spread uncertainty and fear. The real "atlas mason" jar from classico with the right lid is a perfectly usable canning jar. You can use it for water bath canning, pressure canning and fermentation. Standard two component lids with with the flat sheet part and the ring (band) around will fit and seal properly.

I have been using and re-using supermarket jars with mason jar compatible lids for over a decade with no problem. There is no need to throw them out after you have eaten the product that was in the jar. The quality is excellent and you don't need to buy extra jars when the products you buy anyhow come already in jars that can be used. Yes, I have been switching brands when I noticed that the same product from another brand had a mason jar compatible lid.

It's a bit unfortunate that there is no symbol or indication to tell you that this a jar with the right kind of lid because it's not easy to see. I have also not been able to find a single grocery store jar that is compatible with the "wide mouth" mason jar standard.

Removing the labels from grocery store jars

There are only two types of glue used to attach labels:

water based glue: you just submerge the jar in water for 15-30min until the paper is soaking wet and the label comes off easily. The labels on the classico tomato sauce are of this kind. I put the jar into a deep bowl filled with water, I wait for a while and the label peels off easily. It comes off in one piece.
stickers: this is the same glue you find on scotch tape. The labels are just paper coated with this kind of glue on the back. The glue is a thermoplast. In other words it becomes soft when heated. To peel off the label without ripping it you boil water and fill the jar with hot water. Make sure that the labels don't get wet as this weakens the paper. The hot water in the jar will warm up the glass and that warms up the glue. Now you can just grab an edge of the label and peel it off. The glue is so soft and the paper will usually come off without ripping. Some glue residues will remain on the jar. To get the remaining glue off you put some cooking oil onto a cloth. Rub a liberal amount of oil onto the glue and wait. The oil will dissolve the glue a bit and you can try to wipe it off after a while. A remaining very thin layer of glue can be removed with dish wash soap. Put concentrated dish wash soap onto a cloth and wipe the remaining oil and glue layer off.

spicy cabbage in classico tomato sauce mason jar (atlas mason jar), this is basically sauerkraut with chilli peppers