How to properly and quickly sterilize jars using vinegar at home

Sterilizing jars with vinegar is a popular way to prepare glass containers for preservation. The technique does not require any special financial costs and is easy to carry out. There are a number of other techniques that are no less effective. You should first familiarize yourself with all the nuances of the processes.

Is it possible to sterilize jars with vinegar?

Sterilizing jars with acetic acid is quite economical and practical; the substance helps to completely disinfect the containers from bacteria before preservation. It is necessary to use a 70% solution. It completely destroys pathogenic microorganisms, even tuberculosis bacilli. To achieve results, it is important to strictly adhere to the proportions and algorithm of actions.

Preparing containers before disinfection

It is better to buy glass containers that are transparent, without cracks or chips, especially at the neck. The lids are also checked for flaws; only new ones are taken, since old ones can harbor bacteria. Pre-rinse the jars with boiled water and soda and leave to dry. You can use mustard powder or detergent. After using chemicals, rinse the containers with water and vinegar or lemon juice.

You only need to take a new sponge for washing.

How to sterilize jars with vinegar essence

To quickly sterilize jars before canning at home, you must follow the steps below.

1. Pour cold, boiled water into clean jars up to the hangers, add 6 tbsp. 70% acetic acid.
2. Close the containers with a plastic lid and shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
3. Open the jars, pour the solution into other containers, repeat the manipulation with shaking.
4. By pouring water with acetic acid from one container to another, the required number of cans is prepared.
5. Sterilized containers are left to dry upside down.

The remaining vinegar liquid can be covered with a plastic lid and stored in the refrigerator. It is advisable to use glass jars with a capacity of 0.5 to 3 liters.They are easy to clean, inexpensive, and due to their transparency, the product is clearly visible.

If you use only washed containers that are not sterilized, the lid will swell and the preparations for the winter will deteriorate.

Disinfection of glass containers in a pan of water

The classic method of disinfecting a preservation container involves using a pan of boiling water. It is advisable to take a vessel with a large diameter so that the maximum number of containers can fit in it. Line the bottom with a towel and pour cool water. It is important that it completely covers the jars. The washed specimens are placed on the bottom of the pan, upside down, immersing them in water to the top. You should not place the containers too tightly together, because when the water boils, they may burst. After bubbles appear, wait 15 minutes and remove 1 jar at a time with a mitt.

Iron the towel on which the containers will be placed in advance with a hot iron on both sides.

Preparing containers for canning in an electric oven

To disinfect jars in an electric oven, perform the following steps.

1. Glass dishes with lids are placed in a cold oven on a wire rack upside down. You can also place it down, but then an unaesthetic whitish coating remains at the bottom.
2. Place metal lids nearby.
3. Set the mode to “convection” with blowing, or “top - bottom heat”, turn the temperature to 150 degrees.
4. Close the oven door and sterilize the jars.

Keep glass products with a volume of 2-3 liters in the oven for 20 minutes, liters - 15 minutes, 0.5 liters - 10 minutes. After manipulation, they are taken out and placed on a clean, dry towel.You should use non-wet gloves or a potholder, otherwise the containers will burst.

Disinfection of containers for canning in the oven of a gas stove

The process of disinfecting glassware for preservation in a gas oven is slightly different from the case with an electric oven.

1. Glass products are placed in chilled water. Containers cannot be placed tightly, otherwise they will burst.
2. The gas oven is first heated by setting the temperature to 50 degrees, and after 5 minutes, raise it to 180 degrees.
3. The duration of the disinfection process is the same as when disinfecting with an electric oven, depending on the volume of the container.

After turning off the oven, open the door and allow the containers to cool.

Processing canning jars in the microwave

Jars are widely sterilized in the microwave; the method is quite effective, but the device does not fit a lot of containers. The procedure is carried out as follows.

1. The jars are washed with soda, and 1-2 cm of water is poured into each container. If we are talking about a 3-liter container, you will need a glass of water.
2. Place the containers in the microwave, leaving a little space. Vessels with a capacity of 2-3 liters are placed on a barrel.
3. If the oven has a power of 700-800 volts, containers are sterilized for 3 minutes, and 3 liter containers for 5-6 minutes. After the water boils in the containers, wait 5 minutes.
4. Remove the jars from the microwave with dry gloves, pour out the remaining liquid from them, and place them on a dry towel to dry.
5. It is advisable to fill hot containers with canning immediately.

Metal lids cannot be disinfected in a microwave oven; it may be damaged.

Disinfection of lids

Housewives often carefully sterilize jars and simply pour boiling water over the lids.This method is not correct, since the preservation can deteriorate. The lids are pre-washed and heat treated. They cannot be disinfected in a microwave oven.

1. Metal lids. It is enough to boil them for 5 minutes, or place them together with glass containers in a double boiler. The oven is not good unless you remove the rubber gaskets, otherwise they will melt.
2. Covers made of nylon. Place them in a small saucepan and pour boiling water over them. Take it out after the water has cooled, when you can put your hands in it.
3. Glass. Lids made of glass are disinfected together with jars, gaskets are boiled separately.

The above methods will help preserve the product for a period of about 12 months, provided it is properly stored in a basement or cellar.

Re-pasteurization

Sometimes it is necessary to disinfect jars already filled with preserves. Liquid preparations are sterilized for 10-15 minutes, thick ones - 2 hours or more. Products with acidity require less time for pasteurization, depending on volume. The larger the container, the longer it takes to process it. It is advisable to record the boiling time on paper.

Pasteurization in a saucepan with water:

• the liquid is poured until it reaches the shoulders of the glass containers;
• cans of preserved food are loosely closed with disinfected lids;
• when bubbles appear, wait 30 minutes in the case of 3-liter containers, 2-liter containers - 20 minutes, liter containers and those with a smaller capacity - 10 minutes;
• take out the dishes, screw the lids tightly;
• turn upside down, cover with a towel on top.

Pasteurization of cans with preservation in the oven:

• preheat the oven to 50 degrees, put the preserves there, set the temperature to 150 degrees;
• Pasteurize containers for as long as required, depending on their volume.

Several methods for pasteurization can be used, alternating them with each other. Upon completion of the process, immediately seal the jars with a key, checking the quality of the seal.

Reviews about sterilizing jars with vinegar

Below are reviews about the treatment of containers with acetic acid, which will help you make your choice.

Alina Ivanova, 34 years old, Lviv

Hello! I sterilized jars with acetic acid and made preserves from cucumbers and tomatoes. We ate them all year round, the product did not spoil. The lids were treated in boiling water and did not swell.

Roman Ignatov, 39 years old, Kazan

Hi all! I made preparations for the winter, jam, beetroot. I sterilized the jars with vinegar and was completely satisfied with the result. The uneaten food lay in the pantry until the next fall without spoiling.

Victoria Lyubimova, 57 years old, Sergiev Posad

Greetings to all! I have been sterilizing jars with vinegar for years now and the products last a long time. I take metal lids and disinfect them in a slow cooker.