Canning Pepper Jelly

by Nancy
(Atlanta)

When I am canning pepper jelly and process the jars in a water bath the peppers float to the top.

The flavor is great but the jars scream " MISTAKE" to me! Please help!

Nancy from Atlanta

Sharon ----------------------

I have not made pepper jelly so I am at a loss at how to fix this. You might try placing the jars upside down after they have cooled a bit.

Take them out of the canner. Let them cool somewhat (an hour or two), then turn them over. Maybe the peppers would gradually float to the top (er... bottom) of the jar.

This is totally a guess so if someone else has a better idea or knows how to prevent this please comment and let us know.

Comments for
Canning Pepper Jelly

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Canning Pepper Jelly Problem
by: grace

This happened to me,also. Last year and this year. I am still trying to find out how to fix it. So if anyone knows what to do please share the info.

canning pepper jelly
by: Anonymous

I fixed the problem by waiting about 20 minutes after canning, and then shaking the jars. If it has started to jell, the peppers mix throughout.

over processed??
by: sewcndy

My hot/sweet pepper jelly recipe does not call for a hot water bath!

I wash my jars, and sterilize them in the oven (in a metal 13x9 pan) at 300 degrees. I do this for all my canning ( a nice short cut, and alot easier than boiling them-and it keeps them hot until needed). I also pour boiling water over my lids to sterilize them. I just pour the boiling hot liquid into the hot jars, put the covers on, and in a few minutes, the lids pop!

Ive never had a problem with the peppers floating on top. I know that one reason fruits separate...like strawberry jam, its because it is over processed in the water bath. Maybe that is the problem, the jelly gets over processed in the hot water bath?

My jelly keeps for months, ofcourse it all gets eaten very fast and has never been on the shelf for more than a couple months. Good luck!

(Sharon's note: Please note that this method is not recommended any more, see canning methods for more information.)

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