Did you know that sterilizing jars for home canning is not always needed? You DO need to start with clean jars, so yes…do wash them, either in a dishwasher or by hand with hot, soapy water and a clear water rinse.
Sterilizing canning jars before you fill them for processing is not needed in most instances. Processing any canning recipe for more than 10 minutes sterilizes both the food and the jars so pre-sterilizing is not needed if the processing time is over 10 minutes.
There is an exception with water bath canning. Occasionally, there will be a recipe that has a processing time that is less than 10 minutes. Some jam recipes are one example. In that case, you do need to sterilize the jars first.
As long as processing time is more than 10 minutes, you don’t. Most recipes call for at least 10 minutes of processing time or more. So watch your processing time when making the decision.
Sterilizing jars isn’t necessary for pressure canning either. Everything will be well sterilized by the high heat involved in pressure processing.
This Page Includes:
Jar Cleaning
Before every use, wash empty jars in hot water with detergent and rinse well by hand, or wash in a dishwasher. Unrinsed detergents may cause unnatural flavors and colors, so be sure and rinse well.
I’ve heard people say they “sterilize the jars in the dishwasher.” However, these washing methods do not sterilize jars; they simply clean them very well. A perfect way to prepare your jars for canning.
Scale or hard water films on jars are easily removed by soaking jars several hours in a solution containing 1 cup of vinegar (5 percent acidity) per gallon of water.
Film on jars is also preventable by adding a splash of vinegar directly to the canner’s water as well.
When do you need to sterilize?
Remember All jams, jellies, and pickled products processed less than 10 minutes should be filled into sterile empty jars.
Sterilization of Empty Jars
To sterilize empty jars, put them right-side up on the rack in a boiling-water canner. Fill the canner and jars with hot (not boiling) water to 1 inch above the tops of the jars.
Boil 10 minutes at altitudes of less than 1,000 ft. At higher elevations, boil 1 additional minute for each additional 1,000 feet of elevation. Using a pair of tongs or a jar lifter, remove and drain hot sterilized jars one at a time.
Note: I’ve seen some directions that say to use oven mitts to handle your jars and drain them. I don’t recommend this. It would be difficult to not get the mitts into the boiling hot water. They can soak through quickly and burn you. You are better off with a jar lifter.
Tip: Add Some Time to Make It Easy
I don’t personally use any recipes that call for less than 10 minutes. I am at high altitude and all my preserving recipes has time added, so I always simply start with clean jars instead of sterilizing jars.
If however you do have a recipe that calls for less than 10 minutes processing time it is acceptable to just add time so you reach that 10 minutes. Some jam and jelly recipes call for a short processing. I just add minutes to the processing so I can skip the step of sterilizing the jars first.
How to Sterilize Canning Jars
Go ahead and check your recipe before sterilizing jars. Does it call for less than 10 minutes of processing time? Don’t forget to figure your altitude. If so, you should be sterilizing first.
Of course it could be you’ve been sterilizing your jars for years and are not comfortable skipping this. If you’ve been sterilizing your jars and you are just more comfortable doing so, don’t stop. Sterilization of jars certainly won’t hurt anything. Go ahead and sterilize the jars and have peace of mind.
Always Follow Complete Canning Instructions…
When it comes to home canning jars, keep in mind that your jars DO need to be clean and hot prior to filling them with hot ingredients and placing them in a hot canner. Here are instructions for water bath canning and pressure canning.
Here’s how to sterilize canning jars:
How to Sterilize Canning Jars
Materials
- Canning jars
- Canner or large pot to boil the jars
Instructions
- Place empty jars right-side up on the rack in a boiling water canner.
- Fill the canner and jars with hot (not boiling) water to 1 inch above the tops of the jars.
- Bring to a boil and boil 10 minutes for elevations less than 1,000 feet; for higher elevations, boil 1 minute for each additional 1,000 feet.
- Allow the boil to stop, and then carefully remove hot, sterilized jars one at a time and drain the water into your canner. They will be hot! Do not burn yourself! Use a jar lifter.
- Fill this hot jar according to your product's directions and place the filled jar back into the canner.
- Remove the next jar and repeat.
- Did I say…they will be hot? (Don't want you to miss this point!)
- Continue with your canning recipe. (Be sure to add water to your canner if needed.)
Notes
Sterilizing Jars Tips & FAQs
Sterilizing canning jars in the oven is not recommended. Dry heat is unpredictable and jar manufacturers say that it can cause the jars to weaken or break.
While you may be able to clean canning jars in the dishwasher, it doesn’t actually sterilize them. If you’re using a recipe that requires jars to be sterilized first, they cannot be sterilized using the oven, dishwasher, or microwave. Use the instructions on this page to ensure your jars are safe.
If by sterilizing you mean processing the filled jars (i.e., canning), then no. That is not the same at all and is never recommended. I talk more about some unsafe canning methods on this page. ac
No, the only way to pre-sterilize jars for home canning is to submerge them in boiling water. Of course remember that this is only needed if you have a recipe with less than 10 minutes processing time. The glass jars will be fully sterilized in the processing step of either water bath or pressure canning.
Boil 10 minutes at altitudes of less than 1,000 ft. At higher elevations, boil 1 additional minute for each additional 1,000 feet elevation.
Actually no, you don’t need to sterilize these either. Why are My Canning Jars Not Sealing?
It used to be standard practice to boil canning jar lids before putting them on the jars. However…the rubber seal compound that is used on canning jar lids nowadays is different. It is thinner, and it does not require boiling. It can actually cause problems if you DO boil your lids.
 I’ve got more on this topic on this page… Why Are My Canning Jars Not Sealing?
These new jars will follow the same steps as any other jar. They don’t need to be sterilized before using (Unless your processing is less than 10 minutes) However…. DO wash them. They are not in any sort of a sterile environment even wrapped in the plastic wrap. Dust and debris is likely to be in the jars.
Always start by washing your jars in hot soapy water.
Well for me, the best way is to just sterilize them during the processing time of the food you are canning. But second best would be to use a water bath canner, place cleaned jars right-side up on the rack. Fill each jar with hot water, lower the rack to the bottom of the canner. Add hot water until the jars are fully submerged. Then boil for the correct amount of time for your altitude. When done you can lift the rack. The jars will then be easier to handle and drain.
Preparing Jars for Canning
Video Transcript – Edited for Clarity
Hi there. This is Sharon Peterson with SimplyCanning.com and another Canning Chat. Today’s question is about heating your jars before filling them. This question comes from Cora who asks, “Hi, Sharon. I have yet another question: When you were heating your jars in your pressure canner before canning, how much water do you place in the bottom, and how long do you heat them up? Or do you just place them in boiling water for a specific amount of time? Can this be done in a different pot? I’m sorry, but that was more than one question, huh?”
More than one question is fine. I don’t mind that at all. It was actually one big question. She’s specifically asking about pressure canning, but this works for water bath or pressure canning.
I put the amount of water that I need in my canner and heat it up to just below boiling. It doesn’t have to be boiling, but you want it hot. You can put in the jars when the water is still cold, and then let them warm up.
You’re not really sterilizing your jars. Remember, sterilizing them ahead of time isn’t always necessary. They have to be clean. As long as whatever you’re processing gets processed for more than 10 minutes, sterilization is not necessary. Just warm up the jars. With my pressure canner, I put my three quarts in there. I turn my jars upside down, so they’re mouth down, and I put them in my canner.
Sometimes, they want to float and fall over. It’s a little frustrating, I’ll admit that. But it’s way easier than having another pot. I put my jars in there. When everything is warm and my food is ready to go in the jars, I just take out a jar, put the food into it, and put it back in the canner.
You can do it in a separate pot if you’d like. You’d just have a separate pot on your stove with hot water in it. The intent is to warm the jars. Having one pot works best for me. Warm up the jars in the canner, and you save that extra pot. You have more space for work. You don’t have extra things out on your counter when you’re using a water bath.
Of course, the water bath canner has a rack that sits on the sides, so the jars don’t have to actually be in the water. As long as the steam is getting into them and warming them all up, you can just have the rack on the sides of the canner.
Just feel the jars. If they’re hot, then you know that it’s working. If your water is not hot enough to get the steam into the jars, you could lower the jars down into the water. There’s a lot more water in a water bath than in the pressure canner. Your jars may tend to jostle and fall over. That’s why I like leaving them in the steam to warm.
The whole goal is hot jars, hot food, going into a hot canner.
I hope that was helpful. You guys have a great day, and we will see you in the next Canning Chat video.
Related Pages
Canning jar lids are standardized these days and with good reason! Here’s a guide. Find resources on best practices and safety steps.
Learn how to recycle those used canning jar lids. Recycle canning jar lids (not for canning!) in many other ways with all the great ideas listed in this article. Made into garden markers and magnets, used to keep jars clean, and more!
Creative storage solution for home canning jars can be found here. Storing your home canning jars is not hard and they can be put in many places, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
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Source: https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/general/recomm_jars_lids.html
Page last updated: 10/29/2021
Thank you for sharing your great information. I read your blog daily . It give me so much knowledge and ideas.
I Love to can and I am glad to hear that during covid that more people are learing it
Remember cold jars could crack if what you put in extremely hot liquid.
how about the rings and lids of mason jars?
I assume you are asking if the rings and lids need to be sterilized. No, the rings and lids just need to be clean. I rinse the rings off and put my lids in a bowl of hot water. Meaning hot water out of the tap, not boiling. I’ve read just use them out of the box… but I’d suggest a rinse at least. They will also be sterilized in the canning process.