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5 Reasons Why Your Canning Lids Aren't Sealing

Sep 18, 2017 · 1 Comment

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Running into problems while you're canning? If you're a beginning canner, the most common problem is that your lids won't seal. For some easy troubleshooting, read these 5 Reasons Why Your Canning Lids Aren't Sealing and what to do about it!

5 Reasons Your Canning Lids Won't Seal and what to do about it -ย Running into problems while you're canning? If you're a beginning canner, the most common problem is that your jars won't seal. For some easy troubleshooting, read these 5 Reasons Why Your Canning Lids Aren't Sealing and what to do about it!

5 Reasons Your Canning Lids Won't Seal and What to Do About It

If you are a beginning canner, one of the common frustrations you might experience is when your lids wonโ€™t seal. A proper seal is the best way to ensure proper canning and the only way to keep your canned food fresh. The truth is there are a handful of reasons why jars wonโ€™t seal, but the good news is that many of them are quick fixes. Consider this your canning troubleshooting! Take a look below at 5 reasons your canning lids wonโ€™t seal and what to do about it.

 

5 Reasons Your Canning Lids Won't Seal and What to Do About It

1. The jar rim wasnโ€™t clean.

In order for the lid to get a good seal, the jar rim should be nice and clean. There should be no trace of food, spillage, grease, residue, or anything else that could stand between the lid and a good seal. Even the smallest trace can be an issue, so keep the rims clean. Always wipe rims after you will the jars and see what a difference it makes.

5 Reasons Your Canning Lids Won't Seal and what to do about it -ย Running into problems while you're canning? If you're a beginning canner, the most common problem is that your jars won't seal. For some easy troubleshooting, read these 5 Reasons Why Your Canning Lids Aren't Sealing and what to do about it!

2. Your product isnโ€™t hot enough.

If you donโ€™t pour hot product into the jar, you wonโ€™t get the vacuum effect that is needed to create the seal. Make sure you are pouring in hot ingredients and not letting the mixtures cool before adding them in. Allowing the mixture to cool can affect the vacuum.

 

3. The sealing compound wasnโ€™t softened.

Are you seeing how important heat is? If your lids are cool or cold and the compound is hard, you wonโ€™t get a good seal. Lids require some warmth for the sealing compound to remain soft and pliable. In some cases, after the lids are used so many times the compound may be worn down. In this case, it is just time to replace the lids. Your jars are still fine, you just need new lids and rings for future canning.

5 Reasons Your Canning Lids Won't Seal and what to do about it -ย Running into problems while you're canning? If you're a beginning canner, the most common problem is that your jars won't seal. For some easy troubleshooting, read these 5 Reasons Why Your Canning Lids Aren't Sealing and what to do about it!

4. You didnโ€™t hear the โ€œping.โ€

Any canner will tell you how important the ping is! When your jars are in their bath you will hear a ping sound indicating the seal has secured. If you havenโ€™t heard this noise (the ping sound is made when the lid โ€œpopsโ€ in the center) then your jars need to cook longer. Listen carefully for the ping so you know sealing has happened.

 

5. You didnโ€™t watch the timer.

Most recipes come with specific instructions on how long the product should be in the water bath for. It is so important to follow these directions and invest in a minute timer so you are precise with your recipe. Not noting the recipe time and not following it accordingly can cause all sorts of errors such as jars failing to seal.

 

Did this help you seal your jars? What is your biggest canning problem? Tell me in the comments!

 

Did you like theseย 5 Reasons Why Your Canning Lids Aren't Sealing? Find more on my In the Kitchen and Frugal Living boards on Pinterest!

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  1. janis L jordan says

    December 28, 2021 at 9:53 am

    I have been canning for years and I had five of ten jars of jelly not seal. I was in shock. What do I do about this mess.

    Reply

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