Reusing food jars?

[danro]

Hi Everyone.

This year is the first year I expect to have sufficient honey to jar up.

What is the opinion of reusing food jars - that I have loads of... over buying new jars that seem to be expensive..

The best price I've found seems to be approx 31p a jar incl delivery.

Is reuse a "No No" or do some of you recycle?

Is there a better (read cheaper) place to buy jars other than "thornes" or "C. Wynne Jones, Bottles, Jars, Bee Keeping Equipment"?

Cheers

Danny

 

[aberreef]

Provided the jars are washed and sterilised properly I don'y see any problem with reusing old jars. The caps won't look as nice and you need to check that they seal properly.

 

[peteinwilts]

My sister (who does not keep bees), makes all sorts of jellys and pickles.

she buys jars of cheap and nasty stuff from supermarkets and just buys lids. The price that she is paying, she saves about 10p a jar than buying new jars.

 

[oliver90owner]

I would never re-use the lids.

RAB

 

[Steve Dyer]

Maybe I'm just impatient, but I find it's a nightmare marrying up the right lids with the right jars, and if you buy new lids they don't fit half the supermarket jars. I have ended up keeping large supermarket jars for 'cooking honey' and friends and family, and using new jars for standard production. I don't remember what I last paid but 31p seems a bit much - I had 25p in mind - but from where I don't know

 

[nelletap]

I ended up getting almost 180 jars with lids (new) for about £40.00. A gross (144) of 1lb jars and 36 smaller hexagonal jars. There was not a huge difference in price between the two types but I seem to remember the gross of 1lb jars was £32.00 making the cost about 23p per jar with lid. They are from the supplier many mention as being the best COM*** One of the BKA members co-ordinates orders and then they are delivered as one large load to this member and we then collect over the next few days which probably brings the cost down as much as possible. Buying collectively seems such a good idea.
Tricia

 

[whizzwheels]

I reused jars for family and friends that I give away honey to, but check that there isn't a lingering smell from whatever was in the jar before, i.e. vinegar, cooking sauces, etc.
For honey I intend to sell I get new jars, one of my customers has started returning the jars which I intend to reuse but with new lids.
I paid 25p a jar including lids for a box of 84 but I collected them myself to pay for postage as I wait until I'm in the area.
You also have to factor in the cost of the label(s) on the jars as this could add another 10p to the cost.

 

[danro]

Hmmmmm Old jars... new lids... that sounds promising..
Investigating now.... Thank you!

 

[Rosti]

If I was selling I would never re-use jars / Lids. If for personal use or 'close-family' gifting and on a budget then you may be ttracted to re-use of well washed jars and lids. If you are consider the addition of 'catering thickness' cling film as a liner between jar and lid.

Remember that the Food Safety Act applies to all food presented for consumption, irrespective of whether you are selling / gifting. Your responsibility extends to all food contact surfaces with regard food safety not simply the food contained therein.

 

[Ellem]

AFAIK the recommendation is to replace the lids (which apparently have problems with proper sterilisation). Re-using the glass is acceptable as it can be thoroughly steralised.

 

[MrB]

I would never re-use the lids.

RAB