sterilising jars

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Hux70

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do new jars wrapped in plastic direct from the supplier still need sterilising before use and what is the best way?
 
It's the most boring part of beekeeping. I used to rinse every jar and dry it in the oven. This year I'm using the dishwasher. Either way, there's limited space. Last weekend I needed three cycles of the dishwasher to clean two boxes of jars, and they weren't completely dry when they came out, so I had to put in some time with a clean and lint-free tea towel.
I've had a bumper crop this year, and I'll probably spend a whole day loading and unloading the dishwasher in the next couple of weeks.
 
rinse every jar and dry it in the oven
still need sterilising before use
I use them straight from the box, but it does depend on your supplier. Freeman & Harding are specialists and jars arrive sealed, but one year every loosely-boxed jar I had from a beekeeping supplier needed washing.

Factory packing process will keep jars clean and any washing or warming or wiping a beekeeper does after that gives opportunity for foreign bodies to enter. As for sterility, forget it.

F&H FAQs have a paragraph on sterility and further down is guidance on re-use of jars, but be aware of Murray McGregor's latest advice regarding re-use of jars here at post 27.
 
I use them straight from the box, but it does depend on your supplier. Freeman & Harding are specialists and jars arrive sealed, but one year every loosely-boxed jar I had from a beekeeping supplier needed washing.

Factory packing process will keep jars clean and any washing or warming or wiping a beekeeper does after that gives opportunity for foreign bodies to enter. As for sterility, forget it.

F&H FAQs have a paragraph on sterility and further down is guidance on re-use of jars, but be aware of Murray McGregor's latest advice regarding re-use of jars here at post 27.
Unfortunately F&H only do round jars in their honey jar section, otherwise they would certainly be my supplier.
 
Unfortunately F&H only do round jars in their honey jar section, otherwise they would certainly be my supplier.
I bought hex from them last week, topping up a round jar order to get free delivery. They do hex with a selection of lids available, some a little twee, but they are available.
 
I bought hex from them last week, topping up a round jar order to get free delivery. They do hex with a selection of lids available, some a little twee, but they are available.
Did the boxes come with lids loosely on, as they do for the round ones listed in their hobby beekeeping section?
 
Did the boxes come with lids loosely on, as they do for the round ones listed in their hobby beekeeping section?
No - the lids came separately, in a delivery of their own the day after the jars!
 
No - the lids came separately, in a delivery of their own the day after the jars!
We have different experiences :) The 8 and 12 oz hex jars arrived as sealed slabs in cardboard box with the lids attached when delivered from F&H a few weeks ago. same as the pound ones usually do
 

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We have different experiences :) The 8 and 12 oz hex jars arrived as sealed slabs in cardboard box with the lids attached when delivered from F&H a few weeks ago. same as the pound ones usually do
How bizarre! Perhaps there was a supply delay somewhere along the line in my case?
 
We have different experiences :) The 8 and 12 oz hex jars arrived as sealed slabs in cardboard box with the lids attached when delivered from F&H a few weeks ago. same as the pound ones usually do
Jars with standard gold lids may be classified as beekeeper packs and arrive with lids fitted and shrink-wrapped.

Different colour lids arrive in a bag (usually with the jars).
 
We have different experiences :) The 8 and 12 oz hex jars arrived as sealed slabs in cardboard box with the lids attached when delivered from F&H a few weeks ago. same as the pound ones usually do

I think it's so disappointing that hexagonal jars still come with round lids...

James
 
Jars with standard gold lids may be classified as beekeeper packs and arrive with lids fitted and shrink-wrapped.

Different colour lids arrive in a bag (usually with the jars).
My delivery of round 1lb jars came with the plastic white lids I requested, fitted and the pack sealed in film.
 
My delivery of round 1lb jars came with the plastic white lids I requested, fitted and the pack sealed in film.
Yes, because they're standard stock in the beekeeper section. Reason for pre-fitting lids and shrink wrapping is on the Beekeeper info page.
 
I bought hex from them last week, topping up a round jar order to get free delivery. They do hex with a selection of lids available, some a little twee, but they are available.
I am negotiating with a supplier to purchase a pallet of hex jars with gold lids. They work out at 34p per jar for the small and 50p for the large hex. I|s this a good price? Seems it to me. If anyone want some at that price I can always add them to our order and take it from there.
 
Once or twice I've had this, but usually because the delivery dept. forgot to load them, or the delivery firm sent them elsewhere.
To be fair, the confirmation of order from F&H stated that this could happen. They confirm how many packages have been sent and ask the customer to identify any missing packages by its specific reference number. All in all a really sensible and effective process.
 

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