Previously, the housewives did not have a wide variety of lids for canning. On store shelves, one could find only simple tin cans, and they had to buy new ones every year. The industry is developing, and now you can find completely different lids for canning. Reusable at the same time significantly save money, and are convenient to use.
Varieties of caps
Tin lids - a classic and familiar to many option. They have been used for canning for many years, and they still do not lose relevance due to their low cost and relative convenience. To use them, you need to acquire a seaming key. They must be sterilized before use in order to kill possible pathogenic bacteria.
Tin lids are used only once. For reusable use, they are not suitable.
Threaded covers
"Twist-off" - reusable lids for canning of stainless steel, having a thread around the perimeter. In this case, there is no need to use a seaming key. This is undoubtedly their advantage.
They are also sterilized before use. At the same time, the lids expand and, after cooling, tightly fit the neck of the can. A sign of quality seaming is cotton during opening. The product is reusable and allows you to conveniently store preservation in the refrigerator after opening.
You can use them for any purpose. The main advantage of Twist-off is versatility. Despite the fact that they are somewhat more expensive than ordinary tin, the price is still affordable for many.
For storage of pickles in the cellar and jam filling, reusable plastic lids are used for canning. They must be thoroughly washed, heated by steam or in hot water, and then put on a jar.
Technological invention
Vacuum - innovative caps. They are reusable and allow you to quickly roll pickles. Manufacturers guarantee a long period of use. Therefore, such a device is rapidly gaining popularity. Now you do not need to purchase covers for each season. It is enough to buy the necessary kit once and you can use it for a long time.
Reusable vacuum caps for canning have a special valve to which the pump is connected, and air is completely removed from the can. Under such conditions, bacteria do not multiply. Therefore, the sunset remains fresh. But the vacuum caps are too expensive, which is their significant drawback.
Rules for choosing caps
In order for the pickles and jam to remain tasty and the contents of the cans to be stored for a long time, it is necessary to correctly select the lids for canning. Reusable vacuum products are suitable for any purpose. But it is better to use them for rolling capricious cucumbers and tomatoes.
If financial opportunities are not so great, then for the storage of perishable products it is better to choose the classic tin option. The main thing is that they have more than two stiffeners, otherwise there is a possibility that the cover will let air through.
For long-term storage, it is necessary to choose tin lids that have a silver tint on the inside. This is a special coating that prevents the material from oxidizing and has great resistance to aggressive environments. Such reusable lids for canning is a kind of vintage.
Some dodgy housewives manage to reuse tin products. There are even adaptations of craftsmen for their careful opening and alignment. But this is not recommended. In any case, the product loses its properties, and the products may deteriorate.
A rubber ring is used as a seal in tin lids. It should fit snugly and not show signs of cracking. If you use it repeatedly, the chances of passing air increase.
If a conventional tin cover is used, it is important to check the o-ring. You can remove it and try to stretch it. A high-quality sealant is easily amenable to such a procedure. Otherwise, it is better to throw out the cover.
If you need to store jam or preserves, you can use plastic covers or the Twist model. The latter are more convenient, but threaded cans are required for their use.
Use of covers
Not only the method of their application, but also sterilization methods depends on the choice of covers.
Reusable canning lid (stainless steel) requires sterilization in accordance with all the rules. The prepared jar of food must be covered and lowered into the water at the very neck. In the process, you need to make sure that the liquid does not enter the tank.
Plastic caps are not sterilized, but are kept in hot water for 15 seconds before use. So they are easier to put on a jar, and after cooling have a slightly concave base.
The lid is serious
The choice of covers should be approached responsibly. Otherwise, there is a risk of microorganisms entering the roll. Their presence inside the pickles leads to the most disastrous consequences. Bacteria not only spoil the taste of the product and make them unsuitable for storage, but also cause a formidable disease with accidental use - botulism.
Therefore, a competent choice of caps, their proper sterilization and clogging of pickles will help to keep the crop all winter. In addition, banks will not explode, but most importantly - the health of households will be out of danger.
Advantages and disadvantages of caps
Those who wish to save money and have a sealed key can purchase ordinary tin covers. Their price allows you to buy products every season. However, samples with a lacquered inner coating should be selected. Neglecting this rule can lead to an unpleasant metallic taste of rolled products. You should also pay attention to the production time of the covers. Their storage is possible only for three years. The vulnerability is a rubber seal, which withers over time.
If there is no seaming key, but there are cans with threads, Twist-off caps will do. Their use is universal, the main thing is to correctly sterilize pickles. A big advantage is the ease of use. Only the need to select the appropriate cans can be recognized as a minus.
Those who keep up with the times and prefer technological innovations choose the vacuum option. This is an excellent solution for preserving the fresh taste of seaming and simplifying the process of their preparation.
Despite the fact that the product has a rather high cost, you can save with it. Manufacturers guarantee that their products withstand use up to 200 times. This is enough to spend a certain amount on them.
Conclusion
Preservation is a rather complicated technological process. An important role is played by the correct choice of the cover and its blockage. Often the process is overshadowed by the fact that banks explode. The reasons for this phenomenon are improperly selected covers and non-compliance with all norms and rules of conservation.
Many housewives try to choose vacuum covers for canning. Reusable and convenient products can minimize the risk of explosion and are very comfortable to use. However, the stainless steel version does not lose popularity. The main thing is to use only new and high-quality caps and choose a convenient key.
What is worth buying lids for canning? Reusable or disposable - choose the hostess. The main thing is that the rolling process was organized in accordance with all the rules, and then long winter evenings will be more pleasant with aromatic jam, pickles and homemade caviar.