Pickling is a process of preserving food by packing it in a vinegar or brine solution, which also contains spices. The acidity and/or salt concentration in the solution prevents microorganisms from growing and turning your vegetables into a smelly mess. Pickling jars are very essential when it comes to pickling, as they allow you to keep your food safe for much longer compared to other methods such as canning or freezing.
The make pickling jarsfrom different materials such as glass, stainless steel, plastic or ceramic. While pickling jars are most commonly used to store vegetables and fruits (read about fruits you better avoid eating in winter), they can also be used for meats that have been pickled in brine or vinegar.
Types of Pickling Jars
Pickling jars come in many sizes and shapes depending on their intended use, but generally speaking most pickling jars are cylindrical with rounded bottoms and flared tops. Many people choose to reuse old mason jars for preserving their own food items because they were once so common that finding one at a thrift store is not difficult.
- Glass jars are the most popular choice for pickling because they are easy to seal, and the glass will not react with the acidity in your pickled vegetables. You can find glass jars at most grocery stores or online.
- Plastic containers make a good alternative to glass jars because they are less expensive and BPA-free, making them suitable for freezing food as well as pickling it. Plus, plastic jars come in a variety of sizes so you can choose how many pickles you want to make at once!
- Ceramic containers are one of the safest options for those who have a healthy lifestyle. They are also dishwasher safe so cleanup is easy!
Glass jars are the best containers for pickling. They allow you to see what is going on and they are easy to clean; however, they do have several drawbacks that plastic jars do not. Glass jars are fragile and can break easily, so when being washed you have to be very careful when putting them in the dishwasher or stored away.
Pyrex & Anchor Hocking Pickling Jars
Using jars for pickling is a great way to reuse glass containers and save the planet. If you are looking for a jar that will last forever, you cannot go wrong with Pyrex or Anchor Hocking jars. Both brands have been around since before most of us were born, and they make products that will last forever.
Pyrex and Anchor Hocking jars are both used by professionals in commercial kitchens all over the world because they are highly durable and resistant to breakage. They will not crack or chip like other jars! However, these two companies are also very different in terms of aesthetics: Pyrex has a classic look while Anchor Hocking comes in fun colors like green and blue.
Regular Pickling Jars
You can use any type of glass for pickling but be careful. While it is possible to store your pickles in any kind of glass jar (and many people do), it is important to remember that you need an airtight seal to keep them fresh and safe. If the lid is not on tight enough, botulism-causing bacteria could develop inside the jar and spoil your delicious project!
Types of Pickling
The fact that fruits and vegetables are extremely beneficial and if you want a healthy diet you should definitely get them around more, even as pickles. The first thing you should know about pickling is that it is not just for cucumbers. Pickling is a way to preserve food by using vinegar, salt, and sometimes sugar or other additives. When done properly, this method will keep your food from spoiling at room temperature for several months if sealed properly. You can pickle almost any vegetable and sometimes even meat; however, the most common ones are cucumbers, onions and peppers. Pickles are usually eaten raw but can also be cooked into dishes such as stews or soups (such as gazpacho).
How to Pickle Any Vegetable?
This is how you pickle almost every vegetable in 8 simple steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to boil
- Put your pickling jars in the boiling water
- Prepare some vegetables
- Prepare the brine
- Remove jars from boiling water
- Fill jars with pickle ingredients
- Add extra spices
- Prep jars for sealing
Fruits are not for the preserving process, but you can also make fruit pickles if you want to! The only drawback with fruits is that they do not tend to get as crunchy as cucumber or other vegetable-based pickles do after being in a jar for several weeks.
Pickling Tips & Hacks
Whether you are a pickling expert or just getting started, there are a few things to consider when choosing the right jar. For example if you are pickling cucumbers it is better to chop them which makes the fermentation time much shorter.
For pickling onions, you will want to have a wide mouth jar on hand. This will allow you to easily get the vegetables into and out of the jar without spilling any liquid and creating a mess. If you are planning on eating your pickled onions within a few days, it is okay to use smaller jar sizes—they will be easier to store in small spaces or refrigerators with limited space.
Now you know all about pickling jars. Some of these jars are for storing food just like plastic jars, but others are specifically for pickling. We hope that this article by Edge of the Globe’s lifestyle was useful enough. If you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comment section. Thank you.
