Why do Mason Glass Jars have two lids?

If you're a fan of Mason glass jars, you might already have wondered why they included a two-part lid in the design. As with everything Mason, there was a solid strategy behind this decision. In this post, we'll look at why Mason introduced this type of lid, why they are useful and what you can use them for at home.

Why does Mason have two-part lids?

The Mason brand decided to create two-piece lids to make their jars suitable for canning and preserving. By adding this style of lid, people were able to reuse the same can rings endlessly, without needing to replace the entire jar each time. The only bit of the jar that needs to be changed between uses is the plastisol-lined lid, which is flat and recyclable to protect the environment.

Why does this matter?

Canning used to be extremely popular as a key means of preserving food. Today it's gaining traction and interest once again as a way of preserving home-grown food, enjoying home cooking and organic food and encouraging a more sustainable lifestyle. When you can at home, you need to be able to let air escape during the pressure canning process or during the boiling water stage. A single-piece lid won't allow this essential air escape stage, and the bottom of the jar can blow out - causing a mighty bang and making a mess! The lid can also buckle as pressure builds up. Either way, these situations can be dangerous, and the innovative Mason two-part lid avoids any risks altogether.

What is the split-type canning lid exactly?

The split-type lid refers to the lid itself and the band. These can be placed together or separated, depending on what you are using the Mason jars for. The underneath of the lid has a rubber ring on it for making the essential seal so that canning can be done safely. The outer band is made with reusable screw threads. The lid is used for a single-seal but the band and jar can be used many times.

Are ball Mason glass jars the same as other commercial jars?

The Mason jars are made with wider rims. These give them a better surface for sealing.

Ways to use Mason jars at home

The two-step lid is particularly useful at home when you are fermenting or canning. Here is the process for processing food in Mason jars:

1. Sterilise the jars Put the empty jars in a large pot of hot water and slowly bring them to a boil. Ten minutes will be sufficient to sterilise the jars. Take the pan off the heat and lift the jars with a pair of clean tongs. Drain them and let them dry on a clean, dry surface that has been fully cleaned.

2. Begin preparing your food. Slice and dice your fruits and vegetables and use your favourite recipe to pickle the food in the jars with the right balance of vinegar, brine and other fermentation mixes. Remember to use citric acid to keep your tomatoes red and firm. For food that tends to brown, such as apple slices, add some ascorbic acid. Remember not to fill your Mason jars to the top, so there's room for the contents to swell.

3. Make sure the contents of the food are fully submerged without any air bubbles. Then place the Mason jars into your canning pot. The processing time will vary between recipes, so check yours carefully before removing the Mason jars with your tongs and letting them cool.

You'll know that the seal is complete when you take the Mason jars from the pot and hear a ping! The centre of the jar lid will also become concave to signal that the vacuum is in place. Remove the bands, test the seals, wipe off any residue and then add your labels.

Find the best Mason Glass Jars today

Whether you're looking for Ball Mason jars for caning, pickling, jam-making, presentation purposes, fermenting or more, you'll find a huge range of these and other glass jars at Wares of Knutsford. We're a genuine glass jar and bottle specialist, and we sell a huge range of Ball Marson glass jars and other types of glassware for all needs.

Whether you're looking to kickstart a kitchen project, present your craft room items with panache or even use glassware for informal summer dining (there's nothing better than a stacked ice-cream sundae in a glass jar for example!) Wares of Knutsford has everything you need - with big names, great prices, fast delivery and superb service.

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