Ok, so I don’t tattle but I do have one canning secret I’d love to share with you. One of the main goals we homesteaders have is to be as self-sufficient as possible. In most cases we use, reuse and repurpose many things. For a large majority of us, that also means we must preserve the food we grow via the canning method.
In order for this process to work we must have ample supplies of jars, rings and lids. Of these items, only two are reusable. This fact, crazily enough, had me pondering the collapse of society as we know it.
A stretch? Maybe, but I wanted to know if there was a reusable product that could take the place of traditional metal lids. You know…just in case there came a day when lids would be valued like gold and nearly impossible to get.
If I’m honest, one HUGE pet peeve of mine is running out of lids when I’m up to my elbows in fresh produce. It has happened more times than I’d like to admit. By having something on hand that I could save and reuse I could avoid the dreaded “no lid” conundrum. It’s not just about surviving societal strife.
After a little research I came across Tattler, PBA Free, reusable lids and seals. After growing up hearing the ‘ping’ of metal lids, this product was a revelation. A bit foreign, but a revelation none the less.
Tattler lids work in the same manner traditional metal lids work, only in 2 parts. Much like their antique canning counterparts, the glass lid and rubber seal used on bale top jars, the results are the same. They create a good seal for hot water bath or pressure canning methods.
The best part? The ability to reuse the lids and seals indefinitely. Or at least until the rubber seal is no longer useable due to cracking or damage.
The useage directions are simple. Boil the lids and seals prior to placing them on the jars. Easy peasy.
When securing the metal bands onto your jars, only finger tightening is required. Process as normal.
Once the process time is complete…and here’s the difference…you hand tighten the bands after removing the hot jars from your canner. When things cool down after 24 hours you can verify the seal. Remove the rings and gently tug the edges of the Tattler lids. If they lift, obviously the seal is no good. I’ve had great success using these lids in my pressure canner. Sadly, there will never be a congratulatory ‘ping’ indicating success.
When all is said and done you will end up with safe, healthy homestead eats. Food that came from your dirt, direct to your plate! Better yet, you will have wasted nothing in the process of putting these delightful jars in your pantry!
Find your Tattler Lids HERE!
7 Comments
I now know that I can remove the rings
I’ve been told that Tattler reusable lids have trace amount of formaldehyde in them. Have you researched this?
Good question Lynn! Just a note, Tattler Lids are BPA Free. Formaldehyde is present in trace amounts, needed to harden plastic, but research proves it is only released at very high temperatures 460 degrees F, well above any temperatures found in home food canning. So in the case of Hot Water Bath canning, I would not worry about this ‘trace amount’. In Pressure Canning, I’d be less apt to use them but as with most things, I’m sure there are far more harmful things you’d be exposed to in your everyday environment.
Love tattlers
Why would you be less likely to use Tattler lids for pressure canning?
I’ve used them pressure canning and they are suitable for it. Perhaps it’s just my hesitancy to want to grab ahold of a super hot jar in order to tighten the ring down. Just use caution.
If the formaldehyde is released around 450 F then the 240 or so degrees for pressure canning won’t release it.