Ball Lids Not Sealing

The lid wasn t centered.

Ball lids not sealing. After opening new boxes and comparing. If you have just one or two jars that didn t seal and you don t want to go with the refrigeration plan there s another way. Canning jar lids have a sealing compound around the bottom edge that s designed to make contact with the jar s rim. Simply wash lids in hot soapy water dry and set aside until needed.

It s best to use official canning jars and or lids. If you missed this step just clean the lip before you reprocess the jar. If the entire batch has failed to seal the best method is to open the jars reheat the jam prep the jars use new lids and reprocess. After many years of research it was determined that preheating ball and kerr lids is no longer necessary.

Bands not screwed down tightly. Mayonnaise jars and other jars from the supermarket might not have the right specs to fit the proper lids. Make sure they are not bent and more importantly check the rubber sealing compound. Worse they might not stand up to the pressure canning process breaking in the process and wasting the contents.

Instructions on lid cap and jar packaging is changed. Using ball brand supplies in all cases. Screw rings also called bands are rusty or bent causing poor contact. Use caution if you are buying lids second hand.

Jars or jar lids that are not manufactured for canning may fail to seal. I recall from prior years that using the gold colored lids after processing when they cooled and sealed the snap was noticeable even if i was in another room of the house as long as there wasn t much ambient noise i could hear it and even count to myself as each jar set. After you fill your jars it s important to wipe the lip clean so it ll form a tight seal with the lid. Ball had said the causes for lid seal failures were 1 using untested recipes 2 not following recommended processing methods 3 adjusting the screw bands after processing and 4 not leaving correct headspace.

The sealing compound used for our home canning lids performs equally well at room temperature as it does preheated in simmering water 180 degrees fahrenheit. The flats are not reusable. Even if the seals you purchase are new in the box you need to inspect them.