How to Reuse Gallon Jars for Canning

Reusing old glass jars for canning will save money on materials. You can reuse glass jars for canning if they're properly sterilized. Caution should be used when canning in large gallon-sized jars. While you might have more jars to fill, the National Center for Home Food Preservation does not recommend this process for anything other than very acidic fruit juices such as apple or grape juice.

Skill level:

Easy

Instructions

Things you need

• Glass gallon jars
• Soapy water
• 3 gallon stock pot (or larger)
• Water
• Towel
• Jar tongs

1. 1
   Thoroughly wash the gallon jars with hot soapy water and rinse off the soap.
2. 2
   Place a jar into the stock pot and add water to completely cover the jar.
3. 3
   Remove the jar and place the stock pot over high heat to bring the water to a boil.
4. 4
   Add a gallon jar to the fulling boiling water and boil for 10 minutes to sterilize the jar.
5. 5
   Gently remove the jar with the tongs and transfer it to dry upside down on a towel.
6. 6
   Repeat boiling the remaining gallon jars until all have been sterilized.
7. 7
   Use the jars for canning acidic fruit juices only, such as grape or apple.