For a long time of storage, preservation in unprepared jars deteriorates, and blanks have to be thrown away. Sterilize empty jars, there will be no germs left in them, and preservation will last a long time. The fastest and most convenient method is oven sterilization. You can use both a gas and an electric oven - the principle of disinfecting glass products is the same.

Preparing jars for sterilization in the oven

Preparation of jars is as follows:

• carefully inspect the glass container. They saw a crack, a chip on the neck or other flaws - set aside the jar, it is not suitable for conservation;
• wash the banks. Fill them with water and leave for a couple of hours. All dried invisible bacteria and microorganisms will get wet, and you can easily wash the container. To wash glass products, use baking soda, it does not leave unpleasant odors and cleans dirt well. Take a new sponge to wash. Wash the container under running water and rinse thoroughly after using soda;
• do not throw away threaded cans. They are good for conservation. But before sterilization, check them for leaks. Pour water into the vessel, close the lid tightly. Raise the jar of water above the table and shake well. The table will stay dry if the tightness is good. Water is dripping from a closed jar or has flowed in a stream - throw it away.

Sterilize empty jars in the oven

After washing, you can not dry the jars on purpose. Do not preheat the oven! Getting to sterilization:

• place clean empty dry jars in a cold oven on a wire rack or baking sheet with the neck down. Place the wet container with the neck up - the water will evaporate quickly. Place several glass items in the oven so that they do not touch each other;
• turn on the oven and gradually warm up to 150 degrees. This temperature regime is enough to disinfect glass containers;
• leave the jars in the oven for the right time. After the time has elapsed, open the oven door slightly, turn it off and let the glass container cool;
• remove sterilized jars. Use a rag, potholders or mittens - the jars are hot, you will get a burn on your hands. Take dry potholders, a glass vessel may burst in your hands from a temperature difference;
• place the finished jars upside down on a clean towel and use as directed.

How long does it take to sterilize jars in the oven?

The processing time depends on the size of the glass container:

• 0.5-0.75 l - 10 minutes;
• liter - 15 minutes;
• two-liter - 20 minutes
• three-liter and more - from 25 to 30 minutes.

We sterilize jars in the oven with conservation

Place the filled jars in a cold or slightly preheated oven. Do not cover with lids. After loading the container, heat the oven to 100 degrees. The procedure for sterilizing filled jars is similar to the above method. The time is usually indicated in the recipe according to which the preservation is prepared.

Never take a hot jar by the neck when taking it out of the oven after sterilization! The container will slip out of your hands or the neck will break off. Take it out carefully with both hands in mittens. Due to the high hardness of our water, a white coating may appear on glass vessels. Don't worry, it doesn't do any harm. Such a plaque appears if the jars are sterilized upside down.

For an accurate reading of the time required for cooking, watch the oven door. It will fog up after turning on, and after a few minutes the glass will become normal. You will see that the last droplets have disappeared from the door - it's time to turn on the timer.

Do not apply preservation in very hot jars. Sterilize metal lids for conservation with jars in the oven, and boil nylon lids on the stove in a saucepan.

If you did everything right, homemade preparations for the winter will retain their useful properties and excellent taste for a long time. And so that the jars that have cooled down after sterilization do not burst during filling with hot contents, place the glass container in a deep metal bowl.