Hello, I'm a food preservation expert with extensive experience in canning and preserving food safely. When it comes to sterilizing jars and lids for canning, it's crucial to ensure that they are properly cleaned and sterilized to prevent any contamination that could lead to spoilage or foodborne illness. Here's a detailed process you can follow:


1. Prepare the Jars: Start by washing the jars, lids, and bands in hot, soapy water. This will remove any dirt or residue.


2. Boiling Water Bath: Place the jars in a large pot and cover them with water, leaving about 1 to 2 inches of space between the top of the jar and the water level. The bands can be sterilized separately.


3. Sterilize the Jars: Bring the water to a rolling boil and let the jars boil for at least 10 minutes. This will sterilize the jars by killing any bacteria or microorganisms that may be present.


4. Prepare the Lids: While the jars are boiling, you can prepare the lids by boiling them in a separate small saucepan for about 5 minutes. This will soften the rubber sealing compound on the lids, ensuring a good seal when the jars are closed.


5. Remove and Fill: Using a jar lifter, carefully remove the jars from the boiling water and fill them with your prepared food, leaving the recommended headspace.


6. Remove Air Bubbles: Use a non-metallic spatula or bubble remover to remove any air bubbles from the jars, which can get trapped during the filling process.

7.
Seal the Jars: Wipe the rim of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to ensure a clean seal. Place the sterilized lids on the jars and screw on the bands until they are fingertip tight.

8. **Process in a Water Bath or Pressure Canner**: Depending on the type of food you're canning, you may need to process the filled jars in a boiling water bath or pressure canner to ensure that the food is safely preserved.

9.
Cool and Store: Once the processing time is complete, remove the jars and let them cool undisturbed. Check the seals, and if they are good, store the jars in a cool, dark place.

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PreparationWash jars in hot suds and rinse in scalding water. Put jars in a water-bath canner or on a rack set in a deep pot and cover with hot water.Bring water to a boil and boil jars, covered, 15 minutes from time steam emerges from pot. ... Just before filling them, invert jars onto a kitchen towel to dry.read more >>