How much do you reuse?

[Grow 4 Food]

I have been canning for a few years but not a lot (many 8-10). I have always been told that you shouldn't reuse the lid that has already been canned once. You can reuse the rings though. So is that true about the lids? Are they a one time only use?

 

[nccountrygirl]

Yes they are a one time deal. The rubber gets soft and food particals get in the seal, They are cheep to buy so just replace them every time.

 

[coopy]

My sister says she reuses hers. However I don't. They aren't that expensive.

 

[punkin]

I don't reuse mine either. The rubber does break deteriorate (sp).

 

[blurose]

I don't reuse them for canning again, but I do use them to cover a canning jar that I use to keep a pantry staple like dry beans, coconut, choc. chips, etc.

 

[patandchickens]

Yup, they're not trustworthy to reuse (even if they seal at first they cannot be guaranteed to hold it). I do what blurose says too. Whatever you do, DO NOT let your four year old get ahold of them and use them as ninja throwing star type things, ask me how I know

Pat

 

[averytds]

I never reuse for canning. I have used over the pantry jar thing. Mostly I saved them up and gave them to one of the kids' teachers. She put things on 1 side and used them for matching games.

 

[nccountrygirl]

One yr. when my DD was in the lower grades I saved the lids from used jars for Christmas crafts they were making. Some where made into photo magnets for the fridge, some were used as ornaments for the tree and some were made into coasters. There are lots of inventive uses for used lids.

 

[blurose]

I'm seeing lots of great ideas for reusing those canning lids here.

 

[rockytopsis]

I do not reuse the lids but I do keep and reuse the rings. Before storeing the jars I remove the rings and wash them, dry them good and save for the next year. Before useing them I check each one for rust or dents and get rid of them if necessary.