​How to use Kilner Glass jars

Of all the ranges we sell at Wares of Knutsford, Kilner is one of our most enduring and popular - and it grows all the time too as we add new products. This innovative range has been around for years, and it's a fantastic brand with amazing quality, especially given the affordable prices.

The history of Kilner

Kilner was established in 1842 in Leeds by John Kilner and rapidly established itself as a manufacturer of glass bottles and apothecary glassware. By 1862, after the company had been taken over by Kilner's four sons, Kilner was accepting awards for its innovative glassware. It struggled with court action for pollution towards the end of the century but bounced back with new technology and innovation, and by 1900 it was producing its first vacuum seal jars. The business has changed hands since, but the brand continues to grow in strength and global recognition. In fact, it is more fashionable than ever and has evolved to include every type of addition you could imagine, with tops for spiralising and butter-making, screw top 'take your picnic lunch' jars and even milkshake dispensers. Now, 120 years strong, this Victorian powerhouse is still extremely popular with our customers for its versatility, quality and affordability. We love Kilner and recommend it for everything - from weddings to preserving!

Can you sterilise Kilner jars?

Yes, it's very easy to sterilise Kilner jars, and this is an essential step if you're going to make jam or other preserves. It's important not to try to sterilise glass Kilner jars by simply pouring boiling water into them, however. As with other glass jar varieties, a more thorough approach is needed, which we describe below.

Why should you sterilise Kilner jars?

If you're making jam and using a glass jar as a jam storage jar, it needs to be sterilised first to remove any bacteria, yeast and fungi. This can otherwise grow on jam or preserve and spoil it. When sterilised, the Kilner jar can be sealed as a sterile vacuum so that the contents last for as long as possible. It's very easy to sterilise your Kilner jar collection, as described below.

How can you sterilise Kilner jars?

First, check, your Kilner jars for any cracks or chips, and use any damaged ones for another purpose as the heat sterilising process may cause them to shatter. A slight chip will allow your Kilner to still be used as a glass storage jar, for example. Wash them and then use a Kilner waterbath to place the jars inside and surround them with cold water. You can then boil the water and jars inside the waterbath and maintain the temperature for the necessary ten minutes. Turn off the heat, keep the pan covered and use the jars while they are still warm. You should also sterilise your rubber lids or vacuum seal lids in the same way.

Other sterilising methods

It's important to note that Kilner jars should not be sterilised in the oven - a conventional fan oven can simply circulate stuck-on bacteria. Similarly, with a microwave, it is difficult to obtain a reliable and consistent internal pressure to reach the right temperature to kill unwanted organisms. You can, however, sterilise Kilner jars and other glass jars in the dishwasher by loading up the top rack and running a hot wash. Don't use any cleaning solution.

Discover the full Wares range of Kilner

At Wares of Knutsford, you'll find everything you need for preserve making, canning, food preparation and storage and a wide range of other uses around the home, or at events. Our Kilner range is huge and we're constantly adding to it, so you can buy all of the main glass Kilner jars and bottles themselves, together with the seals, lids and the accessories to maximise their utility around the home. When you buy in bulk, perhaps to organise your pantry, plan a wedding or host a garden party, you'll save money on the unit costs and enjoy our highly affordable delivery rates too.

Some of our most popular Kilner jars include the 1l round top clipped jar variety for canning and preserving, the 3-litre variety for all your cordial and infusing needs, the Kilner 2.2 litre spaghetti jar, the classic half litre square varieties for jams, chutneys, sauerkraut and fermenting, and the 70ml spice jars with accompanying labels. These are fantastic for tidying up your spice collection and making it look photo-worthy as part of your 'dream pantry' projects!

Check out our full range here: https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/kilner-jars/

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