smelly canning jars

hey canners, is there a tried and true way to remove the odors of past contents from ball jars? i try to reuse jars, but i can't seem to get the smells out. thanks, justjoan

Hi,

I put them away clean, not suggesting you don't. I always wash them with soap and hot water before using.

If there is an odor, well something else is now there to leave its signature.

Otherwise if it really annoyed me, I might try vinegar.

Sorry, I don't have a better answer.

Regards,

Wash well with hot water and dish detergent. Then put a few tablespoons full of vinegar and some baking soda and swish it around. fill the jar with hot water overnight and let soak. Rinse the next day and see if the smell is gone.

thanks cathy and toria. i'll try the overnight vinegar and baking soda soak.

What are you smelling? Generally, I dont think,I've experienced odors in glass.

I think Toria is right. Next stop,would be bleach, but it is odd that the glass has any odor.

Wait, is it the actual jars that smell? Did they have lids/bands on them? If so, remove bands and lids, used lids shouldn't be used again for food storage, but are perfectly fine for paper clips,or something like that.

the specific jars that prompted me to post are 2 jars, with 2 piece metal lids that used to hold roasted red pepper in olive oil from bari foods. the jars don't smell if i leave them open for a few hours, but if i screw them shut and open them, they smell. i wanted to store some flaky sea salt in one and dried orange peel in the other and don't want to risk contaminating them with the smell of the former contents. maybe the lids are retaining the smell, not the glass? where can i buy lids w/o jars?

Toss the lids and bands and get plastic replacement lids. I'm pretty sure that Ava's correct and those are the culprits. If you don't need a whole pack of them, post the size of the jar and I'd be happy to bring a couple to the picnic for you, assuming they're a standard size.

boudreaulicious wrote:Toss the lids and bands and get plastic replacement lids. I'm pretty sure that Ava's correct and those are the culprits. If you don't need a whole pack of them, post the size of the jar and I'd be happy to bring a couple to the picnic for you, assuming they're a standard size.

that's awfully kind of you. i don't think i've ever seen plastic lids. someone recently gave me some very old quart sized ball jars with an aqua tint. they have screw on metal lids with a plastic piece that fits inside the lid, not on the jar. never seen anything like that, either. i could probably use 2 or 3 lids, for now, if you can spare them. i'd be happy to buy a couple from you at the picnic, thanks. - any suggestions on where to buy them if i want more? i try to always reuse jars with wide mouths like ball jars. they're great for spices and such- but that's also why they must be completely smell free. it makes sense that the metal insert with the rubber ring attached might be the problem. see you sunday! jj

justjoan wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:Toss the lids and bands and get plastic replacement lids. I'm pretty sure that Ava's correct and those are the culprits. If you don't need a whole pack of them, post the size of the jar and I'd be happy to bring a couple to the picnic for you, assuming they're a standard size.

that's awfully kind of you. i don't think i've ever seen plastic lids. someone recently gave me some very old quart sized ball jars with an aqua tint. they have screw on metal lids with a plastic piece that fits inside the lid, not on the jar. never seen anything like that, either. i could probably use 2 or 3 lids, for now, if you can spare them. i'd be happy to buy a couple from you at the picnic, thanks. - any suggestions on where to buy them if i want more? i try to always reuse jars with wide mouths like ball jars. they're great for spices and such- but that's also why they must be completely smell free. it makes sense that the metal insert with the rubber ring attached might be the problem. see you sunday! jj

Just to be sure I bring the right ones--you need lids for wide-mouth quart jars, correct? No need to pay for them--they're not expensive.

I typically find them at Meiers, Strack or Target but it can be hit or miss. About a month ago, I ordered a few boxes from Amazon since I have free shipping via Prime and didn't feel like going hunting for them.

jen, the 3 jars w/smelly lids are pint , not quart. different size lids probably?? if you only have quart sized lids, i'd still love to have 2 of them to replace the old, battered metal lids on my 2 old aqua tinted ball jars. i've been afraid to use them for storage as the plastic insert fell out of 1, and both lids don't seem to tighten securely. so far, they're just decorative. thanks again, see you sunday. and once i see what you're talking about, i'll keep my eyes peeled to buy some.

justjoan wrote:jen, the 3 jars w/smelly lids are pint , not quart. different size lids probably?? if you only have quart sized lids, i'd still love to have 2 of them to replace the old, battered metal lids on my 2 old aqua tinted ball jars. i've been afraid to use them for storage as the plastic insert fell out of 1, and both lids don't seem to tighten securely. so far, they're just decorative. thanks again, see you sunday. and once i see what you're talking about, i'll keep my eyes peeled to buy some.

I'm pretty sure that they're the same--the difference is if they're wide mouth or regular. Which are yours?

I'm pretty sure that they're the same--the difference is if they're wide mouth or regular. Which are yours?[

well, they seem wide mouth to me, but what do i know? i measured the openings of the jars- about 2-5/8" across. the lids are 2-7/8" across, measured at the open end.

justjoan wrote:

I'm pretty sure that they're the same--the difference is if they're wide mouth or regular. Which are yours?[

well, they seem wide mouth to me, but what do i know? i measured the openings of the jars- about 2-5/8" across. the lids are 2-7/8" across, measured at the open end.

If the mouth of the jar is even with the edge of the jar--it's wide mouth. If it narrows (so that the jar body is wider than the opening), it's not.

You can buy white plastic lids at hardware stores. Try an Ace hardware store or maybe a large discount store. I have also bought them at Amazon. Yes there is the regular size opening and a wide opening so you have to make sure you get the right one. The plastic lids are so much better for storage of stuff than the metal which should only be used for canning. They are air tight and can be washed and of course they do not rust. I store dried peas and beans in old antique blue ball jars and I have put white lids on all of them.

The plastic lids from mayonnaise jars (e.g., Hellmann's, Kraft etc.) will usually fit either pint or quart canning jars. Likewise the blade and screw on base from an Oster blender will usually screw onto a canning jar. If you are grinding spices in your blender, use the canning jar when grinding spices, flip it over, unscrew the blender blade and base, and close with a mayo jar cap. If you don't buy store mayo, maybe a friend who does can save some for you.

By the way if you are cleaning stuff in the kitchen you can use water and hydrogen peroxide that you buy at a pharmacy. That is also a disinfectant. Here is a good guide.

http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/ ... oxide.html