I've had a few comments here recently in regards to how much work it was to can tomatoes, as some readers followed my step-by-step tutorial for canning diced tomatoes. I agree. Canning takes a lot of work. Much as I love the end result, it isn't really something I do just for kicks.
Though it certainly can be money saving, particularly if you are using garden produce or buying ripe produce at end-of-the-season prices, that isn't the only reason that I do it. When I first learned that canned goods expose us to significant levels of BPA, because of the can's inner lining, my motivation to do my own canning suddenly went up a few notches.
I was feeling really good about my efforts to reduce my family's exposure to BPA in canned goods until I learned last year that the flat canning lids that we use in home canning have a similar lining to store-bought cans, and yes, it includes BPA! Take a minute to groan and mutter how you can't believe how BPA is just EVERYWHERE... then come back and read on, because I have finally found a great alternative for canning lids!
In my reading last year and on the Keeper of the Home forum, I first heard the name Tattler. This spring I decided to look into it further and discovered that Tattler is a company that makes plastic, but BPA-free, reusable canning lids.
I love the concept of these lids for a number of reasons:
- Less waste, because they are reusable year after year.
- Less cost, because I don't have to buy new lids each year.
- No BPA (the obvious reason)
Tattler kindly allowed me to review some regular and wide mouth lids for my summer canning this year. They are used in almost exactly the same manner as a regular canning lid, with a few small differences. Instead of being just a single piece, they are a combination of two pieces-- a flat plastic lid, and then a red rubber ring.
After you wipe the rims of your jars, you simply fit the rubber ring onto the underside of the plastic lid, and then carefully place it on the top of the jar as you usually would. Screw on your ring cap, and that's it. Pretty simple stuff, hey?
My Experience with Tattler Reusable Canning Lids
I did notice that the rings don't screw on quite as tightly as usual, because the Tattler lids are a little bit thicker than the metal ones. The difference is pretty minimal, though, and it didn't seem to affect their performance. Out of 16 jars of peaches, I had only one that didn't seal when it was all said and done (and one that I was unsure of in my first batch, that I decided to re-process just in case, although it might have been just fine).
The only disconcerting part for me was that I was listening and waiting for that unmistakable "pop" that happens when a lid seals as the finished jar cools on the counter. If they made a sound, it was unnoticeable to me as I continued to bustle around and clean up. I found myself bending over the jars at strange angles, trying to look and see whether the lid had really been suctioned and sealed properly or not. In the end, they did all seem to seal just fine except the one, and that can happen even with regular lids.
Though I obviously haven't had a chance to try reusing any of my lids yet, Tattler has customer testimonials stating that people have been reusing lids and rings over and over for even 10 or 20 years! After multiple uses, the rubber rings can begin to wear out, but you can buy inexpensive boxes of the rings to replace the old ones, and continue to use them with your old lids.
My only complaint is that the lids are plastic. Yes, they are BPA-free, but I am still a bit leery of using plastic that is being heated up in the canning process. My preference would be to find a lid that was made with metal instead, although I'm not sure about the feasibility of coming up with something that is both plastic-free AND reusable.
The price is fairly reasonable. A box of 3 dozen lids and rubber rings costs $21 for regular size and $24 for wide mouth. So about $7-8 per dozen, which is triple the cost of conventional canning lids. But if they last at least three years, and keep the BPA out of my home canned goods, then they're easily worth while. If they last longer, then it's a great deal!
Would you like to try using Tattler canning lids yourself?
I have a package of 3 dozen regular lids and 3 dozen wide mouth lids to giveaway to one lucky reader!
Here's how to enter:
1) Leave a comment and tell me why you first began canning.
2) Subscribe to Keeper of the Home, either by RSS or by email (or let me know if you already do).
3) Share about this giveaway on your blog, or through your favorite social media (you can find Keeper of the Home on both Facebook and Twitter). One extra entry per social media share.
Giveaway ends Tuesday, Sept 28th. Giveaway has now ended.
Just wondering what the 7 means in the recycle triangle on the lid. In my research I thought I understood that the number 7 plastic is in the "other" category.. a hard dense plastic that contains BPA. Does anyone have any information on this? Perhaps I have misunderstood?
My understand of #7 is that it is a catch-all for every kind of plastic that doesn't fall under the other numbers. So some of the things it includes would have BPA in them, and some wouldn't. I guess these plastic lids fall under this category?
Yes, it appears that the lids do fall under that category, and unless the manufacturer can verify that the specific plastic in the Tattler lids are BPA free, it would appear there might be a possibility of some trace of BPA in the lids, due to the fact that the #7 is a combination of several plastics, some or all of which in that category may contain BPA. I have hesitated using the two boxes I purchased due to the #7 category, as my physician has suggested that I avoid the #7 products. However, the Tattler lid boxes are labeled BPA free... so I guess I can trust that whatever plastic(s) they are using is or are truly BPA free.
I subscribed. I didn't realize this was a Christian website! That's even better. Another reason I have started canning.
I "liked" this on FB
I recently began canning b/c I have a nice garden and find it hard to buy produce and canned things from the store once summer is over. There is so much "garbage" in everything these days. Also, winter is out "slow" time of year when there's not as much income, so it helps to put in a little effort in the summer to help during those months. Also, with this economy, who knows how long we'll have work?!
I'd love to try something to save money AND our health!
I subscribe to Keeper of the Home by email already. I started canning because I wanted to preserve my hard work in the garden & my husband's grandparents peach tree was prolific the year I started. We ate peaches for months.
I have canned a little in the past, but this year I have done quite a bit - mainly because my parents had an over-abundance of tomatoes. So a lot of salsa and tomatoes have been canned. I also did some pickles, pickle relish and watermelon jelly.
Also, I am already following you via Google reader.
Thanks for your efforts.
Mary
I subscribe in google reader. :)
My mom canned when I was a little girl. One year I decided I wanted to try it (this was after I was married and had 2 children). I made a bunch of jam and used a conventional pot with towel in the bottom to process them. Loved doing it so much I bought a water bath canner the following year and canned even more. This year I canned even more, jam (4 types!), apple butter, cherry marmalade, applesauce, peaches, pears, and cherries. Next year I hope to add a pressure canner to my lineup and can things like green beans and beets and tomato sauces.
My only question with the lids like this, is, what do you do when you give canned goods as gifts? I often give away my jams and jellies as gifts at Christmas. But I don't always know ahead of time what I'll be giving away. I think I'd be heart broken to loose these expensive lids!
I am a fan of your site and keep updated on posts via FaceBook. I started canning because we get an abundance of salmon in the summer and I wanted a more reliable way to store it than in the freezer. That was 5 years ago and I can all sorts of things now! I would LOVE to try those lids. They sound fantastic! Thank you for this opportunity.
Oh, I already receive your blog feed and shared this on facebook!
I first started canning to use up all the produce from our CSA and because it was healthier than store bought. Now I love it and do more every year. BPA free would be great to have in this kitchen.
Posted on FB
I am already a subscriber to your feed
I actually don't can...but my mother in law does and she is such an awesome Godly woman that I would LOVE to win these for her! (Some day I hope to learn how to can from her...)
Also, I am a new subscriber through my google reader!
I started canning about 4 years ago--pretty much as a fluke, thinking I'd never do it again! I LOVED it! I still do...and now, as I am making the journey towards real food and feeding my family better, canning is even more important. We grow a lot of our own produce, so I am very busy in the summer/fall. Thanks for the giveaway!
I signed up to receive updates via email.
I started canning when I inherited my grandmothers canner. Now I love it. I love to can everything. My step mom had kept one of my grandmother's pressure canners just in case she wanted to use it. Well, she didn't so I have 2 water bath & 2 pressure canners for years.
We just read about apples this morning and then went to an orchard and picked our own apples this afternoon! Now I have a bunch of apple butter and such to make. I have never done such a thing before. I have to get jars and all the stuff that goes with it. Hopefully hand me downs. My daughter is 5 yrs old, so hopefully we'll do canning often through out the years to come. Those lids would be wonderfull to help us get started! I really enjoy your site, you're helping me raise 3 little ones for the Lord. Thank YOU