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16/03/2008, 20:50 Ceejay Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 116 La Parfait jars Not sure if this is in the right Section but....... Last year we had a glut of produce in our peit jardin and luckily also aquired from a friend an American canning pressure cooker. We spent many happy days canning all sorts of things into the 1 litre La Parfait jars. On returning to Uk for the winter we started to look forward to eating our own summer produce. However we have had an enormous struggle to get the lids off the jars!! We have tried very hot running water, immersion in hot water, even a hammer and wooden spatula but still no luck except for the jars splintering on the outside. The jars are the clip down type not the screw ones. Can anyone help in a) the best method to release the lids and b) how do we prevent this happening again this year. I have heard it said that before the rubber ring seals are attached it may be necessary to coat them with something to allow free access......any ideas?    Report

16/03/2008, 20:57 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot (46) Posts 6,412 Re: La Parfait jars If the rubber ring has a small lip or a wider section, try pulling it. It should allow the air to enter the jar. Clair, a Real Virtual French Person La vérité est si obscurcie en ce temps et le mensonge si établi, qu'à moins d'aimer la vérité, on ne saurait la reconnaître. (Blaise Pascal)    Report

16/03/2008, 23:15 Iceni Joined on 23/08/2004 Lot 46 Posts 2,914 Re: La Parfait jars Your options are 1. A pair of pliers (just pull) 2. A little key with a slot in it (just turn) like the ones we used to get with a tin of sardines last century - Di bought ours at Leclerc, the new key not the tin of sardines. 3. This should happen, if it hasn't it hasn't worked. John   Di Free resource site for new and aspiring Virtual Workers    Report

17/03/2008, 9:59 Iceni Joined on 23/08/2004 Lot 46 Posts 2,914 Re: La Parfait jars The only way to avoid a recurrence is to buy screw top jars. Then of course you will have  to remove the seal in those - but that only needs a Psycho type stab. John Di Free resource site for new and aspiring Virtual Workers    Report

24/03/2008, 7:45 Tarn1 Joined on 19/12/2007 Posts 14 Re: La Parfait jars When you steralise them the result is a vacuum in the jar as the contents cool. It's quite normal. If not, they probably aren't steralised properly. The method we use to open them is pliars on the tab as mentioned above. Give it a gentle pull until you hear the satisfying 'hiss' of air entering. Then, if necessary, use whatever comes to hand to prise open the lid if it won't open easily. As a bloke I'd say use a knife, scissors, the wife's eyebrow tweezers or her nail file. My wife would say buy an expensive designer opener from the gadget shop... Tom    Report

24/03/2008, 19:22 Ceejay Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 116 Re: La Parfait jars Thanks for that Tarn1, however I have used all sorts of implements which have a) ripped off the rubber tab  b) cause shards of glass to fly everywhere. The net result is that I am left only to admire my handiwork of last year and not sample the fruits of my labours!! The fact that the canning process was successful does nothing to quell my frustration!! But thanks for the replies all. This year I shall make sure that I either do not grow as much or alternatively eat as much as I can to generate as much fat as possible for the winter!.    Report

24/03/2008, 19:47 chrisb Joined on 14/08/2003 Posts 205 Re: La Parfait jars There is one version of the rubber seals that has a lighter colour strip running to the edge of the tab - and in the strip is a hole that stops short of the edge. To release the vacuum you just snip through the coloured bit. Trouble is I can't seem to find them for sale anywhere. One of our local producers of potted everything uses them so I will enquire. The other trouble is that the seal can only be used once - not that anyone would dream of re-using them of course!    Report

31/03/2008, 23:03 Chocolate Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 94 Re: La Parfait jars Ok........ Now could someone please tell me how you use the jars to begin with! There they are, shiny and of so useful looking in the shops; in fact loads and loads of them. Equally, I have lots of produce I would like to bottle-up if only I knew how. (I am getting edgy about my ancient English freezer's ability to cope for much longer.) Does anyone out there have an idiot's guide to bottling, or is there a book to buy, (in English please) ?  Help. Before it all kicks off again for a new season.    Report

11/04/2008, 13:11 foxyloxy25 Joined on 23/07/2007 Albi (81) Posts 32 Re: La Parfait jars This reply may be more frustrating then helpful, but have a look on the cookery section, I remember printing a very helpful step by step guide which had been written by a knowledgable person, unfortunately I have not found the reference but a regular user might remember it. Jeanne     Report

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France Forum » Leisure and Pas... » Gardening » La Parfait jars

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