Sterilization of tomatoes in jars: how and how much time it takes to carry out the procedure

For many housewives, sterilizing tomatoes in glass jars is a guarantee of a tasty, satisfying winter period. Summer residents offer ripe tomatoes for canning, which can be sterilized, pasteurized or poured repeatedly. So that not a single jar “explodes” during the harvesting process, and the tomatoes do not deteriorate, it is important to follow the canning technique.

Can I sterilize jars of tomatoes?

Sterilizing full jars, as well as empty lids, is a great way to kill micro-organisms that contribute to instant product spoilage. Stock up on patience, advice from professionals, as well as various spices to taste.

This procedure is necessary to eliminate harmful bacteria.

Preparing jars

Sterilization takes place in different ways, but the preparation of containers and contents is always the same.

Before canning, glass containers must be cleaned with a brush, with a solution of soda. Drying of cans occurs in the "grandmother's" way - they are turned upside down on a paper, cloth towel (napkin). When it comes time to fill the containers, it is recommended to re-dip them in boiling water

Lids for jars are washed with running water, soda and soap. Rinsing, they are determined in a metal bowl, filled with hot water and heated for 20 minutes. Such a measure is taken before canning (maximum 2 hours). Lids can be sterilized:

• in an oven preheated to 120 degrees;
• in boiling water;
• in a small ladle, a separate pot of boiling water.

Next, the housewives are taken for the main ingredient of conservation - tomatoes. They are washed in warm water, cleaning from road dirt and dust. At this stage, it is necessary to adhere to the basic sorting rules, namely, divide the tomatoes by:

• color;
• size;
• degrees of maturity.

When sterilizing tomatoes in jars, they check again which tomatoes are taken. Medium and small fruits are chosen for blanks, and large ones are best used for filling.

Safety precautions

Since the hostess deals with boiling water, glass containers during sterilization, it is worth being careful, observing safety measures. The condition of the products themselves also plays a big role.

Tomatoes canned with or without skin. However, before the procedure itself, the fruits are blanched for a couple (about 5 minutes), and later they are cooled. This measure allows you to easily remove the skin in the future and enjoy delicious preservation, and also kills all microbes.

In order not to get burned when taking out cans or lids from boiling water, use:

• kitchen meat tongs;
• tack;
• towel with terrycloth.

How to sterilize jars of tomatoes?

For homemade, any glass container that is hermetically sealed is suitable. After sterilization over steam, the tomatoes are carefully placed in a deep container. Then they are sterilized or use the method of hot filling in jars with a volume of:

• 0.5L - 10-15 minutes;
• 1 l - 20-25 minutes;
• 3 l - 30-35 minutes.

Such measures will allow you to store all preservation at room temperature. This is true if the house does not have a cold cellar. There are several ways to sterilize:

1. In a pot.
2. With steam.
3. In the slow cooker.
4. In the microwave.
5. In the oven.
6. Hot pour method.

The most popular way to sterilize tomatoes in jars is boiled water. To do this, take a deep saucepan, a vat, and a towel falls on their bottom. The jar is placed in a filled container, while the temperature of the water coincides with the temperature of the workpiece. Otherwise, the jar will crack or burst.

The water level should reach the "shoulders" of the can, covered with a lid (not closed). Next, you need to observe the boiling time depending on the volume of the container.

After that, the jars are carefully removed and twisted, turned upside down and “hidden” in heat until they cool completely.

Steam over the pot

Steam sterilization of cans is considered a traditional way of decontaminating containers before preservation. A proven, reliable way to sterilize containers is to use a saucepan or kettle. You will also need a special cover with several holes.

For such purposes, some housewives resort to using a metal grate from an oven or grill, a sieve, any other limiter that would hold the jar over boiling water.

Depending on the volume of glass containers, the sterilization time will vary from 5 to 20 minutes. A successful result will be "prompted" by drops of steam on the walls of the jar at the end of the procedure - the steam should evenly flow down.

In a pot

The most popular way to kill microorganisms and bacteria is to sterilize jars in a saucepan. There are several important nuances here:

• when laying cans, any clean matter, folded in 5-6 layers, is placed on the bottom of the pan;
• sometimes use a wooden grate or a metal circle;
• while boiling, the pot is closed with a lid;
• don't let the water boil so it's important to regulate the fire.

Tomato sterilization time in a standard 1 liter jar takes up to 25 minutes.

In addition to kitchen utensils and stoves, you can use a slow cooker or microwave. This modern approach has become popular due to the speed and accuracy of the process:

1. In the slow cooker, you need to follow the same steps as with the pan. In the settings of the device, it is necessary to set the "Baking" mode and bring the water to a boil along with the jars of tomatoes placed in the bowl. It is necessary to take out containers with conservation after 10 minutes.
2. The microwave sterilization method is the easiest and fastest, because it takes 5 minutes at most. The container with blanks is placed in the oven with the maximum power mode set in advance. However, large 3 liter containers cannot be placed in the microwave.

Dry sterilization of tomatoes in a jar can even use the oven. Harmful bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms are removed by exposure to high temperatures, but without any liquid. The method will consist in the gradual heating of the container, as well as the mandatory steps:

1. Pre-cleaning jars and filling them with tomatoes.
2. Loose closure of containers with lids.
3. Installing jars on a wire rack or baking sheet.
4. Heating the oven to a maximum of 120 degrees.
5. Heat glass jars from 10 minutes to half an hour, depending on the volume.
6. Retrieve the "sterilized" preservation from the oven.

In addition to the oven, this method is used on both gas and electric stoves. This method almost does not change the appearance of tomatoes

How long does it take to sterilize?

Heat treatment of glass containers will protect against harmful bacteria and microorganisms. With proper sterilization, blanks for the winter will delight the tables with a delicious and he althy snack.

During the procedure, the jars must be placed in a large container, laid on a towel, other matter so that the glass walls do not beat against each other. If a saucepan is chosen for this, make sure that the water in it does not reach the neck by 4-5 cm.

Sterilization time is counted from the beginning of the liquid boiling. The largest jars take up to half an hour to warm up, liter jars take about 20 minutes, and smaller ones take up to 10 minutes.

At the end of the procedure, the tomato jars are rolled up, shaken and allowed to cool in the “upside down” position in any dry, warm place.

Half-liter

Half-liter containers are considered the most popular when rolling products, vegetables and fruits. Such jars (0.5 l) with tomatoes are sterilized both in the oven and in the pan. They are placed in a slow cooker, microwave oven.

Tomatoes of any size are placed inside such a container. If the hostess preserves garlic, basil and other products along with tomatoes, they try to pick up medium-sized fruits. Sterilization time will take no more than 10 minutes.

For 1 liter

In this case, the procedure time increases to 15-20 minutes: steamed, in the oven or in a saucepan with liquid. They try to choose suitable lids for a particular type of canning:

• tin lid for seamer;
• glass with clip;
• polyethylene for cold method;
• polyethylene for hot method.

3 liter

The largest jar size is not suitable for microwave or slow cooker sterilization. The best option is steam treatment of containers. A large bottle can hold a huge amount of tomatoes, so there is a risk of spoiling the "portion".

In addition to traditional cans, you can use containers with a yoke lock. However, when working with an oven or steam, you must adhere to safety measures. These models have metal inserts in the design (hinged lid, handle), so prepare the oven mitt in advance.

With proper sterilization of full jars, it will be possible to keep homemade preparations safe and sound.Such a measure eliminates all microorganisms that can get into a clean container and cause fermentation. They choose the best sterilization option for the successful preservation of the country harvest.

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