Making jams, chutneys etc - what could you not do without?

[Seahorse]

I'm hoping to preserve some of my harvest this year. I've ordered a couple of books and had a look round at equipment etc. It's obvious I could go out and spend a fortune on getting every last gadget but as a beginner, I'd like to ask the experts here what items they've really found invaluable? And as a supplementary, have you ever bought anything 'useful' that's turned out to just gather dust?

As a starting point, I'm hoping to make jam and chutney/relish type things.

Claire

[poozie]

I make my jams and chutneys with a large saucepan, a wooden spoon and some muslin. My favourite book is The best Kept Secrets of the Women's Institute Jams, Pickles and Chutneys.

[muckdiva]

A wide mouth funnel for ladling stuff into jars without half of it dressing the outside of the jar. Needs to have a wide bit at the bottom or you'll be there forever though

[pigletwillie]

A maslin pan is a must really as is a jam funnel and some wooden spoons. I never use a thermometer so mine does indeed gather dust.

I make quite a bit of jelly and rather than fart about straining it over night I now use a steam juicer and its a boon. Cristal clear juice ready for turning into jelly in minutes.

The above and obviously jars are all I use and I recon to make between 150-200lb of varyous preserves a year.

[Earthbabe]

A large heavy bottomed pan, some wooden spoons, a good knife for chopping things up, a decent peeler, a wide mouthed funnel and jars (this last being definitely cadgeable)and a jug and ladle and a juicer for lemon juice.

Being a bit of a novice with jam especially I still use my scales and things for measuring but most people have those anyway. Chutney is more forgiving if your quantities are a bit squwiff.

I have a thermometer and after using if a couple of times have found that I can tell by the boiling rate and rims of the pan whether it it will set or not.

Most of it as you've probably gathered is what we use on a day-to-day basis and if you are already cooking etc you will have most of it.

[Headfry]

Lots of heatproof mats for hot pans and jars!

[Seahorse]

Thanks everyone! Can't wait to get going now!

Claire

[JennieAtkinson]

My advice would be ......... a dedicated cupboard to store all the jam jars you are collecting!

I keep telling myself I must get that sorted as every cupboard I open a flood of jars just follow.

[SarzWix]

A 'proper' jam pan has been our best buy for sure - ours is a Kitchen Craft stainless steel one. It may seem expensive, but it will last forever, and I think it was worth the investment.

The thing I'd not bother with, is one of those sieves with a scraper/presser built in (not sure of it's proper name), supposed to make it easier to sieve tomatoes etc. It's rubbish!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Found out this pm that the one thing I couldnt do without is a large, heavy bottomed preserving pan! Have I got one? No! Mmmm trying to make lemon chutney in a large saucepan isn't really working! Anyone got a spare preserving pan - or does anyone fancy coming and cleaning my hob? LOL! Bernie

[swampie sue]

Hi

I got one at a car boot sale.....for a couple of pounds...Why don't you have a hunt around a few.

SS