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I have been using Kilner jars for nearly 40 years. It became almost impossible to replace the discs so for a number of years I have re-used my old ones.
We had reached the stage that whenever we went on an outing, if the place we were going to looked a bit (dare I say it!) countryish or folksy, I would go into every possible shop and ask. Most of the time I was looked at blankly but if I did strike lucky I felt like I'd won the pools. How sad is that!! It got so desperate that the OH would also be looking out for likely shops.
I do mine the lazy way I'm afraid. I just stew my fruit, simmer it for a good 5 minutes and then turn off the heat. While it is simmering I prepare the jars and discs.
I used to put them in the oven on folded newspaper so that they didn't sit on the bars but the smell from the paper used to give me such a headache.
Now I do them 4 jars at a time in the microwave. When the jar is hot to touch I empty the water out, pour in the stewed fruit and pop on the previously heated (in boiling water) disc.
Screw on the band tightly and put to one side. When the lid makes a loud "popping" noise I know the seal has been made.
To double check I unscrew the band completely once the jar is cool and then suspend the jar by holding it at the lid end. If it doesn't come off in my hand, it's sealed.
I rarely have a failure with this method and it lasts from one season to the next.
I know I should be doing the longer method for fail proof bottles but this works for me.
I have also, when I got desperate for discs, re-used empty pasta jars. They are no good however for fruit as the spicy/pickly smell lingers.
Jam jars will also work well. As long as the jar is warm - hot before the hot item is poured in then it is unlikely to crack. If the lids are heated in boiling water then a vacuum is produced as the item cools.
Just take great care when handling any of these items. They will burn/scald you if you are inattentive.
Since there is now a big trend toward self sufficiency I had been hoping Lakeland or somebody would re-introduce the discs, so thank you all for the info.
It's like wool shops isn't it.
I knitted for years and all of a sudden it seemed, knitting was fuddy duddy and old fashioned and clothing was cheaper to buy. Since the photos of celebrity actresses knitting between takes was published there has been a marked increase in interest and I notice that there are now more local outlets for yarns.
I now try to make a point of including my 8 year old grandaughter in all my food processing.
She doesn't touch any of the hot stuff but loves to write down what I'm doing and when she opens the cupboard and sees the jars of different coloured fruits and jams she thinks it's wonderful.
I am hoping that when I pop my clogs she will be old enough to inherit my jars!!
We had reached the stage that whenever we went on an outing, if the place we were going to looked a bit (dare I say it!) countryish or folksy, I would go into every possible shop and ask. Most of the time I was looked at blankly but if I did strike lucky I felt like I'd won the pools. How sad is that!! It got so desperate that the OH would also be looking out for likely shops.
I do mine the lazy way I'm afraid. I just stew my fruit, simmer it for a good 5 minutes and then turn off the heat. While it is simmering I prepare the jars and discs.
I used to put them in the oven on folded newspaper so that they didn't sit on the bars but the smell from the paper used to give me such a headache.
Now I do them 4 jars at a time in the microwave. When the jar is hot to touch I empty the water out, pour in the stewed fruit and pop on the previously heated (in boiling water) disc.
Screw on the band tightly and put to one side. When the lid makes a loud "popping" noise I know the seal has been made.
To double check I unscrew the band completely once the jar is cool and then suspend the jar by holding it at the lid end. If it doesn't come off in my hand, it's sealed.
I rarely have a failure with this method and it lasts from one season to the next.
I know I should be doing the longer method for fail proof bottles but this works for me.
I have also, when I got desperate for discs, re-used empty pasta jars. They are no good however for fruit as the spicy/pickly smell lingers.
Jam jars will also work well. As long as the jar is warm - hot before the hot item is poured in then it is unlikely to crack. If the lids are heated in boiling water then a vacuum is produced as the item cools.
Just take great care when handling any of these items. They will burn/scald you if you are inattentive.
Since there is now a big trend toward self sufficiency I had been hoping Lakeland or somebody would re-introduce the discs, so thank you all for the info.
It's like wool shops isn't it.
I knitted for years and all of a sudden it seemed, knitting was fuddy duddy and old fashioned and clothing was cheaper to buy. Since the photos of celebrity actresses knitting between takes was published there has been a marked increase in interest and I notice that there are now more local outlets for yarns.
I now try to make a point of including my 8 year old grandaughter in all my food processing.
She doesn't touch any of the hot stuff but loves to write down what I'm doing and when she opens the cupboard and sees the jars of different coloured fruits and jams she thinks it's wonderful.
I am hoping that when I pop my clogs she will be old enough to inherit my jars!!
The second link is good though, only £3.10 for 12, and sensible postage costs too 
Thanks Alison 
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