How to properly sterilize jars in the microwave

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Sterilization of the jar is one of the most important steps in canning, which cannot be neglected, and the easiest way to do it is in the microwave. This will save time and simplify the preparation process.

Why is it important not to skip the sterilization process

To prevent harmful bacteria from entering the seams, which can lead to swelling of the lids and human poisoning, you must thoroughly rinse the jars and sterilize them.

The most common fungus that settles in seams is Clostridium botulinum (botulinum toxin), which leads to serious poisoning and disruption of the digestive system. It settles on the walls of cans if you skip the sterilization process, and develops in closed cans, covering some vegetables and fruits with mold.

Even if the affected food is removed, the spores of the fungus will remain in the brine or syrup. This means that infection will be inevitable. Therefore, it is important not to pass the preparation process through the heat treatment of the cans before rolling the seals. And if, when opening the conservation in winter, you find a fungus, it is better to get rid of the product right away.

Rules for preparing cans for preservation

Traditionally, containers for workpieces are washed and steamed for a long time in a saucepan of boiling water. However, because of this, you often do not want to do conservation, so as not to be in a stuffy kitchen when it's summer outside.

Microwave sterilization of cans is considered a more effective and faster method. After all, everything is done quickly and at the same time you do not have to suffocate from the hot air, as well as waste time and water.

We do everything as follows:

• We carefully examine the cans for chips and cracks, put aside those that do not fit. Otherwise, they will burst under the influence of hot air.
• We rinse them inside with dish detergent and thoroughly rinse off the foam under running water.

• We rub the inner and outer walls with food water and leave for 2 minutes. Then we wash off the white bloom. This will help kill most bacteria and fungi that are invisible to the naked eye.
• Pour 2 cups of filtered water into the jars. Purified water will not leave limescale on the walls.
• We put them in a microwave oven, while we do not cover them with lids, otherwise they will explode. We set the power to 700, maximum 800 W and start the technique.

• In order for the sterilization of the jar in the microwave to proceed correctly, it is necessary to determine how many minutes it will take for processing. It is quite simple to calculate: for a volume of 1-1.5 liters, 3 minutes is enough, and for 2.5-3 liters, it takes 6 minutes. If the power of the microwave oven is insufficient, you need to focus on the process of boiling water. As soon as the liquid inside the container begins to gurgle, wait 3 minutes and then turn off the microwave.
• We put small containers on a spinning plate in the amount that fits, and put three-liter containers on their side.
• We take out the cans with dry tacks or with a thick towel, clasping them on the sides. Do not take them by the neck, otherwise the glass may burst. Also, we do not use wet potholders, so as not to create a strong temperature difference.

We pour the water into the sink and put the blanks inside for the winter. Next, we calculate how many minutes it will take for the next batch, and put the container in the microwave oven. Put the processed cans upside down on a clean towel

If you plan to make cold workpieces, then we prepare the cans in the microwave in advance and let them cool down. When you need to lay hot products, we calculate how many minutes sterilization will take, and roll up the blanks immediately after removing the container from the microwave oven.