As can be expected with a product as unique as reusable canning lids, we receive a lot of questions.  Here are a few, and our answers, in our effort to help further your understanding of Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids.

How long will the lids last?

The lids will last a lifetime, and beyond quite honestly.  They are BPA and Phthalate free, and made from a food grade plastic known as Acetal Copolymer, designed to withstand temperatures well beyond what you will find in a safe canning environment.  Assuming you don’t exceed recommended temperatures in a pressure canner (240 degrees F), your Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids will outlast you!

Are the rubber gaskets reusable?

Yes!  While we can’t attest to their actual longevity, due to the varying conditions of use, we can say you should expect at least 6-8 uses per gasket before considering replacement.  Much depends on the type of canning being done, and the length of time in storage on sealed jars.  A gasket used in for pressure canning, and stored for long periods of time will not last as long as one used in a water bath and opened within a few months of processing.  Stronger vacuum created in pressure canned jars, and long periods of storage will compress the gaskets more, keep them compressed longer, and therefore make them want to retain that compressed state faster.  That being said, a pressure canned gasket, stored for 1-2 years, will still provide at least 6 uses before stretching to the point of needing replacement.

Additionally, the gaskets are also made from a food grade material, in this case, food grade nitrile rubber.  They contain no silicone and therefore not prone to silicone related allergies.

Do they “pop” like metal lids, and how do I know they are sealed?

Sorry, they don’t pop…  But you will easily know they have sealed once you remove the metal screw band after the jars have cooled.  After doing so, simply grasp the rim of the plastic lid with your fingertips and lift.  A failed seal will lift easily from the jar without resistance.  The same for a jar that loses it’s seal in storage.  A quick check of jars in storage, by gently lifting or running your hands over sealed jars will identify if a fail has sealed.  It is our experience that once sealed, few jars lose that seal, even after several years.

How long does the seal last?

Interestingly, metal lid manufacturers have recently begun advertising their seals will last 18 months.  That doesn’t seem very long to us, as we have jars that remain sealed after many years.  In most cases jars processed with Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids will remain sealed beyond the time frame considered acceptable to open and consume the contents.

Hopefully this handful of FAQ’s will assist you in gaining a better understanding of Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids.  If you still have additional questions, please feel free to inquire at info@canninglids.com.  We’d love to hear from you.

We are often asked how Harvest Guard Reusable Canning Lids differ from single use, metal lids.  Since a picture is said to be worth a thousand words, we came up with this simple diagram which shows how our lids and rings are applied to a canning jar.

The key to success is ensuring the metal screw band is not applied too tightly prior to processing, so as not to trap pressure in the jar.  It is also necessary to tighten the band, within just a few minutes of removing jars from the canner, while they are still hot, using caution due to the hot contents.

This process will ensure pressure is released properly during the canning process, and allow the vacuum created during cooling to properly seal the jars after removal from the canner.

As always, use extreme caution when handling hot jars of processed food, and if you find a lid that appears “domed up” in the center, allow at least 15 minutes before tightening the metal band as this is indicative of pressure trapped in the jar which can be violently released if handled improperly.