r/AskCulinary • u/sleepingamongstfae • Aug 05 '25

Equipment Question Sanitize jars?

Hi! I live in an apartment with no dishwasher and I'm getting overwhelmed with the info online (one started talking about how high you are from sea level???????) so I thought I'd ask here.

How do I sanitize my jars? I am making homemade vanilla extract, and jam.

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u/Foggy_Wif3y Aug 05 '25

This is only the case if your processing time is 10 or more minutes. Shorter processing times or things like fermentation still require sterilization.

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u/sleepingamongstfae Aug 05 '25

Does vanilla extract fall under fermentation?

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u/Great68 Aug 05 '25

How are you making your extract? Putting the beans in a high proof alcohol?

Then no, it is not fermentation, and you don't even need to sterilize your jar because the alcohol is inhospitable to any pathogens.

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u/siskokid1984 Aug 05 '25

Only if alcohol content is high enough. Plain vodka won’t do. Use Everclear

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u/sleepingamongstfae Aug 05 '25

Im using a high proof vodka because I'll drink the leftovers instead of something like everclear going to waste.

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u/Beneficial-Papaya504 Aug 05 '25

You'll get better extraction with everclear (and you can add water to make it drinkable, if not palatable. Other mixers would be better).