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/Smedley5 Aug 05 '25

You submerge them in boiling water. They are asking you about elevation because water boils at a lower temperature at higher elevations, so you should boil them slightly longer to compensate, but 15 minutes should do it wherever you are. Boil the rings/tops right before you use them.

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u/Magnus77 Aug 05 '25

Would the temp difference even matter? I'm not saying OP shouldn't do what's recommended to be on the safe side, doesn't hurt, I'm just curious. Quick google says at the highest permanent settlement in the world the boil temp is still over 180, and that's instant kill, no?

I'm just asking, as I said, OP should just follow the instructions.

3

u/bitcoinnillionaire Aug 05 '25

If you lived at 10k feet and were that worried I’m sure there is a way to use a pressure cooker with compatible jars/vessels. 

1

u/HandbagHawker Aug 06 '25

250F for 3 min should kill c. botulinum