Sterilizing Mason Jars
Published : August 15, 2021
Updated: August 12, 2026
Sterilizing Mason Jars before canning is one of the most important things about canning and making preserves because this will ensure the food will last.
When I first started preserving food I didn’t realize the importance of sterilizing my jars and within a few months would lose the product to mold. Now that I regularly sterilize my jars before use, the food lasts for years.
The best part is you don’t need any fancy equipment, just your oven and 20 minutes.
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To sterilize your jars:
Clean them first (either in the dishwasher or hand wash), let them dry completely.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees farehneight.
Place the jars on a cookie sheet, or you can place directly on the wire rack in the oven.
Bake for 20 minutes, this should kill any bacteria on the glass.
To sterilize your lids:
Place lids and rings into a pot of water, just enough water to cover them.
Bring water and lids to a boil.
Let boil for a few minutes.
Keep them in the hot water until you are ready to can.
If you can, try to do the sterilization at the same time as prepping your food so that everything is ready at the same time and still good and hot.
