In this post, I will teach you everything about how to sterilise jars in the oven. Whether you are jam-making or pickling, it is important to have sterilised jars. I go through just how easy it is to sterilise jars in the oven at home.
Top Questions
What temperature do you sterilise jars in the oven?
How long do you sterilize glass jars?
What happens if you don’t sterilize jars?
Do you need to sterilize jar lids?
Equipment
- Washing up bowl
- Scourer
- Tea towel
- Kitchen Paper
How long to sterilise jars in the oven?
You’ll want to sterilise your jam jars in the oven at a temperature of about 15 minutes, but I suggest keeping them in the oven while it cools a little. Use them warm from the oven for jam, as this will stop them from cracking or breaking.
Oven Temperature for sterilising jam jars in the oven
When sterilising jam jars in the oven, you’ll want to preheat the oven to 140 degrees C in a fan oven, but about 280 degrees F. This equates to gas mark 1 if you have an old gas oven. Just think low and slow to stop your jam jars from breaking from the heat.
Other ways you can sterilise jam jars
Sterilising jars in the dishwasher
I wash the jars and lids in a hot dishwasher (steam setting if yours has one) and allow them to stay warm and dry in the machine until I’m ready to use them.
Sterilising jam jars in the Air Fryer
Another option for sterilising your jam jars is to pop them in the air fryer for about 20 minutes at the same temperature. The great thing about sterilising jam jars in the air fryer is that you don’t have to wait for them to heat up.
How to sterilise jars in the oven
Start by washing up your jam jars in a sink full of hot soapy water. Make sure you give them a good rinse and lay them upside down to drip dry.
Don’t forget to wash the lids too!
Preheat your oven and place your jars on the shelf in the oven, well-spaced apart and upside down. Leave them in the oven for 15 – 20 minutes and then once the oven is turned off, leave the jars in there for a while as they cool.
If you’re pouring jam into your jam jars, try doing this while the jars are still a little warm as this will make it easier and reduce the risk of the jars cracking from the temperature change from cold jar to hot jam.
FAQs
What temperature do you sterilise jars in the oven?
You should sterilise your jam jars in the oven at 140 degrees C or gas mark 1. This is a low temperature but the glasses will still be hot when they come out the oven so be careful.
How long do you sterilize glass jars?
You should sterilise glass jars for about 15 minutes in the oven, this will help them to fully sterilise but you should leave them in the oven for a while longer while the oven cools.
What happens if you don’t sterilize jars?
If you don’t sterilise jars in the oven it can lead to your food going off quickly or spoiling. This can make you unwell so it’s really important that you sterilise your jars.
Do you need to sterilize jar lids?
Yes, sterilising your jam jar lids in the oven is just as important as sterilising the jars. If you don’t sterilise the lids you may be stuck with spoiled jam or food that goes off too quickly.
Jam recipes you will love
Mulled Wine Jam
Small Batch Strawberry Jam – Easy one punnet strawberry jam recipe
Easy Blackberry Jam
Champagne Strawberry Jam – Easy one punnet strawberry jam recipe
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How to sterilise jars in the oven
Equipment
- Washing up bowl
- Scourer
- Tea towel
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 140ºC / 284ºF / Gas mark 1.
- Wash your jars and lids in hot soapy water.
- Place them upside down on a clean tea towel so excess water can drain out. Repeat until you do all the jars you need.
- On the oven shelf add a piece or two of kitchen paper and place the jar's rim side down. Add the lids too.
- Leave the jam jars in the oven 10-15 minutes.
- Turn the oven off and leave them in the heat.
- For best results use the jam jars hot from the oven for jam. This will reduce the chance of the glass breaking.
Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
I’m so glad I’ve got this. I was planning to can this weekend and now I know I’ll have clean jars. Thank you!
You are most welcome Ned.
I was looking for a recipe like this, thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to try it soon!
You are most welcome Shadi. I hope you enjoy making jams.
This has made it so simple. I really appreciate it.
You are most welcome.
Thanks for the awesome tips. I’ve managed to make my own jam and I’m so glad it worked.
That sounds lovely. I hope your jam is super delicious.
This is such a great way to make sure jars are clean and ready to use for those summer jams and jellies! Thanks for the tip.
You are most welcome Sharon.
This is exactly how my Mum taught me to sterilise jam jars. It works perfectly every time.
Can’t beat a classic!
I usually put my jars on a baking tray in the oven so I tried these method and it worked really well, thanks!
I’m so glad to hear it.
I’m a bit of a lazy jar steriliser but I’ll try and do better now I have proper instructions to work from!
Me too! Anything to make the process easier get my vote.