Ready to begin canning and explore a whole new world of preserving ingredients to boost their flavor and extend shelf life? The first thing to keep in mind is that not all jars are suited for canning. That's why we've gone ahead and picked some of the best canning jars for you to try.
Our top pick, Ball's Regular Mouth Jar, withstands different types of sealing a canned jar, such as through a hot water bath or pressure cooking. And if that's not what you're looking for, we have eight other canning jar options of varying sizes and designs. We've also written up buying guide full of helpful tips for you to get started on the exciting process.
Here we have the top canning jars you can find on the market based on our buying guide points and customer reviews. Some are for small quantity recipes like jams, while others work well for juice. We even found a couple of UV-blocking jars to protect the contents during storage.
12 pack
$21.99
Type | Traditional |
---|---|
Size | 1 pt. |
Mouth size | Regular |
Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
6 pack
$39.00
Type | Traditional with reusable lids |
---|---|
Size | 19 oz. |
Mouth size | Wide |
Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
12 pack
$39.88
Type | Traditional |
---|---|
Size | 1 qt. |
Mouth size | Wide |
Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
4 pack
$25.99
Type | Amber |
---|---|
Size | 1 qt. |
Mouth size | Wide |
Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
12 pack
$49.18
Type | Traditional |
---|---|
Size | 1 qt. |
Mouth size | Wide |
Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
4 pack
$24.99
Type | Aqua |
---|---|
Size | 1 qt. |
Mouth size | Regular |
Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
24 pack
$29.99
Type | Traditional |
---|---|
Size | 12 oz. |
Mouth size | Regular |
Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
12 pack
$10.48
Type | Quilted |
---|---|
Size | 12 oz. |
Mouth size | Regular |
Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
4 pack
$35.04
Type | Spiral |
---|---|
Size | 28 oz. |
Mouth size | Wide |
Dishwasher-safe | Not specified |
Image | 1 ![]() Ball | 2 ![]() Weck | 3 ![]() Ball | 4 ![]() Ball | 5 ![]() Kerr | 6 ![]() Ball | 7 ![]() Kamota | 8 ![]() Ball | 9 ![]() Ball |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | 61000 Regular Mouth Pint Jars | 742 Mold Jar | 67000 Wide Mouth Quart Jars | 69046 Wide Mouth Amber Jars | 0519 Wide Mouth Quart Jars | Perfect Mason Aqua Canning Jars | Mason Jars | Quilted Crystal Jars | Wide Mouth Spiral Jars |
Features | A Jar That Withstands Pressure and Water Bath Canning | Reusable Glass Lids With Steel Clamps | Easy-to-Fill Wide Mouth Jars | Canning Jars That Protect Contents From Light | Thick Quart Jars for Canning in High Temperatures | Vintage Look Jars That Are Presentation-Ready | Smooth, Plain Jars With No Logo on Them | Exquisite Jars That Look Great for Gifting | Easy-to-Grab Spiral Canning Jars |
Price | $21.99 | $39.00 | $39.88 | $25.99 | $49.18 | $24.99 | $29.99 | $10.48 | $35.04 |
Type | Traditional | Traditional with reusable lids | Traditional | Amber | Traditional | Aqua | Traditional | Quilted | Spiral |
Size | 1 pt. | 19 oz. | 1 qt. | 1 qt. | 1 qt. | 1 qt. | 12 oz. | 12 oz. | 28 oz. |
Mouth size | Regular | Wide | Wide | Wide | Wide | Regular | Regular | Regular | Wide |
Dishwasher-safe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not specified |
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You might be new to canning and don't know where to start. For starters, you can't use regular or mason jars and use them to preserve food. Canning jars are more specialized in their design, including their lids that create an air-tight lock. The following buying guide should get you started on choosing the best canning jar for your recipes.
Canning jars often come in five different designs based on the shape and size of the body. A traditional jar is transparent glass. You can also find measurement markings engraved on the side of the jar. The smooth surface of a traditional jar makes it easy to stick a label in case you'll be using one.
If you're looking for a more fancy, gift-ready option, then a quilted design, with its embossed diagonal lines, will achieve sophistication. The textured surface also makes it easy to grab and open the jar.
The well-known manufacturer Ball has started making spiral jars, with a design that looks like the glass has been twisted. This lets you grab the jar more securely and is used pretty much like its standard counterpart. Their decorative nature will make your canned goods stand out in your pantry!
Some types vary in color. An aqua canning jar has a blue tint for a classic look. An amber jar is brown and can block out most UV light, thus helping your preserved food last longer. The colored glass helps keep light and heat from altering the jar's contents.
Canning jars come in a range from four to 64 ounces in four- to eight-ounce increments. Jars from four to 24 ounces are great for jams, jellies, condiments, sauces, salsas, or single-serve juice concentrates. Larger jars work well for soups, stews, pickled veggies, or fruit juices and concentrates.
Needless to say, the size of the jar is crucial to the processing time. Larger-sized jars require more time for heat to penetrate and achieve proper conditions for preservation. We recommend following the recipe and using the closest jar size you can.
The mouth and lid type will also affect the use of the jar. Most canning jars are offered with either a regular or a wide mouth. The inner diameter of a regular jar is two and a half inches, while a wide one is three inches.
A wide mouth is great for food that has bigger chunks, like pickles or fruit pieces, because you can scoop them and pour them into the jar with larger utensils. However, standard mouths are more cost-efficient because their disposable rings and lids will be cheaper to replace.
Canning jar lids have a two-piece system for proper sealing. The USDA’s National Center for Food Preservation recommends threaded self-sealing lids for both standard and wide-mouth canning jars. This type of lid consists of a flat cover with a gasket and a screw-on ring to hold it in place.
The flat lid cannot be reused once the vacuum has been compromised upon opening the jar, so check to see if a particular size is readily available. Reusable canning lids have a flat lid with separate rubber gasket. They also come in both regular and wide mouth sizes.
Proper storage is crucial to the success and safety of your canning endeavors. When done correctly, many types of canned food can keep for at least 12 to 18 months. Keep your preserves in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as UV rays can alter the nutrient values and appearance of your food.
Don’t stack your jars, because the pressure from the top jar can cause the bottom one to unseal. Lastly, labeling your jars also helps you quickly identify when it’s time to consume or discard unused food.
If your garden is producing more food than you can consume at once, don't let it go to waste. Here are a few products you can try to let you enjoy homemade food all year round.
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