Introduction
Thank you for choosing Ball Regular Mouth Quart Jars. These versatile 32 oz. glass jars are designed for a variety of uses, including home canning, food preservation, and general storage. Made in the USA from durable, USDA approved, and toxin-free soda-lime glass, they are built to withstand the rigors of water bath canning and everyday use. This manual provides essential information for the proper setup, operation, and maintenance of your jars to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Each pack contains 12 quart-sized jars, complete with SureTight metal lids and bands, providing an airtight seal crucial for preserving freshness.
Setup and Preparation
Before initial use, it is important to properly prepare your Ball jars. This ensures cleanliness and readiness for canning or storage.
Initial Cleaning
Wash all jars, lids, and bands thoroughly in warm, soapy water. Rinse them completely to remove any soap residue. While the jars are dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended for lids and bands to preserve their sealing integrity. Ensure all components are dry before storage or use.
Image: A single Ball Regular Mouth Quart Jar with its metal lid and band, showcasing its clear glass and classic design.
Image: A 12-pack of Ball Regular Mouth Quart Jars displayed in their original cardboard packaging, ready for use.
Operating Instructions
Home Canning and Preservation
Ball Regular Mouth Quart Jars are ideal for water bath canning and pressure canning. Always follow tested recipes and guidelines from reputable sources like the USDA for safe and effective home canning.
- Prepare Jars: Inspect jars for any chips or cracks. Wash and sterilize jars according to your canning recipe's requirements. Keep jars hot until ready to fill.
- Prepare Lids and Bands: Lids should be new for each canning process to ensure a proper seal. Bands can be reused if they are in good condition. Prepare lids according to manufacturer instructions (often simmering in hot water).
- Fill Jars: Carefully fill jars with your prepared food, leaving the recommended headspace as specified by your recipe. The embossed measurement markings on the jars can assist with precise filling.
- Remove Air Bubbles: Use a non-metallic utensil to remove any trapped air bubbles by gently running it along the inside surface of the jar.
- Wipe Rims: Clean the jar rims thoroughly with a damp cloth to ensure no food particles interfere with the seal.
- Apply Lids and Bands: Center a prepared lid on each jar. Screw on the band until fingertip tight (do not overtighten).
- Process Jars: Place filled jars into your canner (water bath or pressure canner) and process for the time specified in your recipe, adjusting for altitude if necessary. The heat-tempered durability of Ball jars makes them suitable for this process.
- Cool and Check Seals: After processing, carefully remove jars from the canner and place them on a towel-lined surface, allowing them to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Do not retighten bands. Once cool, check for a proper seal by pressing the center of the lid; it should not flex. A dull sound when tapping the lid also indicates a good seal.
Image: The two-piece Ball SureTight metal lid and band system, essential for creating an airtight seal.
Image: Ball jars filled with home-canned peaches, demonstrating their use for fruit preservation.
Image: Empty Ball jars positioned on a canning rack within a large pot, prepared for the water bath canning process.
Image: A person carefully packing green beans into a Ball jar using a canning funnel, illustrating the filling process.
Image: A jar lifter securely holding a hot Ball jar, demonstrating safe removal from a canner.
Image: Freshly canned pickled cucumbers in Ball jars, cooling after processing, ready for storage.
Food Storage
Beyond canning, Ball jars are excellent for general food storage, helping to keep contents fresh and organized.
- Dry Goods: Store dry ingredients such as pasta, rice, beans, flour, sugar, coffee beans, tea, and spices. The airtight seal helps maintain freshness and protect against moisture and pests.
- Refrigerated Items: Use for storing leftovers, sauces, dressings, or prepped ingredients in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
- Fermentation: Suitable for fermenting vegetables like sauerkraut or kimchi.
- Beverages: Ideal for home-brewed beer, cider, iced tea, or infused water.
Care and Maintenance
Proper care extends the life of your Ball jars and ensures continued safe use.
- Cleaning: Jars are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Lids and bands are best washed by hand to prevent corrosion and maintain their sealing ability.
- Storage: Store clean, dry jars in a cool, dark place. Keep lids and bands separate from jars to prevent moisture buildup and prolong their lifespan.
- Freezer Safe: Jars are freezer safe, but ensure to leave adequate headspace (at least 1 inch) to allow for expansion of contents when freezing liquids to prevent breakage.
- Microwave Safe: Jars are microwave safe for reheating contents. Remove metal lids and bands before microwaving.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues and Solutions
- Lid Not Sealing:
- Ensure jar rims are clean and free of food particles before applying lids.
- Use new lids for each canning process.
- Do not overtighten bands; fingertip tight is sufficient.
- Verify processing time and method are correct for your recipe and altitude.
- Check for chips or cracks on the jar rim.
- Unusual Odor from New Jars:
Occasionally, new jars may have a slight "fishy" or "glue-like" smell from the manufacturing process. This is normal and can be resolved by thoroughly washing the jars with soap and warm water before first use.
Specifications
| Brand | Ball |
| Model Number | KC75365 |
| Capacity | 32 Fluid Ounces (Quart) |
| Item Package Quantity | 12 Jars |
| Material | Soda-lime Glass, Metal (Lids/Bands) |
| Color | Clear |
| Closure Type | Screw (SureTight Seal) |
| Product Dimensions | 16.5"L x 12.5"W x 9"H (Package) |
| Item Weight | 10.9 Pounds (Package) |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes (Jars) |
| Microwave Safe | Yes (Jars, without metal parts) |
| Freezer Safe | Yes (with proper headspace) |
| Made In | USA |
Additional Uses and Inspiration
Ball jars are incredibly versatile and can be repurposed for various creative and practical uses around your home.
Image: Ball jars used as indoor herb planters, showcasing their utility beyond food storage.
Image: A decorative Ball jar, painted pink and adorned with a photo, serving as a vase for flowers.
Image: A Ball jar creatively used for layered salad meal prep, highlighting its convenience for on-the-go meals.
Image: A "Time to Craft!" banner, encouraging creative uses for Ball jars, such as decorations or personalized gifts.
