The Dangers of Reusing Gallon Pickle Jars
Reusing gallon pickle jars is commonplace in the foodie community, however, the structure of the glass is causing problems. These jars are manufactured for one time use, safely. Reusing them is posing a breakage hazard.
Jars can be reused for dry ingredients safely.
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Reusing them with liquid is causing reports of breakage. For this author two types of breakage are happening.
This jar was filled with room temperature tea. Shortly after the jar was filled a Pac-Man shaped hole blew out the bottom side of the jar, landing 3 feet away in several pieces. Tea gushed out flooded the counter, cabinets and floor.
This jar has a line drawn in marker where another jar broke when it was filled with fermenting probiotic kraut juice. The jar broke as it was being transported to storage shelves in the basement, carried by the external threaded screw cap. We transported the jar carrying it by the lid, fingers folded down under the collar at the neck. When the jar broke, the top of the jar and lid were still securely in place. The jar had not been fermenting the kraut juice, the liquid had recently been transferred to the jar before it broke.
These half gallon jars are optimal for reuse. These jars are gallon jars are made for fermentation and what I currently use along with half gallon mason jars.
This mason jar can be used for fermenting or canning as well as tea and juice.
Mount Olive was contacted regarding this issue. Their response was, “We always recommend recycling our glass jars after the product has been used.”
*Nourishing Plot is written by Becky Plotner, ND, traditional naturopath, CGP, D.PSc. who sees clients in Rossville, Georgia. She works as a Certified GAPS Practitioner who sees clients in her office, Skype and phone. She has been published in Wise Traditions, spoken at two Weston A. Price Conferences, Certified GAPS Practitioner Trainings, has been on many radio shows, television shows and writes for Nourishing Plot. Since her son was delivered from the effects of autism (Asperger’s syndrome), ADHD, bipolar disorder/manic depression, hypoglycemia and dyslexia, through food, she continued her education specializing in Leaky Gut and parasitology through Duke University, finishing with distinction. She is a Chapter Leader for The Weston A. Price Foundation. becky.nourishingplot@hotmail.com
“GAPS™ and Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ are the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The right of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Patent and Designs Act 1988.