Sterilizing jars and bottles

It's important to sterilize the jars and bottles that you use for storing your food as the contents will keep for far longer that way. Any dirt contaminates the food inside, causing it to spoil quickly.
Sterilizing is quick and easy and can be done in the oven, boiling in a pan or in the dishwasher.

In the oven

Heat the oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4 (not any higher as it can break the glass). Lay a double layer of newspaper on each oven shelf (no need to cover the floor) and arrange the jars on top, making sure the jars are not touching. Close the oven door and heat the jars for about 20 minutes.
Using thick oven gloves, remove each jar from the oven and place on a heatproof mat. Do not add cold food to hot jars.

In the dishwasher

Wash clean jars in your dishwasher and, when they are ready, add hot food to the hot jars, or wait for them to cool down.

In a pan

Put the jars and bottles upright in the pot. Place the lid rings around the jars and bottles. Fill the pot with water until it covers the jars and bottles by a couple of cm. Bring the water to a full, rolling boil, for 10 minutes. Use tongs to remove the jars from the water. One by one, lift the jars, bottles and lids and place them on a paper towel to dry. Be careful not to let the sterilized equipment touch anything except the clean paper towel.