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Making Jam Gear (What & Where To Buy) - Top Recommendations
Being able to make jam or preserves yourself of your favorite healthy foods is a special and satisfying feeling. You have total control of what you serve your family.
But it’s also a lot of fun! It’s something you can do together with family or friends, or by yourself in the sanctity of your kitchen, however you like it!
Having the right tools, appliances/equipment makes it even more enjoyable.
And as with all of our recommendations we want to help you by carefully selecting those tools and products based on our experience and know-how.
Below you'll find all the products we recommend when you want to make your own jam or preserve.
Purchases through the links below may earn us an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.
Table of Contents
Recommended Jam Cooking Pots
When cooking jam for the first time, you don’t have to buy a new boiler, saucepan or other pot of any special kind. You can use whatever you have at home.
I recommend though that you use a wide pan or saucepan. More surface area means more even cooking and faster evaporation of moisture.
The pan should also have high edges because the jam might splash some when it boils.
After some jamming-sessions you might be interested in buying dedicated jam making utensils and pots. I have two recommendations of what you can make your jam in.
Recommended Traditional Jam Cooking Pot
My recommendation for a traditional jam cooking pot is a very smart Maslin pan with handles that's made of stainless steel #ad
It can hold 2.4 gallons or 9 liters and has a very useful measurement scale in both English and metric on the inside.
You don’t have to have a lid when cooking jam, it’s often preferable to go without.
I myself never use a lid as I want to evaporate the moisture as quick as possible so that I can shorten the boiling time and thereby save the maximum amounts of nutrients from the berries and fruits.
Why we recommend this one over others
This pan has a pour spout and a handle, making it easy to pour the jam into canisters when it's done. I find this very useful.
It’s made of stainless steel and is dishwasher safe. But if you don’t want to wash it in the dishwasher, it’s quite easy to clean yourself.
Recommended All Automatic Jam and Jelly Maker
My second recommendation is a whole different kind of jam making pot. It’s an automatic jam and jelly maker #ad
If you're, or the one you're buying it for, is more of a techie this fits perfectly!
It has a simple control interface and an aromatic stirrer.
Why we recommend this one over others
It’s electric so you don’t have to use the stove.
It’s very easy to use, so you won't need the manual. It’s easy to clean and it doesn’t weigh that much.
Some of these electric automatic jam makers are very heavy, which is something that I don’t appreciate.
I want to be able to store away my utensils when I don’t use them.
Although this one is so nice looking that if you have the space you can leave it on the counter.
Why not cook jam in copper?
There are people that advocate the use of copper pans when cooking jam. They say that copper leads heat the best and that the jam burns less in a copper pan.
Both of which is true and good valid arguments for using a copper pan.
But since I know that copper isn’t entirely safe and I also know that whatever pot you use when cooking food some particles of the material ends up in your food, I don’t use it myself when making jam.
That is why I don’t recommend using jam making pots made of copper.
Recommended Jam Jars With Regular Lids and Bands
In order to succeed with a jam, we must first start with the jars.
The jars must be completely clean so we avoid shortening the shelf life and affecting the flavors of the jam.
They should be clean and hot. Place the dish washed cans in the oven at 125 ° C or in boiling water for a few minutes. That way you sterilise them and you also reduce the risk of the glass shattering when you pour the hot jam into them.
These jam jars are ideal for jam #ad. This pack has 24 jars with the capacity at 10 fl.oz (300 ml) each.
The jars are made of BPA Free 100% food safe grade glass and they are dishwasher safe.
The lid is designed for use and storage. This means that the lids will prevent leaks and preserve foods while still being easy to open and close.
In this pack you also get whiteboard labels that you can put on top of the jar describing it’s content and the date when you made them.
I myself love this feature as it's almost impossible to forget to note the date on every jar!
Why we recommend this one over others
These jam jars are beautiful and useful. I think it’s great to have many jars at home that looks the same when you are about to make jam.
This same brand of jars is also available in different sizes if needed. This glass has food safe grade glass.
I especially like the design of the lids because they are easy to open as well as to seal tightly.
Recommended Thermometer
Jam and jelly should be cooked to 105-106 ° C.
Measure the temperature in the middle and not against the bottom of the pan, because it's warmer and will give you a wrong reading.
This thermometer is perfect #ad when you want to be extra careful with your jam and don’t want to “guess” when it's ready.
It can of course also be used if you like to make candy or melt chocolate.
Temperature ranges in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.
I always aim to preserve as much nutrients and health benefits as I can from the foods I'm making the jam of.
A thermometer gives me the control I need to be able to be sure I don't over cook the jam and destroy more of the nutrients than absolutely necessary.
Why we recommend this one over others
This thermometer is dishwasher safe which I really like.
It’s not very common to come across thermometers that actually can be washed in the dishwasher.
Great when it's sticky from all the jamming!
This one is designed so that you can hang it up on the side of your pot without it touching the bottom. That's perfect for making jam as you want to measure the temperature in the middle of the pot.
After a few jamming sessions I also realized another great advantage of this design, you have a natural place to hang it on while coooking instead of putting it on a plate next to your stove.
This might not seem like a great advantage but you'll be glad you have it once you try it. It won't take up space of your precious work area and it's always right next to all the action.
Recommended Kitchen Apron, Oven Mitt And Pot Holder Set
It’s a good thing to have an apron when cooking jam.
It can splash some when it boils.
Why not look extra snazzy in this jam apron, with matching oven mitt and pot holder! #ad
Why we recommend this one over others
This apron is just so beautiful and useful!
It’s not something you have to have. It can be a great gift for friends if they like to make jam, or just like jams!
Oh, and if you're the one that's making the jam, everyone of your friends just has to love jam...right?
Recommended Wood Utensil Spatula Spoon Ladle 3 Piece
Use a long wooden spoon and put a towel around your hand as it splashes a lot when you stir!
Heatproof, sturdy and easy to clean, wooden spoons are great for stirring jam as it cooks and for breaking up stubborn pieces of fruit.
Wood is better because it doesn’t cool the mixture like metal and doesn’t melt like plastic. This set of three pieces #ad is handcrafted in Italy from olive wood.
Why we recommend this one over others
When we make jam or something else that is that hot, we don’t want to use plastic, we don’t trust it.
Wood is the thing for us. So these wood utensils from Italy are perfect in various areas in the kitchen, not just only when you're making jam.
I think they are beautiful as well as useful.
I recommend using the biggest one of the spoons when making jam.
Recommended Digital Kitchen Scale Multi Function Food Scale With Removable Bowl
A kitchen scale is a must have in every kitchen. It’s so useful, whether you're making jam, baking a cake or making dinner.
I use my scale almost every day. It's the scale that gives me the possiblitiy to adjust the recipes and keep refining it until I reach perfection.
This scale is a digital multi function food scale that includes a bowl #ad
It measure in grams, ounces, pounds, and kilograms. It has a built-in timer and a temperature sensor.
The bowl is very useful, it’s stainless steel and holds 2.15 litres or about 0.5 gallons.
Why we recommend this one over others
This scale is very accurate.
The bowl that fits the scale is a great thing to have. You can actually make your whole cake in the bowl.
It’s also nice looking, so you can have it on your counter all the time (if you have the space).
But if you want to store it away that's also easy, it’s light and the bowl goes upside down on top of the scale.
I love good design and this is a sturdy, acurate and easy to store scale.
Recommended Citrus Zester
A zester allows you to create fine, thin, julienned strips of zest without bitter white pith on them.
The result and ease of use of this zester #ad is superior to that of using a regular cheese grater that you almost certainly have in your cupboard.
At least half your zest won't stick to the grater and you won't have to peel away a lot of white pith from the strips you do get.
A zester might be something you think is unnecessary to have but I can assure you, if you are making jam or marmalade that you want to have some zest in, the result is so much better if you use a real zester.
Why we recommend this one over others
I use my zester to various things. These zesters are also perfect for grading Parmesan. You can spice up any dish with some nice zest or cheese.
Fine strips of zest do not only add taste but also add both texture and colors to your finished jam or dish.
This one is made of stainless steel which I think is the best material, and it's of course dishwasher safe!
Recommended Jelly Strainer
A jelly strainer is perfect to use if you don’t want any seeds or kernels in your jam.
Sometimes you just want that smooth jam or marmelade and that's when having a good jelly strainer becomes an necessity!
This simple jelly strainer #ad is easy to use and gets the job done without hassle.
It has an elastic banded bag that is durable and does not stain.
Why we recommend this one over others
This jelly strainer is very durable and is perfect for not letting any of those seeds trough. Your jam or marmelade will be seedless.
You can't make a big batch at once, because of the size of the strainer, but the result will be great.
It’s easy to use and easy to wash.
The cloth can be reused again and again, if you just wash it properly.
Recommended Stainless Steel Skimmer Strainer
When the jam boils, a foam is formed which you remove with a ladle. It's called "to skim".
It's a myth that the foam contains mold spores, because the bacteria die when the jam boils.
However, foam contains air, and therefore it's good to skim when making jam.
You want to have as little air as possible in the finished jam (and in the jar) because bacteria thrives in oxygenated environments.
This is a set of three skimmers in different sizes #ad that'll help you skim like a pro!
They have long handles to protect your hands from the hot jam that might splash some.
Why we recommend this one over others
The skimmer strainer has to be made of stainless steel, in my opinion. I don’t trust plastic in the hot degrees the jam boils to. You can of course use this for other things than just skim your jam.
This skimmer is also dishwasher safe which is something that I find of great use. When you are done with your jamming, just throw the utensils in the dishwasher!
If You Want To Preserve Your Jam Longer
When your are done and you have your jars filled with delicious homemade jam, there are two ways I recommend you to choose from.
You can store the jam in your refrigerator and your jams will last for weeks, maybe even a few months.
You also have the alternative to can your jam for longer storage, up to a year. Canning means that you can keep the jams in the pantry so that they don't take up space in your refrigerator. It’s great if you do big batches.
If canning is something you like there are two products that I can recommend. It’s the pressure canner, cooker and a home canning set of tools.
Recommended Pressure Canner and Cooker
This pressure canner #ad is not that heavy and you can use it on various stoves, like glass top or gas, but NOT on an induction stove.
It also comes with a canning/cooking rack and instruction manual and a recipe book.
I recommend you use the link above for a short movie on how to use this canner. It's well made and quite informative!
Why we recommend this one over others
This is a big pressure canner and cooker that can hold many jars at the same time. Together with the tool set this works perfectly to can not only your jams, but what ever you like to can.
This is big pressure canner but it heats evenly and is easy to use.
The instructions in the manual are also easy to follow.
Recommended Canning Tool Kit
This is a 7-piece set with tools for canning #ad
This set includes a digital timer, canning funnel, combination bubble remover/lid lifter, jar lifter, jar wrench and tongs.
It’s everything you need for your canning adventure!
Why we recommend this one over others
This set is made by the same company that makes the pressure canner, so they work well together.
But it actually isn’t the brand that's important in my opinion.
I recommend this package because of it includes everything you need to start making your own delicious jam, with good quality products.
For instance, various parts are heat rubber coated which for me stands for well thought out design.
I think it’s a good kit at a fair price.
Recommended Jams and Jellies Recipes
If you want some inspiration on canning and preserving jams, I recommend this book.
It includes 30 recipes with some tips and trix #ad on how you can make the best jams and jellies!
I recommend you to adjust and fine tune the recipes to your liking.
Just make a small adjustment every time you make a jam and after a while you'll have your own jam recipe that's just perfect!
Why we recommend this one over others
This cookbook has a wide mixture of recipes that are simple to make and yummy to eat.
The author provides the right flavor and ingredients for jams and jellies.
Most of the recipes are for small batches that won’t take up a lot of space in the refrigerator and will last for a few weeks to a few months, if you don’t can them.
The recipes are really easy to follow and build upon if you want to refine them even further!
Available through Kindle Unlimited Membership Plan
This book is also available through Amazon Kindle Unlimited Membership Plan (US) together with many other books about jamming.
The Amazon Kindle Unlimited Plan is also available in the UK, click here if you wan't to know more.
Like the name suggests, with a unlimited membership plan you get unlimited access to over 1 million ebooks and thousands of audiobooks on any device!
The best part is that the first month is free. Imagine the amount and varieties of jams you'll be able to make in a month!
Good luck on your jamming adventures!
Please don't hesitate to Contact Us if you have any questions or comments about our recommendations.
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