Using Tattler Lids
These are the reusable that’s, they come in a two-part, the plastic lid itself and the rubber ring. They are not FDA approved but have been used in Europe extensively. Plus in my own kitchen.
Apparently I have been doing it wrong. I called Tattler because I wanted to make sure their Lids were compatible with the All-American canner. So the lady there sent me these new directions:
Emailed Directions/New Info
REVISED (easier to follow) CANNING INSTRUCTIONS ~ WHEN USING TATTLER REUSABLE CANNING LIDS
For Best Results ~ When Using Tattler Reusable Canning Lids Follow Instructions Closely (especially #3, #5 and #7)
1. Inspect top of jar for cracks and nicks.
2. Wash, rinse and sterilize jars. Scald lids and rubber rings. Leave in water until ready to use.
3. HEAD SPACE: Follow USDA/NCHFP guidelines for proper headspace.
4. Wipe top of jar after filling. Place lid and rubber ring combination on jar.
5. Screw band on jar loosely. Center lid on jar and hold in place with finger while tightening the metal screw band finger-tip tight. To get a “feel” for the correct tightness prior to processing, place the jar on a counter top, or other smooth surface, place your index finger on the lid, not too much pressure, while tightening the metal band. Screw the metal band on until the jar begins to spin on the counter top. This is perfect for processing!!! DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!!! Product must be allowed to vent during processing.
6. Process as per instructions for various foods.
7. Once the process is completed and the jars are removed from the pressure canner or water bath wait 3-5 minutes for the bubbling to die down (this is pressure releasing from the jar) place a towel over the still hot jar (for safety) and finish tightening the metal band. Now just let the jar cool naturally, when cool remove the metal band and lift the jar slightly by the lid. It should be well sealed
8. When jars have cooled, remove metal band and determine by feel if lids are securely sealed. Gently lifting on the lid will reveal any seal failure. Sealed jars may be stored without metal bands if desired.
9. When removing lid gently insert table knife between rubber and jar to release seal — DO NOT USE SHARP KNIFE*.
10. Wash plastic lids and rubber rings, rinse, dry and store for future use. Do not save any rubber ring which is cut or deformed.
11. Reusing Rubber Rings: When reusing your rubber ring the next canning session, look to see if there are sealing grooves indented into the ring from the last time you canned. Place the side with the sealing grooves next to the rim of the jar and the smooth side next to the plastic lid. This will help prevent ‘cross threading’ and ensure a good seal.
*to open the lid, Tattler sells these cute little jar openers.
The following is just general information that I thought was useful that I found on Internet sites
LIQUID LOSS:
Bringing the canner temperature up in increments instead of just setting a burner on high all at once seems to help. The canner water temp and the temp inside the jar need to rise as close together as possible to avoid siphoning. Just setting the burner on high will rapidly increase the temp inside the canner but the jars will reach that temp a bit slower which can be a negative factor. The same goes for decreasing the temp at the end of the cycle. Instead of simply turning the burner off bring it down a bit slowly to let the jar temp decrease along with the canner stabilizing the jar temp instead of a rapid differential.
USING TATTLER LIDS
Tip from a user on developing a ‘feel’ for the pre-process tightening.
Tattler Lids do require a bit of variation from conventional metal lids. Being a two piece combination with a rubber gasket ring Tattler lids must remain a bit loose during processing in order for the vessel to vent pressure building during processing. An online customer gave us a tip that is as good, or better, than anything we offered. To get a “feel” for the correct tightness prior to processing, place the jar on a counter top, or other smooth surface, place your index finger on the lid, not too much pressure, while tightening the metal band. Screw the metal band on until the jar begins to spin on the counter top. This is perfect for processing. Once the process is completed and the jars are removed from the pressure cooker etc., place a towel over the still hot jar, for safety, and finish tightening the metal band. Now just let the jar cool naturally, when cool remove the metal band and lift the jar slightly by the lid. It should be well sealed. We have test product canned in 1990 still securely sealed. If you are unsure of anything or have further questions feel free to contact us. We want you to enjoy this product as have thousands of others. re: liquid loss. We have found that following the Pressure canner manufactures recommendation of letting a steady stream of steam escape for a full 10 minutes before placing pressure regulator on, may also help prevent liquid loss.
Tattler Info:
Brad Stieg, maker of the lids, says, “Effectively, what you’re trying to do is ensure that you’ve got contact with the metal band and the lid and it’s just starting to compress that gasket slightly. If you can visualize it, it’s just enough so that when you put it into a water bath for example, it’s compressed enough that no water flows in but it’s not so tightly compressed that as pressure builds, it does not release properly.” So you do in fact tighten the ring bands just as you would for metal lids.
After about ten uses, [the gasket] is just not going to regain in shape and will need to be replaced…..but you can effectively expect 10 uses out of those rubber gaskets before you have to replace them. Steig said in an interview at the October 2011 Self-Reliance Expo held in Salt Lake City, Utah, that he tells people they can expect 10 to 15 uses from the red rubber gasket — though the gaskets may last less long with pressure canning He goes on to say that the white disc part of the lids will last forever, until actually physically damaged somehow.
We experience a 10% higher failure rate with Tattlers versus traditional lids.
Thanks for that info. And, ping :)
I was curious about the Tattlers and your canner.
Given the life expectancy of the tattlers, is it still cost effective, compared to traditional metal lids?
Thanks and thanks for this thread.
(Off topic….did you end up purchasing an electric wheat grinder? If so, which one? Thx)