paraffin wax for canning?

[beckywild82]

My grandma loved making homemade jam and when I was younger, I always felt excited when I can bring home a jar after the holidays! Now I vaguely remember her using probably paraffin wax to seal these goodies. I was recounting this memory with my mom but she doubts this detail. If it wasn't paraffin, anyone here has a clue what could my grandma be using back then? Unfortunately, she's gone so I never had the chance to ask..

 

[LadyWhistledown]

paraffin wax

nope, paraffin wax is not recommended bcs it's not safe. to seal canning jars, create a vacuum seal using a boiling water bath or pressure canner, that's what I usually do

 

[Stellar]

That's such a sweet memory, it sounds like she could've used a sealing method like wax, but some people also use a vinegar-water syrup or even hot jelly to seal jams, it could be either

 

[Miss bezos]

she might've been using paraffin wax, but it's more common now to use lids and bands for sealing jars. Back then, wax was a real popular option to create a vacuum seal, so if you're trying to replicate that, well paraffin would still do the trick, but the modern way is always better

 

[Master Yi]

My grandma loved making homemade jam and when I was younger, I always felt excited when I can bring home a jar after the holidays! Now I vaguely remember her using probably paraffin wax to seal these goodies. I was recounting this memory with my mom but she doubts this detail. If it wasn't paraffin, anyone here has a clue what could my grandma be using back then? Unfortunately, she's gone so I never had the chance to ask..

So sorry about your grandma... I think she could be using waxed paper or lids with rubber seals? Not really sure. She could have even used vacuum seal. Does anyone in your family have a photo or some recollection that might help?

 

[mixtape4545]

It must be a paraffin wax since it was a widely accepted method for many years. especially for high sugar preserves like jams and jellies. It creates a physical barrier against air and mold. So you might be correct

 

[Amber ale]

I remember wax sealed marmalade jars.
I remember melting the wax, pouring it in the jars and picking chunks of wax out of the jam if you didn’t cut out the wax disk correctly.
Parro wax is still available in the Walmart canning section during fruit season.
So yes you remember correctly.

 

[First Here]

Be very choosy with the things you seal up using this method.

 

[Alan]

I remember my grandma sealing jams with melted wax about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Of course, it was stored in a cool pantry, and never lasted a long time as we were always eating it on her homemade biscuits.