Can you freeze Atlas mason jars?
In this brief guide, we’ll explore the query: “Can you freeze Atlas mason jars?” Also, we’ll explore how Atlas mason jars can be frozen, what Atlas mason jars are, and what alternatives there are to Atlas mason jars.
Can you freeze Atlas mason jars?
Yes, users can preserve food in original Atlas mason jars, and store them at subzero temperatures. These jars constitute an eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic packaging and may be reused many times over.
These quality canning jars can be used to preserve many foods and ingredients, as they were designed specifically for household canning needs.
They’re a durable alternative to reusable glass jars that come with other pre-packaged foods, as they’re made of tempered glass that can resist both high and low temperatures.
However, modern atlas jars that come with prepackaged food are not of the same quality, they are notably lighter and are coated in a layer of enamel that makes them more resistant to friction and abrasions, and chipping off this layer makes them susceptible to cracking and shattering.
Below, we’ll describe a few outlines users should follow for storing food in Atlas mason jars, and then preserving it in subzero temperatures.
How can I freeze Atlas mason jars?
To store any food product in an Atlas mason jar, these must first be sterilized. This can be done by autoclaving them (heating them in a high-pressure chamber with steam).
Once they’ve been sterilized the jars should be kept upside down over a clean surface, to avoid any particles or airborne microbes finding their way into the clean jars.
The cooked food can be carefully scooped into the sterile jars, and the jars can be covered with their respective lids, though not yet sealed. As the contents will freeze over and may expand once they’ve solidified, users should be mindful that they leave enough airspace underneath the lid, and don’t fill the jars to the brim.
A jar without enough airspace may crack or shatter once the contents (particularly, those that are liquid or submerged in a liquid) expand.
Once covered, each jar (save for the unsealed opening, of course) should then be submerged in boiling water.
These boiled jars should then be cooled to room temperature and then their lids can be tightly sealed, before being placed in the freezer.
The exact amount of time for which the jar’s contents can be preserved will depend on its nature, but properly sealed Atlas mason jars preserve stored foods’ quality and freshness, with very little loss of moisture or risk of freezer burns.
What are Atlas mason jars?
Atlas mason jars are a type of canning jar that was manufactured by the Hazel-Atlas company, which operated for 62 years, between 1902 and 1964.
Characteristically, the jars manufactured by this company had the word -Atlas- imprinted on the surface.
The company was also noted for publishing literature instructing how people could jar their food products at home, though this knowledge was limited and reflected what food scientists knew back then.
In the late 1950s, the company was acquired by the Continental Can Company and continued to operate into the early 1960s.
Modern iterations of Atlas mason jars are used to can prepackaged foods and aren’t designed to be reused, which is something users should be made aware of, and bear in mind.
What alternatives are there to Atlas mason jars?
Alternatives to Atlas mason jars include those made by brands such as Kilner, Bali, Golden Harvest, Kerr, Legacy, Orchard road, and others.
Quality mason jars are made of tempered glass, which is specially made and has air inclusions (bubbles) removed from the inside of the glass.
Glass jars that are not tempered are not ideal for canning, as the air in the bubbles within the glass may expand and contract with temperature changes, and compromise the glass’s structural integrity.
Notably, glass that isn’t tempered may shatter when it is exposed to high temperatures because the air trapped within the bubbles will increase its volume, and shatter it.
When canning foods, users should always maintain basic hygiene and carry out sterilization, as this will reduce and deactivate any microbes that may spoil canned food, cause spoilage, or even food poisoning.
We urge our readers to always follow professionally issued instructions, and follow basic safety procedures when canning food and freezing it in mason jars.
To summarize, classic Atlas mason jars can be used to preserve food products in various temperatures, and they are an environmentally friendly alternative to other receptacles such as polymers and plastic bags.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we’ve explored the query: “Can you freeze Atlas mason jars?” Also, we’ve explored how Atlas mason jars can be frozen, what Atlas mason jars are, and what alternatives there are to Atlas mason jars.
References
https://masonjars.com/can-you-freeze-mason-jars-at-a-glance-tips-for-freezing-your-food.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-poisoning
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eco-friendly-food-packaging
