Jar sizes

[Stacey Harwood]

If a recipe calls for half-pint jars, can I use the 4oz jars instead?  And if yes, do I have to make any changes in the processing time?

Also, is it OK to process jars sequentially? That is, if my canner won't hold all of the jars at once, can I process them in more than one batch?

Thanks. This is my first time making preserves and I want to get it right!

[Katie Quinn-Jacobs]

Hi Stacey,

Yes, you can use the smaller sized jars.  Theoretically, you can adjust the time down, but I'd leave it the same since water bath jam doesn't take long and the jam will come out the same.

Yes, you can process jars sequentially.  Keep the unprocessed jars as warm as you can, perhaps wrap a towel around them.

Congrats on your first foray in the realm of jamming!
-- Kate

[Stacey Harwood]

Great!  Thank you so much. Can I ask one more question?  It looks like the fish poacher that I got for $10 at a thrift store might be the perfect size for processing these smaller jars.  It has a rack (with holes in it) that the fish would be put on and the rack has feet that keeps it raised slightly off the bottom of the pan.  Is there a minimum allowable space between the rack and the bottom or does it just have to be enough so that water can circulate and so that the jars don't make contact w/the pan?

Thank you for your time. I'm grateful.