[ladytoysdream]

Well I used the old stuff for the strawberry batch. I put in a box of strawberry jello, just in case. And it gives a better flavor ...been there, done that
I am pretty sure it set up. The pectin looked fine. Been in dry storage, etc. And the jam tastes good. I scraped the pot before it went into the wash pan
I made the red raspberry batch with expired sure jell also....
this one was better though...March of 2012. Time either gets away from me, or I buy too much of stuff. Not sure anymore. Note to self...check expiration dates more often.
I pulled out 2 quarts of grape juice canned from 2 years ago. Plan is to strain the grapes out, and make jelly from the juice. I do not add sugar when I make juice, so no problem adding the correct amount of sugar for the jelly recipe I also have a box of grape jello ready to go in that batch , just in case.

Well the water bath is now bubbling good, so waiting on the 20 minutes to process those 12 jars from the 2 batches. I used those tall slender ones with the quilted sides. I just measured one and it holds 1.5 cups of water. So 2 nice yields.

Well I need to make supper and I guess I should make a batch or two of the grape. Sounds like a plan

Last year, when I made a batch of grape jelly, it did not set up correctly. So I made a second batch, and on purpose , made it thicker. Opened the first group of jars, and added it to the second batch, heated it up, and then reprocessed it.
It worked...saved that batch of runny jelly.

 

[ladytoysdream]

Nice to see a old thread surface

I am getting ready to make jam again. Not sure how much , but probably at least 60 pints. Then I won't have to make it again for awhile. We just turned our outside wood boiler on for the winter yesterday. It also heats our hot water in the winter. So I can use all the hot water I need to , and not worry about the electric bill.
Plan is to make strawberry, red raspberry, blueberry, grape, rhubarb, black raspberry ( blackcaps), and some apple jelly. I freeze during the summer and then come fall, I have the berries ready to work with. I stocked up on sugar recently. I did buy some bulk pection to try. $ 2.99 and it is enough for 3 batches. I also have some I paid .99 for 1 box/batch. No sense paying Walmart $ 2.99 for a box to make 1 batch. And if I run out, I know I still have some expired pectin I can use
I also got some jello yesterday as backup plan. I thought 50 cents a box was a good price. Raspberry, blackberry and strawberry flavors.