Canning Applesauce -- 22 Steps

Step 15, Boil Jars

Because we will hot pack our applesauce, we need to boil our jars before we fill them. We put the bottom-side down in pan with about an inch of water on slow heat. You need to do two things here. First, you need to sterilize the jars and secondly, you want the jars hot as you put the boiling applesauce into the jar. This will prevent the jar from breaking. You never want to put boiling liquid into a cold jar. I put them on a slow heat as I work to prepare the fruit. Watch to make sure you don't run dry in the pan. Sometimes the water will be drawn up into the jars and leave the pan dry. Simply tip or lift the jar to let the water out. Leave them in the water until needed.