12 Steps to Canning Apricots

Step 3, Bring Lids to a Boil

Before you begin to halve the apricots, bring lids to a boil. After boiling just keep them in the water. One hint, as you place the lids in the small pan, alternate the lids with the tops and bottoms in opposite directions. Otherwise they will stick together just as you need them quickly. We prefer to use the Ball lids but have used other brands. We like the Ball because of their dome that pops up with an audible bang when it seals.     Some recommend not boiling lids but to bring them to 190 degrees. I think that is difficult to get them to that temperature and bring to boiling rather than test the temperature to 190 degrees. We have never had any trouble with boiling. Don't boil them, for a long time just bring to boiling and take them off of the stove. This step just sterilizes the lids.