Preserving equipment

I thought I'd get some new discs for my Kilner jars, as the rhubarb is looking lush, and is crying out to be bottled. As we're on school holiday and have been to The Big Shops I tried a few department stores which stock preserving equipment, but was told that 'We only do the jars'. I explained twice that it was no good selling just the jars, because no-one wants to replace all their jars every year, but in both places was told that they had discontinued them 'because of lack of space'. I didn't disgrace myself by arguing (although I could have suggested a few bits of tat which could have been 'discontinued to make space') but it shows what happens when stock control is organised by people who don't know how to use the stock they're controlling!!
I ended up at the local independent hardware shop, where I should have looked first, and got them.

I did lose my cool in a supermarket a couple of years ago when I couldn't get big bottles of vinegar in the middle of October. I was told that they had to make room for Christmas stock!

I know of a couple of local shops that I would probably have tried - but actually I would have looked online first. It's how I got a new sealing gasket for my 38 year old pressure cooker.

The trouble with my preserving jars is that I have Kilner jars from I think every era that they were ever made. They all have different seals.

I'm glad you're having another go Dandelion. Sounds like the first lot was successful if you're going to do it again. Apples and pears are good too, and blackcurrants

freebird wrote:I know of a couple of local shops that I would probably have tried - but actually I would have looked online first. It's how I got a new sealing gasket for my 38 year old pressure cooker.

That's phenominal! My first pressure cooker got to 33 years old and was so bashed and dented that I retired it (well, put it at the back of the space under the stairs to use as an emergency big pan if needed!). DD1 bought me a new stainless steel one a couple of years ago, which I have had trouble with ever since. It never seemed to come up to pressure. I replaced all the spare parts, to no avail. Then this week I decided to give it another go and discovered that on the new design the weight has to click down rather than just rest in the vent as the old one did. Result! Leek and carrot soup in ten minutes with the veg properly soft!!