Re-Usable Tattler canning lids. I had no idea re-usable canning lids even existed until about a year ago. I love being able to can food at home. Re-using Mason jars every year and growing our own food makes canning almost free. Except for the lids.
The lids aren't hugely expensive. If I can get them on sale, they usually equal out to about $.30 a lid. Pretty good for organic jars of food, but if I could re-use the lids, too... you know where this frugal Mamma's mind is going. Note: regular canning lids are not re-usable.
When I first started looking at the Tattler lids *affiliate link I was a bit hesitant. One, the reviews on Amazon are about thirty percent saying they aren't sealing. Two, the price is higher than the regular lids at $10.67 for 12 lids and rubber gaskets. But, if you reuse them three times, then they're the same price, and if you reuse them more than that, well, ya get the picture, they get to be quite cost efficient.
One of the big draws for me on Tattler lids is in a preparedness situation, or if the stores go down, I'll still be able to can my food at home. No worrying about getting new lids every season.
But I had to see how I liked them first. Last fall, Tattler had a really good sale and I purchased three boxes of lids to test them out. I decided to test them out on jam, because if they didn't seal, I could put the jars in the freezer for freezer jam with no problem. Can you tell I was expecting them to fail?
I used them on my Low Sugar No Pectin Blueberry Jam.
First step, scald the lids and rubber rings in a pot of water.
Fill your jars with food, wipe rim clean, and then place the rubber gasket on the rim of the jar.
Place the Tattler lid on top of the rubber gasket. They snug right into place.
You use the same metal rings you use with regular canning lids. Screw the lids into place until they're just tight. Then, turn the rings back a ¼ inch. This is the most important part. You don't tighten them like regular lids. I believe this is where most of the failed seals come from.
Place them in your canner and process like normal. Remove the jars from the canner and place on a folded up kitchen towel.
Now immediately tighten the rings down. I have to tell you, I didn't read this part until 3 hours after I'd removed my jars from the canner to the counter.... So immediately for me was 3 hours later. I was really nervous I'd ruined the seal on all the jars, but I waited until the jars were cooled to test the seal. Have I ever mentioned how horrible I am at waiting?
One of the disconcerting things for me was no ping of the lid. I used one regular lid in the run as a control.
To test the jars, you lift the jar from the lid a few inches. If the lid stays put, you've got a seal. If not, you're eating the food immediately, tossing it in the fridge, or freezer.
My pulse jumped when I lifted the jar. After all, I'd kind of missed the last part of the instructions... But every jar sealed. Every one!
Do re-usable Tattler canning lids really work? Yes, they do. If you follow the instructions, or most of them, in my case.
Will I be replacing all of my lids? As money allows I'll slowly build up a larger inventory of Tattler lids. I want to see how long I can re-use each lid and jar before investing a lot of money and replacing my whole inventory with them. I do like that they are BPA free.
Looking for more preserving and canning recipes? I've got ya covered with these canning recipes.
Have you ever used Tattler canning lids? What's been your experience?
Join us as we share different reasons and methods of how we preserve food to create a long-term storage plan for our families. Click on each link to be taken to a new blog with helpful information and tips.
Mom with a PREP - How to Dehydrate Ginger and Make Ginger Powder
Preparedness Mama - Make Jam Without Pectin
Mama Kautz - Dehydrating
Busy B Homemaker - Freezer Jam
Ed That Matters - Anyone Can Do It: Fool Proof Food Storage
The Apartment Prepper - Easy Marinated Mushrooms
The Homesteading Hippy - How to Use Your Pressure Canner
Montana Homesteader - Making and Preserving Cherry Pit Syrup
Are We Crazy or What - How to Dehydrate Cherries
Your Thrive Life - How I Preserve Food: Meals in a Jar
Melissa K Norris - Re-Usable Canning Tattler Lids-Do They Really Work?
Real Food Living - Preserve and Store Grains wiith Dry Ice
Cooke's Frontier - Smoking
Homestead Dreamer - Water Bath Canning
Evergrowing Farm - How to Preserve Red Chile
Survival Sherpa - Modern Mountain Man MRE's
The Backyard Pioneer - Fermentation
Trayer Wilderness - How We Preserve Food
Living Life in Rural Iowa - Vegetable Soup
The Organic Prepper - How to Make Jam without using added Pectin
Homesteading Mom - How I Preserve Broccoli and Goat Cheese Soup
A Matter of Preparedness - How I Preserve Using Mylar Bags
This post is featured on the Prairie Homestead Blog Hop.
Lelia Mackall
I have used Tattler reusable lids since 1991 with great success. Once in awhile one may fail, but on reuse of the lid has been successful.
Esther Schlittenhart
So I just tried my first batch of applesauce with these lids. My first problem was that I had 3 lids not stay on in the waterbath. One of them stayed on enough to not lose the applesauce out of it.... the other 2 - just a mess. So I a assuming that maybe because they weren't actually screwed tight enough?
I sure hope I can get used to these... definitely a learning curse
Judy Davis
Ok...this is a similar process to the lids my mother used to use back in the ‘50’s. I assume you remove the rings after the jars have cooled? And then how do you remove the lid/rubbers...same as metal lids? I didn’t think ahead with the pandemic and ran out of lids this year...don’t want that to happen again. Thanks for your help
Melissa Norris
Yes, remove the bands and to open I use a butter knife right under the edge of the rubber and lift up to break
Lita Phillips
I just wanted to let you know that HeidiRainCountry burned herself badly using these lids and said that two others had told her that they were burned also. I'm just saying this as a precaution and I don't know all the details. You might want to warn people or ask the company to explore the dangers. Thank you. https://www.facebook.com/heidi.raincountry?__tn__=CH-R&eid=ARCLO86tAzQjsv2V6k_es8-WALwDCWyPWMTTJlGSq1V4B_pKxCwED50s88gsGX10iubGH5wLifJCsxHs&hc_ref=ARTti0T3T2oZJBz2sX6T2j-R9f5VLQVwrA5roKtpVNRClPP-3acMIIAQCHzfj_27B9c&fref=nf&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCXCClt8Om72_dnjgUX7-Ibov0vTT4Yfh2pPzi7yb-bHUnyxVFVRTxhJT07LNVj7ah2oVeLXPO6acMYcwLbZ7zeo-S884aowfVTeHcWWAEgHLuFsuqrykdSEZwfbJZNnvm37VS1P9WfsjKHOS7KQnercGoHRs4x4Urdes5ftzcoSd_Rs9LtyiZwX79eOmQ2dM_OHMXiOtODTpYuyoSiKV4t1IE_w3L_t8HLttk6moE7nRVxPKXGbhXqjJtQqPYr6vJLntnIwegN06WHvF_KlEG7OIp0uesOjDGyLQ6C0YKIHWXKmedvemTCqEv0ABwEDbbCQ4s2SHMFcgeEb7f1w9Ms7rcjTwgYapIlcXjiP6h_m3XmPAi88lo9TQ
Char
I just tried Tattler lids for the 1st time and I really like them. All of mine have sealed and have stayed sealed. I followed the directions to the “T.” I hope they all stay sealed. I keep checking them every week. I heard one lady say all of hers sealed and came open at 6 weeks. I have had mine canned for 4 weeks, so keep checking them for now. I check all my other jars (Ball lids) every month and everything is staying sealed. I bought 400 Tattler lids because I have heard good reviews about them. I am confident that if we follow the directions to the letter, that they will stay sealed. Good Luck!
Softballumpire
I live alone in a Motorhome and have been using Tattler lids periodically over the past two years. I appreciate the convenience of having them on hand. One of the e-mail suggestions I received from another Tattler customer was to tighten them on the counter or a towel until the jar starts to rotate from the friction. Some jars I had tightened too tight, did display some bulging but the seal integrity was intact.
I did discover that the lids are not impervious to Muratic Acid. Most would not have such exposure unless your canning was stored in a root cellar that needed serious cleaning, as Muratic acid is used to clean white washed walls, concrete, pumice block or brick before application of another covering, even latex paint of new white wash. You should be removing full jars anyway.
Having pressure canned with the old glass lid canning jars, the same care for used rubbers is probably best. The light coating of olive oil and storing in a zip-lock baggie does reduce deterioration from UV light and oxygen. I think I would advise not using a dishwasher to dry them would also extend their life.
Deena
Well I've been using tattler lids for about 2 years now and honestly I love them.
Sometimes they can be tricky to use you definatley have to make sure not to overtighten. I do suggest buying directly off their website because if you ever have questions or problems Loren the owner is the nicest most helpful. It's nice that you can actually talk to him personally. I believe he is the one who invented them and he has great advice. My biggest problem has been a few jars coming unsealed 6 months later or if they don't seal right away I noticed I have had problems with metal pieces in my rubber rings. They have been very good at replacing them and I now look every ring over good before using them. I have heard of people using these same lids and rings for 20 years. I would rather use tattlers and have my food be canned for years because the metal lids used to be able to be stored for years but since they make the rubber thinner now they say on the box good for 1 year and now I see they say 18months. In 2 years I believe I have preserved 900 jars of harvest and I sure want them to last longer that 1 year. I will continue to trust my canning to tattlers. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!
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Pam
I have used them off and on for awhile but have been disappointed in that at least one or two in each batch do not seal. so have been shying away from them lately.
Wendy
I bought my first two dozen tattler lids four years ago..I like everyone else was a skeptic...again like you i didn't read all the directions before starting...first round from the canner was a flop because I didn't follow the directions. Once I read and followed all of the directions I have had zero fails...I have about ten dozen mow and love them...
Helga G
I used the Tattler canning lids once (hot water bath canning)and had a 60% success. Could have been my fault by not closing them correct, maybe a little too loose.I can't decide yet if I like them or not. I'll give them one more chance and then decide if I continue using them for canning. I do love them for storing my ferments in the fridge since they don't get rusty.
Pamela Johnson
I Have used them and had some not seal. My issue is that I share a lot of my canning products and I don't want to give away the reusable lids. But keep them on hand in case I run out of the metal ones.
Melissa Norris
Pamela,
I did have one not seal on a jar of jam, so we just put it in the fridge and used it up. But, I don't give those jars out with the Tattler lids either. 🙂
Marcee
I just canned some beans yesterday in my pressure canner. 7 pints and then 7 quarts. Every single one of the them sealed just fine. I did unscrew 1/4 in and then tightened them right after I took them out of the canner. I also went back about every hour, ( 2 times total) and gave them another tightening. Sometimes, they're so hot, it's hard to tighten them the first time. I have used them for about 4 years. I found them at Bi-mart on CLEARANCE in the winter one year! They were like 1/3 off! My Bi-mart has them in stock starting in the early spring. I only use the metal lids when I can pretty things or salsa, cause those the the ones that I give as gifts (sometimes!) 😉
Melissa Norris
Thanks so much for sharing your experience Marcee. I'm buying more this year. 🙂
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Ashley C
I just started using Tattler reusable lids last year. I was bad at following the directions and had a few that didn't seal but after concentrating on not over-tightening the lids I've had great success! I haven't been keeping track of how many times I've used them yet but I do know some are at least on their second round through the canning process! I love using them but they do make it more difficult when it comes to gift-giving (I'm always worried someone is not going to return them! So I tend to send them home with family only.). Overall I'm glad I spent the money on them and look forward to using them over and over again!! In fact I'm hoping to add some more to my inventory too 🙂
MissGwenD
I purchased my Tattler lids over the winter and only used a few for stock during the holidays. Those are still sealed just great. When I started canning my garden this season I had two Tattler lids fail. The lids domed, I waited until the jars were completely cooled and removed the rings and sure enough no seal. Of course I checked the jars for chips and the gaskets for damage but it was only the domed lids, the other 22 for that day sealed fantastically. I used the same two lids the next time I canned assuming they would fail and yep, just those two out of 45 lids failed.
Also, I can use the Tattlers with my vacuum sealer for dry goods. The only one that lost its seal was when I attempted to seal a powdered item. Tattler or metal, put powdered items in a sealed plastic before vacuum sealing.
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TornadoRed
I received a dozen Tattlers for Christmas 2011. I like them, but you do have to set them up for success. The instructions are very specific and different from what we are used too. (I also miss the 'ping' of satisfaction and success.)
I read the instructions after each fail - I had mixed successes.
My big discovery was that I was screwing on the bands finger tight, but I was also holding the Jar when I screwed the lid down. The instructions state to hold the lid on to the jar (hold in place with finger on the lid as you tighten).
Another fail was a little more obvious - I didn't tighten after removing from the canner...duh.
Also, not that I would eat the product, but my stored failed jars didn't stink or look failed - no mold. The lid just came off in my hands or was bumped off while looking for other jars...
Currently I am checking the seals every now and again to see if they never sealed or the seal is releasing.
I do like them, but I will keep using the metal lids as well until I get better with the Tattlers.
Sally at Garden Valley Homestead
Thanks for the review of Tattler lids. I haven't tried them yet. But I plan to...one of these days.
Please stop by our place for a visit.
Vickie
I have been using Tattler lids almost exclusively this year and out of several dozen jars processed, only one did not seal. The water bath canning seems to be the easiest with the Tattler lids - just pull out the jars and tighten. It's the pressure canning that I have a bit of trouble with. I like to leave my jars in the canner until it is almost completely cooled down, but with Tattler lids, you can't do that. So, now I open the canner almost as soon as it reaches 0 pressure, reach in and tighten down each lid while still in the canner using hot pads to protect my fingers from burns. Then, I pull each jar out of the canner and place onto a dishtowel to prevent thermal shock. This seems to be the trick for pressure canning. I was hoping to use a permanent marker on one of my lids to number each time it was used - just to get a count of how many times the lid was used - but the permanent mark came off.
Thanks for your tutorial on how to use them. I always like to hear how others use things to get ideas of how to improve my own technique. Have a wonderful week!
Heather
We use these lids as well, and I do like them. Last year I had some trouble with sealing, but I think the big thing for me was not leaving enough head room. I notice you need to leave a bit more with these lids. I never thought about not tightening the rings as much as I normally would. Maybe I will try that too. I have only canned some strawberry jam this year so far, but everything seems to be sealing properly!
Misty
Thank you for such a fantastic review! This is so helpful!
Melissa Norris
You're so welcome! Let me know if you try the lids what you think of them.
MARTHA
I have used these lids for quite a few years now they work well, make sure you follow directions. I still use some regular canning lids due to giving away some of my stash. A lot of people don't give you the jars or lids back. So I save some of the regular canning lids for these.
Angie
I was really excited about these when I first learned of them until I saw the video of one blowing up and giving the man 3rd degree burns. If I remember correctly it was from over tightening when removing from the canner or bath. Now I'm a scaredy cat :). Did you see that video?
Melissa K. Norris
I haven't seen the video but you run the risk of any jar exploding when canning due to the hot glass meeting the cooler air temperature. I always leave my jars in the turned off water bath for 5 to 10 minutes and let the jars cool down in the pressure canner before removing them. I know many people who have used the Tattler lids for years and not had a problem. The key is to follow the directions for any equipment you're using. 🙂
Marshall
I believe that the reason for the the jar spitting out all that boiling water was because he tightened them too much when they were placed into the canner. ("Then, turn the rings back a 1/4 inch. This is the most important part.") If too tight at the beginning, there is enormous pressure being built within the jar wanting to escape. So when you go to tighten it down at the end, the little movement of the band creates an escape for all that pressure. My two cents anyhow. I have been using tattler lids now for about a year for green beans, jelly/jam, tomatoes...really anything I was doing before. Convenient and economical.
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julia wolf
Hi, just curious how have the lids held up the second and third time and how many times can you reuse them?
Melissa K. Norris
Julia,
Great question. As long as you don't nick the lids or cut the rubber gasket with a sharp knife (use a butter knife) then they should last between 12 to 16 uses on the rubber gaskets. The lids should last a long time. I know some folks who get up to 20 uses on the rubber gaskets and the replacement of just the rubber gaskets is very economical.
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