What is unique about gem lids?
What is also unique is that Gem lids are now the story of how small-town Canadian home canners stood up to the corporate bean counters at Newell (then known as Jarden) — and won. Click here if you wish to jump down straight to that story.
Can I still buy rubber lids for gem jars?
You can still buy rubber seals to use with their glass lids, OR metal lids to use with the jars, made by Bernardin: While lids for gem jars have and are expected to continue to be a very small portion of our overall product offering, Bernardin considers users of these jars in the Western provinces to be valued home canners.
Why did Alltrista stop making gem lids in Canada?
In 2002, with a new more efficient plant being built in Muncie, Indiana to handle production of Ball and Kerr lids, Alltrista / Newell corporate planners decided to close the Canadian plant and consolidate production of all lids in Muncie. They also felt that incorporating production for the middle-sized Gem lid was not worth their while:
Will Bernardin continue to sell lids for gem jars?
While lids for gem jars have and are expected to continue to be a very small portion of our overall product offering, Bernardin considers users of these jars in the Western provinces to be valued home canners.
Are Gem lids the same as wide mouth?
Gem is an in-between size that fits jars made in Canada between the very early 1900's and the mid 1960's. It is wider than a regular mouth jar, but narrower than a wide mouth jar.
Why are there no canning lids in 2021?
Stuck at home, people picked up gardening, then canning their harvest. "That led to a supply shortage of canning lids," said Suzanne Driessen, University of Minnesota Extension food safety educator. That supply and demand problem, specifically for the two-piece metal lid, simply hasn't gone away.
Why are canning lids still not available?
It all began last year when the pandemic hit in early 2020. Stuck at home, people picked up gardening, then canning their harvest. “That led to a supply shortage of canning lids,” said Suzanne Driessen, University of Minnesota Extension food safety educator.
Is there a shortage of Ball canning lids?
Is there still shortages of canning lids? Yes, there is still a canning supply shortage in 2021.
Is Ball canning going out of business?
The Ball Corporation got out of the canning business about 25 years ago. Newell Brands announced Monday that they would be closing operations at their Muncie plant and moving the production to facilities in Fishers and Ohio.
What canning lids are made in USA?
Lehman's Regular Mouth Canning Lids - 60 Count Lids for Ball, Kerr Mason Jars, Food Grade with Thick Seals, USA Made.
Is there a shortage of canning supplies?
A recent conversation with a representative from the Newell Corporation (manufacturer of Ball, Kerr, and Golden Harvest canning products), indicates they are hoping for new shipments to go out toward the end of March 2021, but in limited quantities, and production will continue through the summer of 2021.
Are Kerr and Ball the same company?
If the Kerr jars and their packaging looks eerily similar to that of Ball jars, it's because they're basically the same: Both Ball and Kerr brands are now owned and manufactured by the parent company Jarden.
Why is there a shortage of Ball and Kerr canning lids?
“Consumers staying home over the last few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in shifts in demand for food storage containers like Ball canning jars and lids,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
Why are all Mason jars out of stock?
"The demand has resulted in supply constraints, extended lead times and recently limited product availability at stores and online," a company spokesperson said in a statement, according to CNN.
Who bought out Ball canning jars?
Newell BrandsToday, the Ball brand for mason jars and home canning supplies belongs to Newell Brands.
Who bought Ball canning?
Newell BrandsToday, Newell Brands is the exclusive provider of genuine Ball® home canning products.
What is a gem jar?
Gem jars are shouldered Mason jars that came in (Imperial) pints, quarts and two-quart sizes. What is now unique about them is the mouth size on them: the mouth size of 78 mm falls in between the now-standard sizes of 70 mm (regular) and 85 mm (wide mouth). What is also unique is that Gem lids are now the story of how small-town Canadian home ...
What type of lids do jars use?
The jars were somewhat unique as well in that they worked both with the three-piece metal ring, glass lid and rubber seal system, when that was popular, but also adapted equally well to the more modern two-piece metal ring and metal lid system.
Where are Newell jars made?
The parent company, Newell, had built a new manufacturing plant in Muncie, Indiana and opted not to include the Gem lid size in the plant’s capability. They said that the Gem jar and lid market was too small to service, representing only 10% of their business in Canada.” [ref]Rogers, Diane.
Where are viceroy rings made?
They can be bought at stores such as Canadian Tire or Home Hardware. The Viceroy Company is in Weston, Ontario. The rubber rings were made in Canada but now are made in Sri Lanka.
Is it safe to keep a seal on a glass lid?
It’s not a food safety issue per se — if you get a seal and keep a seal, it’s safe. Rather, it was precisely that which was the issue. Far too many sealing failures occurred with glass lids with a lot of complaints from consumers about food loss, and in the end, the main goal of food preservation is food preservation.
Can you use a metal lid on a gem jar?
Gem jars can be used with metal lids or the original glass and rubber seal lids. Many American designs of jars also used the glass lid with rubber seal technology.
What is a gem jar?
Gem is an in-between size that fits jars made in Canada between the very early 1900's and the mid 1960's. It is wider than a regular mouth jar, but narrower than a wide mouth jar. Please use our jar size guide to make sure you're buying the right jars or accessories!
What size is a gem mouth canning ring?
Vintage gem mouth canning rings, perfect for general use or preserving with Gem jars. Use with Glass lids and rubber seals. Fits all gem mouth jars (78mm). Expect variations in color and level of distress, you can see the range of variations...
Who makes Bernardin silver mouth lids?
Sold out? Try Bernardin SILVER Gem Mouth Lids instead. Bernardin Lids are owned and manufactured by the same parent company (Newell Brands) as Ball, Kerr, and Golden Harvest. They are typically only sold in Canada, so the supply chain is...
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Product description
These replacement metal SNAP lids for mason jars seal home canned foods airtight. After heat processing and upon cooling, a vacuum is formed which seals the lids onto the jars. The lids are laquered to prevent rust and have an interior enamel coating to resist natural food acidity.
Background
In 2020, a pandemic was declared worldwide. This caused panic buying on anything that could protect from the pandemic or provide sustenance in its aftermath. And toilet paper.
Is there still shortages of canning lids?
Yes, there is still a canning supply shortage in 2021. The number of people who are learning to preserve their own food has gone up (no surprise there, way to go first time gardeners!), but the supply of new canning jars and canning lids hasn't increased nearly enough; both lead times and manufacturers' prices keep going up.
Where can I find Canning Supplies when there is a shortage?
Well, we might still have some available. We're doing our best! Check to see if we still have stock here. (If you haven't already, grab your 10% off welcome coupon here.) But let's assume we're sold out and you still need help finding mason jars or two piece lids.
Try social media
If you've tried every store and market you can think of in your search for canning lids, try reaching out online.
Is Ball still making canning lids?
As far as we are aware, without any direct contact with Ball, or their parent company, we believe Ball is producing lids as fast as possible.
Who is Bernardin?
Bernardin is a brand owned by U.S. manufacturer Newell Brands. Newell Brands is also the owner of Ball, Kerr, and Golden Harvest. You might find you prefer Ball lids, but in reality, all of these brands are the same quality.
Why is there still a shortage of canning lids in 2021?
The current lid shortage is a complex puzzle. Product availability is affected by a myriad of different issues, but to simplify why there's still a shortage of canning lids in particular, we can chalk it up to a few basic things.