Ball Jar Lid Lifespan

[mycroftholmes]

I have read about people storing tobacco safely for 10 years plus in Ball jars but on the product description it states: "Suretight lid keeps food fresh for up to 18 months." So how long will the seal last on Ball jar lids?

 

[BarrelProof]

I think quite a bit longer. The assumption from the lid statement is that you’re canning moist food and it’s a vacuum seal. Those aren’t necessarily concerns for tobacco cellaring, although some folks will vacuum seal the jar lid for tobacco. Regardless, it’s going to last a lot longer given the nature of what’s being stored.

 

[musicman]

I've only been in this hobby for the past two years, so I don't have many jars that have been closed much longer than 18 months, but I'm sure others on this forum have tobacco in jars that has been there for a decade or more, and it's stayed fresh the entire time.

My one experience was that I recently opened a jar of FVF from 2014 that I'd bought from a forum member. It popped something fierce when I opened it, spraying tobacco dust everywhere, but also indicating that the jar had held its seal the entire time and the aging process had proceeded as expected.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

"Suretight lid keeps food fresh for up to 18 months."

If we are talking food, then yeh! Toss the contents every year and a half. But, tobacco is dry and the worst that can happen is that it molds. But, you can see that if it happens. You can't see botulism in a tomato sauce.

 

[J.GANDY]

Agreed with Barrel proof ball jars and lids are designed for preserving food, pickles, jams and the like. Most of which have high acid content. Not really the same concern with tobacco. The rubber seal on the jars should not deteriorate under dry conditions for quite a long time.

Sometimes the lid ring will loosen if not stored at a consistent temperature. Good practice to just check for tightness periodically.

 

[ashdigger]

I personally have jars from 2012. No problems with any of them. As a matter of fact I opened a 2013 jar and it almost took a church key to get the damn lid off.

 

[J.GANDY]

I personally have jars from 2012. No problems with any of them. As a matter of fact I opened a 2013 jar and it almost took a church key to get the damn lid off.

? Yes they will will create their own seal.

 

[rajangan]

They are super cheap. I've had old ones where the gasket appears and feels dry. This tends to be used ones that haven't been used in a while. I just recycle them.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Oh, yeh... but once I've opened the jar, the lid goes straight into the trash when I am done. That is the weak point in the whole jar, but it is the cheapest part to replace. We can all of our own foods, so I buy them by the gross in the Spring.

 

[ashdigger]

I don’t know if I’m the only one that noticed this but....

When I open well aged jars of Virginia flake the lid is on with a death grip and the flake just sits there....

When I open a jar of cut baccy, like Squadron Leader, the lid is appropriately secure, but I have to be careful or I get a tobacco shower.

 

[mikestanley]

I have opened sealed jars from 2008 this year. No problems. Some tobacco was drier, some, extremely moist.

Mike S.

 

[FurCoat]

If I intend to jar tobacco for a long time, I heat up the lid in the sun or with a blow dryer to create a better seal. My grandfather would put lids in hot water before canning vegetables, so I kind of do the same, just not with water of course. Cosmic should appreciate that.

 

[larryspencer]

My oldest jar; MM 965 from 2001 and it still retains the seal.