13 Steps to Canning Relish

Step 13, Let Jars Cool and Seal

We place paper towels on the counter top and then thick newspapers to set the jars on. After they cool we check the seal, remove the rings and wash the jars in warm soapy water. This gets any sugar off the jars to stop ant activity. We remove the rings to store them because if you don't the rings will be very difficult to get off later. When we use the item we put the ring on after it is opened. We try to can enough for about 2-3 years. Things will keep to 5-6 years with no problems. Always check seal when you open. Never use anything that is not sealed when you open them. Also check for smell when opening. Rarely do we have problems. Perhaps we have had 1-2 failures in the thousands we have canned.