Sterilization of jars in an air fryer: how to properly sterilize jars with blanks and empty ones in an air fryer

The difficult situation in the economy and many other factors have led to the fact that many residents of our country began to intensively engage in gardening and resolve the issue of preserving the harvest. This issue can only be resolved in one way - conservation. Exactly as our mothers and grandmothers did. But in addition to the harvested crop, the quality of the container in which the canning will be carried out plays an important, if not the main role. It must be perfectly clean and disinfected. Otherwise, all the work involved in caring for the harvest and completing the preparations will be in vain.

Basic rules for sterilizing jars in an air fryer

The jars must be washed and inspected for damage (chips, cracks, etc.). Containers must be in perfect condition. Any doubt about integrity is a reason to put it aside. Equally important is the quality of the lids. That is, they must be processed. It is advisable to use new covers.

There are many ways to sterilize canning containers. And as ancient as steamed, and, of course, more advanced, for example, using an air fryer. To know the basic rules of sterilization, you need to understand what an air fryer is, as well as the principles of its operation.

What is an air fryer

This is a convection oven and its main purpose is to cook food using a stream of heated air. But as it turned out, this device is quite universal. You can cook casseroles and shish kebab in it, it is used for cooking soups, compotes and much more. In addition to the above operations, this kitchen appliance can be used for canning fresh food for the winter. Let's talk about this in more detail.

ON A NOTE! SOME MODELS OF THIS HOME KITCHEN EQUIPMENT HAVE A STERILIZATION MODE ALREADY SET ON THE CONTROL PANEL AND THIS MAKES THE PROCESS OF SETTING THE DEVICE SIGNIFICANTLY EASIER FOR THIS OPERATION.

How the air fryer works

The basis of the operation of this kitchen appliance is the movement of hot air inside a closed volume . It should be noted that this method is quite acceptable for processing canning containers. Yes, of course, sterilizing jars using an air fryer is not the only way to sterilize containers, but perhaps the simplest and most effective.

Air fryer, principle of operation

People have long noticed that convection produces amazing results. Today, the best ovens (and ovens), the NoFrost option in refrigerators, and air fryers function in a similar way. At first glance, there is nothing in common between household appliances, except for the similarity in the use of the phenomenon of convection. It is envisaged to have special fans that create a directed flow:

in refrigerators the evaporator is blown;
heating elements are blown in oven cabinets;
in convection ovens the lamp (or heating element) is blown through.

Gas ovens do not have convection and are considered a backward option today. The gas control function against flame extinction becomes important. A gas oven with convection is a chance to fly into the air; not all manufacturers take responsibility, trying to make safe equipment. By the way, an oven differs from an oven in that it is part of a stove. The oven is built into the furniture and is not equipped with a hob.

There were some nuances. Electric oven grill Zanussi ZLB 331. The heating element is blown. What is special about the grill is that it must emit infrared heat from above. This way the crust on the chicken will be crispy and golden (like in an air fryer). A special grate is placed on top of the gas heater, which glows red hot and heats. In the case of an electric heater, the design is simplified. The air blowing from above leads directly to the design of the air fryer:

Aero - air.
Grill.

The result is not a standard grill, where the “sun” shines and warms, but a device that can withstand a uniform temperature throughout the volume, which will allow you to cook efficiently, including blowing with a hot breeze

Please note that we cook a number of dishes at the same time in an air fryer. This is not a simple grid division, like in a slow cooker.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Drawing up a will with conditions in the Russian Federation

Finally, the appearance of the air fryer resembles a large multicooker - a cylindrical device with a massive lid. The control panel is often located on the cover, the massiveness of which protects the electronics from the constant vibration of the fan. The outer walls of the case are often transparent. Glass is an inert material, a convection oven is a harmless device. The transparency of the walls will allow you to observe how the food is prepared.

What is needed to sterilize empty jars in an air fryer?

In order to sterilize empty containers in an air fryer you need to:

First of all, select whole jars.
Then they need to be washed.
Once they are ready, they can be placed on the bottom of the air fryer container. They are installed tightly, but with a small gap.

If the loading container allows you to simultaneously process several glass jars, then you can close it and put it into operating mode.

Safety rules for sterilizing jars in an air fryer

Glassware should easily withstand the effects of elevated temperatures and heated steam, but still, during operation, it makes sense to periodically check the state of affairs in the air fryer container. Some dishes may have microcracks that are invisible to the eye, and they can lead to the fact that, under rather harsh sterilization conditions, the jar may crack.

After the timer has turned off the air fryer, you need to take them out with extreme caution, they are very hot. To do this you need to use forceps.

How to install jars correctly

Before installing them on the bottom of the air fryer container, place the lowest grill included in the delivery kit. Empty vessels are placed on top of it. In principle, you can install as many of them as will fit into the container, but a gap must be left between them.

How long does it take to sterilize empty jars in an air fryer?

In particular, the fan rotation speed should be set at a medium level, the air heating should be in the range from +120 to +180 degrees.

To achieve the maximum effect, vessels with a capacity of less than one liter should be processed for about 9–10 minutes. Vessels of larger volume should be processed for at least fifteen minutes.

If you increase the temperature to +200 to +240 degrees, the processing time can be halved. But at the same time, it is necessary to pour a two-centimeter layer of water onto the bottom of the air fryer container.

IMPORTANT! IN THIS MODE, YOU CANNOT PROCESS THE LIDS AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE JARS, THIS CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE RUBBER SEALING GASKETS.

Methods of sterilization in a gas oven

It is not necessary to use an electric oven to sterilize glassware. Gas is also suitable for these purposes; the efficiency of getting rid of germs will be just as high.

Step-by-step instructions on how to sterilize jars in the oven:

Wash whole, undamaged containers thoroughly, rinse under running water, and place bottom up on a clean towel or napkin.
It is also advisable to wash the oven to get rid of foreign odors. Instead of detergent and other household chemicals, it is better to use a weak vinegar solution.
Place the jars on a wire rack in a cold oven: wet ones with the neck up, dry ones down.
Next, the oven should heat up, but very slowly. If you immediately set the maximum temperature, the container may burst. For sterilization of jars to be successful, you will need to bring the temperature to 150 degrees.
After completing the process, turn off the oven, but do not remove the jars for another 5-10 minutes. This is done to avoid sudden temperature changes.
The container is removed from the cooled oven and placed upside down on a clean, dry towel.

The sterilization process is considered complete when the glass on the jar becomes completely dry. Experienced housewives determine this moment even with the oven door closed. But it is better to set a timer so that sterilization lasts for the required period of time.

Empty containers

Empty jars are treated under high temperature immediately before storing products for preservation. There is no point in sterilizing glass containers in advance, since bacteria will get inside even in a short time, and the canned products will be spoiled.

How the process of sterilizing empty dishes occurs: prepared jars are placed on a wire rack. The oven is slowly heated to a temperature of 150 degrees. Then you need to let the jars stand for 5-10 minutes.

Place the jars on the wire rack

Heat the oven to 150 degrees and leave the jars for 5-10 minutes

With lids

Sometimes you can sterilize jars and lids at the same time. To do this, you must strictly adhere to all the rules so that the processing process is successful. You need to keep the container in the oven for the allotted time. If empty containers are being cleaned, the lids can be sterilized by placing them on a wire rack.

Only metal lids with threads without rubber bands are sterilized. The rest should not be put into the oven; it is better to keep them in boiling water for 10 minutes and then dry them on a clean towel. You cannot put a jar of food in the oven for processing that has already been rolled up before. The rubber inside the lid may melt under the influence of high temperatures, and the seal of the container will be broken.

Only metal lids with threads without rubber bands can be sterilized.

With products

In gas ovens you can sterilize containers that are already filled with canned vegetables, meat, fish or mushrooms. Empty containers still need to be steamed first.

The jar of food is placed in a cold oven.
The temperature is set to 120–150 degrees.
The duration of treatment will depend on the volume and uniformity of heating. Typically the process takes from 10 minutes to half an hour, then the oven turns off.
The jars are left inside for another 10 minutes. In this case, open the oven door slightly. When the container has cooled slightly, carefully remove it, roll it up and turn it over.

You need to remove the jars with both hands using oven mitts. Firstly, the container will not slip out, and secondly, this will help avoid burns.

The time for sterilization of cans of products depends on the volume of the container

How to properly sterilize jars with preparations in an air fryer

What's so good about an air fryer? It is good because you can not only sterilize it, but also make preparations. It must be said right away that this process is much simpler and more comfortable than fiddling with the stove within the confines of a city kitchen. What is needed for this?

Installing cans of food in the air fryer

The lowest grill is installed at the bottom of the air fryer container. Then vessels filled with products ready for preservation are placed on top. They can be installed tightly, but with a small gap between them.

Time to sterilize workpieces in an air fryer

To make workpieces, you can use the following temperature chart:

Set the maximum temperature to 240–260 degrees for 10 minutes.
After the specified time has elapsed. Set the temperature to 140–160 degrees for the same time.
After the signal about the end of work is triggered, in compliance with all precautions, the treated cans are removed from the air fryer container and rolled up with previously sterilized lids.
The canned food is ready.

In fact, there are many models of convection ovens (air grills) on the home kitchen equipment market, and each of them has its own subtleties in operating. Therefore, let us consider working with the Hotter grill as an example.

Air fryer, principle of operation

in refrigerators the evaporator is blown;
heating elements are blown in oven cabinets;
in convection ovens the lamp (or heating element) is blown through.

Aero - air.
Grill.

Please note that we cook a number of dishes at the same time in an air fryer. This is not a simple grid division, like in a slow cooker.

Experienced chefs place 3-5 pots in the air fryer, each containing a separate recipe. The main thing is that the smells do not mix. Here the result depends on the skill of the cook and the ability to use the air grill.

Most convection ovens use a halogen lamp rather than a coil. Similar to the lamps in infrared heaters. No need to worry, the components are carefully hidden behind heat-resistant quartz glass. The coil heats up inside, the gas filler prevents combustion and equalizes the pressure with the outside air. If you create a vacuum in a halogen lamp, it will become fragile under the pressure of the atmosphere. In addition, the gas prevents nichrome atoms (the material of the spiral) from leaving the surface. This increases the service life of the air fryer.

The lamp is often round in shape (ring), encircling the container. The heating element is located under the cover, where the fan is

Please note that you should not suddenly open the air fryer after finishing cooking the dish.

Sterilization of blanks and empty cans in the popular HOTTER convection oven

In the same way as with other processing methods, vessels and lids must be washed and checked for various defects. After this, place the empty cans in the HOTTER hx 1037 convection oven, placing them on the small wire rack.

It can simultaneously process several cans of different capacities. After this, you can turn on the air fryer in operating mode. Sterilization lasts 15 minutes at a temperature of 150 degrees. Once finished, they are ready to be rolled in the traditional way.

IMPORTANT! YOU CAN PROCESS EMPTY JARS OR YOU CAN ALSO WITH WATER. IN THIS CASE THEY WILL BE PROCESSED WITH HEATED STEAM.

The HOTTER hx 1037 can also process jars filled with products ready for canning.

To process filled cans, you need to do the following manipulations.

Fill clean vessels with food, add brine or syrup, it depends on what will be preserved. You need to pour it down the neck.
Place lids on them, but do not roll them up. If rubber sealing gaskets are installed on them, the processing temperature should not exceed 180 degrees.
The ventilation rotation speed is set at an average level. If you want to sterilize at a higher temperature, you will need to remove the seals from the lids and then you can set the desired temperature.
As soon as air bubbles become noticeable, this means that the process has begun.
After the set time has elapsed, the timer will work and after that, with all precautions, remove the cans from the air fryer and roll up in the usual way.
Once the process is complete, you will need to remove the jars from the air fryer and seal them as usual.

IMPORTANT! PROCESSING TIME IN THE AEROGRIER IS 30% SHORTER THAN PROCESSING BY TRADITIONAL METHODS.

The quality of sterilization in an air fryer is significantly higher than using traditional methods.

Operating principle of the device

The air grill combines the functions of several kitchen items. It easily “gets along” with: stove, toaster, oven, deep fryer, microwave, grill, toaster. Jars in an air fryer are sterilized much faster than other methods. Ultimately, the housewife saves time by about 45%. For example, preparing jam on a gas stove will take about 45 minutes, but with this device this time range is reduced to 30 minutes. It’s also easy, here you can marinate tomatoes, cook compote and eggplant caviar.

The temperature at which water begins to boil is 140 °C, while the device begins to operate at a temperature of at least 160 °C.

An important point is that before installing the container in the convection oven, you must first remove the rubber band from the lid, this is necessary so that it does not melt. It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that the higher the degrees, the less time you will spend on sterilization.

Tips on how to best sterilize jars in an air fryer

There are several subtleties that make sense to consider when sterilizing empty jars.

You can pour a little water into the bottom of the jars. This measure will improve the quality of sterilization of empty dishes. Since it will undergo additional steam treatment.
If the height of the air fryer container is not sufficient to install cans, then you can install additional rings on it, which will increase the volume of the container.
If the processing of cans is carried out at a temperature within 150 degrees, then in order to save time, the lids intended for rolling canned food can also be processed simultaneously with the cans.

A few words in conclusion. There are several methods of sterilization, but the described method has certain advantages.

Firstly, there is no need to use additional auxiliary containers in the form of basins, pans, etc.
Secondly, this operation will require much less time, since the preparation of the dishes and the preparation are carried out almost simultaneously.
Thirdly, during the sterilization the owner is freed from a number of tedious operations, which, by the way, are not always safe. She just install the dishes and turn on the device.

In other words, the presence of such equipment in the house will allow you to complete the work quickly and efficiently. And anyone who has tried this miracle technique at least once is unlikely to roll canned food in the old way.

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