6 Best Canning Jars for Preserving Food

There’s a certain sound that marks the peak of summer—the gentle pop of a canning jar lid sealing as it cools on the counter. It’s the sound of success, of a harvest preserved. For generations, that sound has been synonymous with one name more than any other: Kerr.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Why Kerr Jars Dominate the Canning Pantry

Kerr jars earned their place on the shelf through sheer, stubborn reliability. The glass is consistently thick, able to withstand the thermal shock of a boiling water bath or the sustained heat of a pressure canner without complaint. You’re not just buying a container; you’re buying peace of mind that your hard work won’t be ruined by a manufacturing flaw.

The real genius has always been the two-piece lid system. The flat, single-use lid with its ring of sealing compound creates the actual vacuum seal, while the reusable screw band simply holds it in place during processing. This design is far superior to old-fashioned one-piece lids or bail-top jars for ensuring a safe, long-lasting seal you can audibly and visually confirm.

This isn’t about brand loyalty for its own sake. It’s about a tool that works, season after season. When you’re staring down a bushel of peaches that all ripened at once, you don’t have time to second-guess your equipment. You reach for what you know won’t fail you.

Kerr Regular Mouth Half-Pint: The Classic Choice

This is the quintessential jam jar. The 8-ounce, regular mouth jar is the workhorse of the preserving kitchen, perfectly sized for a batch of strawberry jam or a spicy pepper jelly. Its familiar shape lines up neatly on the pantry shelf, a uniform army of preserved goodness.

The slightly tapered shoulder and narrower opening serve a purpose. They help keep soft-set preserves and pickles submerged beneath the liquid, preventing discoloration. Pouring thinner jellies or sauces is also a cleaner process with the regular mouth, as it gives you more control than its wide-mouthed cousin. It’s the standard for a reason: for most classic jams and jellies, it’s the ideal design.

Kerr Wide Mouth 8 oz Jar for Easy Filling

The wide mouth jar is the problem-solver. Anyone who has tried to funnel chunky cherry preserves or whole pickled garlic cloves into a regular mouth jar knows the frustration. The wide mouth eliminates the mess, allowing you to spoon or place contents directly inside with ease.

This design shines with thick marmalades, whole fruit preserves, or even small pickled vegetables. The straight sides and wide opening also make it significantly easier to clean by hand, with no shoulder to trap stubborn bits of food. The tradeoff is a slightly larger lid, which some old-timers claim can be more finicky to seal, but modern lids have made this a non-issue for most canners. For convenience, the wide mouth is king.

Kerr Quilted Crystal Jars for Gifting Jams

When you plan to give away your precious preserves, presentation matters. The Kerr Quilted Crystal jar turns a simple gift of jam into something truly special. The faceted, quilted pattern catches the light beautifully, making the vibrant colors of your jam or jelly sparkle like a jewel.

Functionally, these are every bit as reliable as their plain-sided counterparts. They are made from the same high-quality glass and use the same standard lids, so you sacrifice nothing in terms of safety or durability. They are simply a more elegant vessel for showcasing your craft.

The one practical consideration is labeling. A traditional sticker label won’t adhere well to the textured surface. This forces a more creative approach, such as a decorative hang-tag tied with twine or a simple label on the flat lid. For many, this is part of the charm of preparing a thoughtful, handmade gift.

Kerr Smooth Sided Jars for Perfect Labeling

For the canner who values organization and information, the smooth-sided jar is the ultimate canvas. Whether you sell at a local farmers market or just maintain a meticulously organized pantry, these jars offer an uninterrupted surface for a clean, professional label. There’s no guesswork when every jar is clearly marked.

A good label is more than just "Peach Jam." It’s your record-keeping system. You can note the date, the specific fruit variety used, and whether you tweaked the recipe. This information is invaluable next season when you’re trying to replicate that one perfect batch.

This level of detail separates the hobbyist from the serious practitioner. When you can track which raspberry variety made the best-tasting jam or which batch of tomato sauce had the perfect consistency, you’re not just preserving food—you’re improving your craft year after year. The smooth jar is the tool for that job.

Vintage Blue Kerr Jars: A Nostalgic Favorite

Finding a box of old, blue-tinted Kerr jars at a yard sale feels like uncovering treasure. Their unique color, a result of sand used in the glassmaking process decades ago, is undeniably beautiful. They evoke a sense of history and connection to the canners who came before us.

However, it’s crucial to approach canning in these vintage jars with caution. Older glass can be more brittle and may not withstand the temperature changes of modern canning, posing a risk of breakage. Furthermore, the rims can have tiny, invisible nicks from years of use that will prevent a modern lid from sealing securely.

The safest approach is to use these vintage beauties for dry storage, like holding seeds, beans, or flour, where their aesthetic can be enjoyed without risk. If you choose to use them for water bath canning, do so with the understanding that you accept a higher risk of seal failure or breakage. Never use them in a pressure canner.

Modern Kerr Jars with SureTight Sealing Lids

Kerr hasn’t rested on its laurels. The brand has continued to innovate, and the development of their SureTight lids is a prime example. These modern lids feature an improved sealing compound designed to provide a stronger, more reliable seal.

The red compound is formulated to stay soft for a longer period during the canning process, allowing it to form a better vacuum as the jar cools. The company states these lids maintain their seal for up to 18 months, offering an extra layer of confidence for long-term pantry storage. This is a tangible improvement that directly addresses the primary goal of canning: safe, long-lasting food.

For the hobby farmer with limited time, this reliability is non-negotiable. When you’ve spent a whole weekend processing tomatoes, the last thing you want is a shelf full of failed seals a few weeks later. The modern Kerr system is engineered to minimize that risk, protecting your time and your harvest.

Maintaining Your Kerr Jars for Decades of Use

Your collection of Kerr jars is an investment meant to last a lifetime, not a disposable commodity. With proper care, the jars your grandmother used can be the same ones your grandchildren use. The key is mindful maintenance.

Before every single use, run your finger around the rim of the jar. You are feeling for tiny nicks or chips. Even a minuscule imperfection can compromise the seal, so any chipped jars should be retired from canning and repurposed for dry storage. Wash jars in hot, soapy water, but avoid steel wool or harsh abrasives that can scratch the glass and create weak points over time.

Proper storage is just as important. Always store your empty jars upright and without the bands screwed on. Storing them with the bands can trap moisture and cause rust, and it can create a "false seal" that makes it hard to know if a jar is truly clean. The lids and bands should be stored separately. This simple habit protects your investment and ensures your jars are ready for the next harvest.

Ultimately, the best jar is the one that lets you confidently preserve the fruits of your labor. Whether you choose the classic regular mouth for its utility, the quilted crystal for its beauty, or the modern wide mouth for its convenience, the Kerr name stands for a promise: that the freshness of the harvest can be captured, sealed, and enjoyed for months to come.