Tips for Using Insulated Food Jars, Safely!

• Preheat or Pre-chill Your Jar. To maximise temperature retention, fill the jar with boiling or iced water for a few minutes before adding your food. This helps bring the jar to the right starting temperature and keeps your meal warm or cool for longer.
• Buy Quality. Spend that bit extra to buy food-grade jars made from quality, safety tested materials. Your safety is worth it!
• Use the Right Foods. Insulated jars are ideal for foods like soups, stews, pasta, rice, or chilled fruit. Avoid using them for raw meats or dairy that can spoil if not kept at the correct temperature consistently.
• Heat Food Properly Before Packing. Food should be piping hot (at least 74°C) before being placed in the jar. The jar is designed to maintain temperature, not bring food to a safe temperature. Likewise, cold foods should be thoroughly chilled.
• Keep the Lid Sealed, But Not Too Tight. A tight seal is important to maintain insulation, but avoid overtightening, especially with hot contents. The pressure build-up can make the lid hard to open later or cause it to pop unexpectedly (especially if the materials are inferior quality).
• Clean Thoroughly After Each Use. To prevent bacteria build-up, clean your food jar thoroughly after every use, especially around the lid and sealing areas. Most jars are hand-wash recommended unless labeled dishwasher-safe.
• Check for Wear and Tear. Over time, seals and lids can degrade. Inspect your jar regularly to make sure it’s still safe and effective. A damaged vacuum seal, for example, will compromise temperature retention.

Following these basic safety tips will keep you and the kids safe when using insulated food jars!

We have more tips and hacks for using food jars and ideas on what to put in food jars on our blog!

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