Sealing with Paraffin Wax

This is fine for all jellies and for other sweet preserves with a fairly smooth texture—jams made from soft berries, for example. Jars (straight-sided small ones) or jelly glasses should be sterilized as described above. Remove them from the hot water with tongs, drain each one, and set them upright on a wooden surface or, if your countertop is chilly (this could cause cracking), on folded towels. Fill glasses or jars while they’re hot.

While the jelly or jam cooks, melt new paraffin (never reuse wax) in a small, lipped vessel set into a pan of simmering water. Never try to melt wax over direct heat—it can catch on fire.