Paraffin Sealing

Break the paraffin wax into small pieces, or use white, unscented household candles. Melt the paraffin wax over a very low heat or in a water bath. Pour a thin layer of tepid paraffin over the hot preserve; if the paraffin itself is too hot, it will shrink away from the sides of the jars when it cools. Prick any air bubbles that appear in the paraffin before they have time to set and burst the seal. When the first layer has hardened, repeat the process until the seal is ⅛ in/3 mm thick. As the paraffin seal cools, it sets hard, becoming opaque and slightly sunken in the center.