Potting the Marmalade

Jars and lids for potting the marmalade must be thoroughly clean and sterile. I wash these in hot soapy water first, ensuring that old labels are removed as far as possible. Rinse them well in hot running water and set aside, upturned, to drain naturally. Avoid drying with a kitchen tea towel, which can never be completely germ-free. It is not essential, but I then put the jars through a sterilising cycle in the dishwasher, allowing them to dry there too. They are then laid on the oven shelves, on a low temperature (50°C/ 130°F/lowest gas) to keep warm, dry and clean. Lift the jars from the oven with a clean cloth immediately before filling with marmalade, right up to the neck of the jar. Be sure to prepare your jars before starting to make the marmalade!