Misc Canning lid cost to skyrocket?

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
More background and history of Ball canning company. Problem of supply and demand. Video claims the company wasn't prepared for the amount of demand and had to out source. That didn't work well.

The video advises to make sure they are made in USA and have a red ring not white. There also seems to be a problem with gold color lids in pressure canners rusting after canning. More explanation in video.

Fair use.
WHY Ball Canning LIDS and Jars are in SHORT Supply!
•Feb 24, 2021
Deep South Homestead
Why is the Ball lids and jars in short supply? Danny talks a little about the history of Ball company and what is causing the short supply of Ball lids and jars.
Link to source:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REkc6XVV2BI
Run time 17:24
 

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've heard reports of gold lids rusting, lids where the sealant is all over the place, lids where sealant is loose like a separate piece, etc. I've seen pictures of newly purchased boxes where every jar had a serious flaw. Etc.
People are using Mainstay lids but I tried them a few seasons ago and had them buckle on the jars. They sealed, most ofnthem, but almost every lid had a buckle/wave in the metal. I used thise jars fast and never used the lids again.
It might also help to know that Jarden sold the canning branch of business a couple of years ago. The new holder has released a lot of new recipes but was probably nowhere near prepared for the sudden increase in demand.
Lids are starting to ahow back up. The info is filtering in to canning and homesteading groups. But prices have almost doubled.
 

Jeepcats27

Senior Member
Jar lid prices are rising again.
Today I found the prices for local Ball lids had risen a dollar for a box of 12 lids. (regular and wide mouth)
Two weeks ago, they were not as expensive.
The sad thing is that they never went on sale like in other areas.
 

onmyown30

Veteran Member
I got some jars and lids a couple weeks ago on Walmart.con and they were delivered in 2 days. I don’t usually do a lot of canning but do have a garden most years. Instead of giving extras away I may start canning and dehydrating
 

Babs

Veteran Member
Just talked to Lehmans.com. They are now saying late spring maybe May on existing orders. They can't get lids and claim it's because of demand.

How hard is it to slap some rubber and adhesive on a piece of formed metal?

I have searched and searched trying to find out exactly what the compound is that they use on the lids, but I've found nothing. I wanted to add a little compound to used lids to get more cannings out of them. If anyone knows what they use on those lids, please let me know!
 

mecoastie

Veteran Member
I have searched and searched trying to find out exactly what the compound is that they use on the lids, but I've found nothing. I wanted to add a little compound to used lids to get more cannings out of them. If anyone knows what they use on those lids, please let me know!

It may be proprietary. I would also be concerned about a leak path between the new layer and original layer.
 

EYW

Veteran Member
I have searched and searched trying to find out exactly what the compound is that they use on the lids, but I've found nothing. I wanted to add a little compound to used lids to get more cannings out of them. If anyone knows what they use on those lids, please let me know!
It is controversial and I have not tried it, but I have been hearing of people taking the red rubber ring used with tattler lids and using that as a new gasket/compound with used metal lids. I've heard of it, not done it myself, but if things get desperate, might be worth experimenting with.
 

Babs

Veteran Member
It is controversial and I have not tried it, but I have been hearing of people taking the red rubber ring used with tattler lids and using that as a new gasket/compound with used metal lids. I've heard of it, not done it myself, but if things get desperate, might be worth experimenting with.

I wonder why they would use it with the metal lid, rather than the lid that comes with the rubber ring?
 

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
My original order from Lehmans.com is not going to happen. However they now have a source. An Amish man is making them regular mouth sized lids. The ladies at Lehman's claimed to have used them and they work.

There are other sources now for American lids. DH has an App that shows the origins of products I will ask him the name in the am.
 

EYW

Veteran Member
I wonder why they would use it with the metal lid, rather than the lid that comes with the rubber ring?
I imagine trying to save money by reusing the metal lid.

Or, perhaps, people are just experimenting for times of shortage. The rubber rings can be purchased separately, so I know I would be keeping an extra dozen or two on hand if I was using tattlers a lot. Tattler made a statement against doing it, but that may just be a derriere-covering move in case it goes wrong. I have seen one YouTuber that has canned pint jars using a used metal lid and a Tattler ring and she will open one every month or so to see if the food is safe, still sealed, tastes okay, etc.

Or, maybe, just because they've heard they should not do it and just want to prove they can. The human mind can work in strange ways.
 

Seeker22

Has No Life - Lives on TB
My husband has heard me complaining about no canning lids or jars. He was watching TV tonight, The Moonshiners show. They were upset that they Could not find any jars or lids for their product! They went to a general store and tried to order a pallet of jars with lids. The manager just laughed and said everyone else wants them too. The manager said he had sold 18 thousand cases of jars this year and couldn't get anymore. So it is not just us canners that can't get get their jars or lids!

I haunt Thrift for singles of jars of any size. I would imagine novice Herbalists trying to build a jar stash for the Apothecary are another group wishing they had more jars.
 
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Millwright

Knuckle Dragger
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Wallyworld had a big pile of lids & lids/rings, Ball and off brand.

Even the upper, overstock shelf was stacked up.

No quart jars tho.
 

Gardener

Senior Member
So yesterday I toured the canning lid sites: Fillmore container, Uline, Mason jar merchant, and Lehman's.

Mason Jar Merchants: free shipping
regular lids: 240 lids for $130 = .54 each
wide lids: 216 lids for $155 = .72 each

Fillmore:
regular lids: 175 lids for $73.50 = .42 each
wide lids: 288 lids for $155.52 = .54 each

Uline: shipping added a lot to Uline, 10 boxes of regular lids w/shipping +tax was $58.41
regular lids: box of 12 (Ball) for $3.95 = .33 each (.49 w/ shipping and tax)
wide lids: box of 12 (Ball) for $5.60 = .46 each

Lehman's:
regular lids: 360 lids for $84.99 = .24 each (with shipping and tax added in .29 each)
wide: unavailable currently, but 330 for $84.99 = .28 each
 

Shotsie

Contributing Member
Went to Walmart today (Central Va.). They had regular Ball canning lids for $2.97. No wide mouth lids. Shelves had a lot of Ball canning jars in different sizes but I didn’t check the prices. They had wide mouth Ball canning lids at another Walmart several weeks ago. I bought three packs but can’t remember the exact price. I’m thinking $3.47.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
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I was in Walmart Saturday. They had jars, lids and lids plus rings... all Ball brand. But I spotted a few Golden Harvest brand lids for $1.25 a box...and behind the 6 loose boxes was a flat of 24... they all came home with me! I bought a case of 9 sleeves in 2020, and I've been experimenting (very successfully!) with reusing lids, but I do a lot of canning, and even if I get to a point where the heavier garden and harvesting work has to be delegated to the younger family members, I don't forsee a time anytime soon when I won't be canning at least several hundred jars every year.

Summerthyme
 

Babs

Veteran Member
I was in Walmart Saturday. They had jars, lids and lids plus rings... all Ball brand. But I spotted a few Golden Harvest brand lids for $1.25 a box...and behind the 6 loose boxes was a flat of 24... they all came home with me! I bought a case of 9 sleeves in 2020, and I've been experimenting (very successfully!) with reusing lids, but I do a lot of canning, and even if I get to a point where the heavier garden and harvesting work has to be delegated to the younger family members, I don't forsee a time anytime soon when I won't be canning at least several hundred jars every year.

Summerthyme

Thanks! I think I'll make a run today!
 

Toosh

Veteran Member
This is because people are buying the knock off Ball lids, off of Amazon and various fake sites, that are coming from China! Half the time the lids don't even have the sealant on them.
I can about 500 jars each year. I'm embarrassed to say it but I like the cheap china lids. They have worked fine for me and with no higher rate of failure than others. At 10 cents per lid versus the reusable lids at 91 cents each, it would take me 9 years to justify the reusables. Hate to say it, but for me. cheap china chit it is.
 

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I can about 500 jars each year. I'm embarrassed to say it but I like the cheap china lids. They have worked fine for me and with no higher rate of failure than others. At 10 cents per lid versus the reusable lids at 91 cents each, it would take me 9 years to justify the reusables. Hate to say it, but for me. cheap china chit it is.
I used to think this. Until I realized how much I use within the year. I can beans and chicken about once every 3 months. Normally at least 2 dozen jars at a time. The reusable lids will pay themselves off by next year. And that leaves the metal lids for gifts or waterbath items or for the more misc stuff that I can.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
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I've always bought whatever lids were the cheapest, and haven't had any problems with seals. But I invested in Tattler lids, plus 3 extra rings for each lid pre Y2k, and I've never regretted it. I still prefer using the regular metal lids, but I'm NOT willing to pay 25 cents or more each! I've currently got about 2500 regular mouth lids and maybe 300 wide mouth. I'll continue to use them for "tricky" canning that tends to siphon (Chile con Carne, barbecued baked beans, etc but I'm using the Tattlers more and more for everything else.

Summerthyme
 

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
I can about 500 jars each year. I'm embarrassed to say it but I like the cheap china lids. They have worked fine for me and with no higher rate of failure than others. At 10 cents per lid versus the reusable lids at 91 cents each, it would take me 9 years to justify the reusables. Hate to say it, but for me. cheap china chit it is.

I buy my lids from Berlin Packaging in 1000 lid lots. We can anywhere from 500 to 2800 jars of food each year depending on the grow conditions, etc. Lately I've been putting up a lot of canned meat.
 

Gardener

Senior Member
UPDATE:
Got an email from Fillmore today that they are carrying a new canning lid from Superb. The regular sized lids are 60 for $13.50, which is .22 each (cheaper if you buy by the case).

Best price I've seen in a long time, but that doesn't include shipping charges.
 

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
UPDATE:
Got an email from Fillmore today that they are carrying a new canning lid from Superb. The regular sized lids are 60 for $13.50, which is .22 each (cheaper if you buy by the case).

Best price I've seen in a long time, but that doesn't include shipping charges.

Even the Ball brand regular lids are something like $2.97/dozen around here. Every trip I throw a box or two in my cart whether I need them or not. Just habit.
 

Jeepcats27

Senior Member
Don't forget to check them when you get home incase you get some defective lids. Over the last 6 months I've gotten at least 4 boxes of defective lids.
 

Wildwood

Veteran Member
I've saved my used lids for years just in case and have done some tests when canning dried pintos. They are cheap enough that it wouldn't be catastrophic if the lid failed.

The results have been excellent when using the pressure canner but I'm not brave enough to reuse for water bath canning. The newer lids aren't as reliable for water bath canning so I sure don't feel safe using a used one. My best friend is doing the same tests with the same results and she cans a lot too.

After years of rarely, if ever, having a failure with lids sealing, I've had at least three lately and all with brand new name brand lids on water bath canned items. I've started increasing my water bathing time a little and it helps plus I'm turning a lot of them upside down as soon as they come out of the water. That helps too. I know someone will wonder so yes, the jars were completely submerged.

Lastly, last week, I had two different lids on water bathed items look like they were trying to warp just the slightest amount. They were brand new Bernardin lids and I may have tightened them down a little tighter than normal. My mother used those for years and was very pleased with them but these seem just the tiniest bit thinner.
 

AlaskaSue

North to the Future
I've saved my used lids for years just in case and have done some tests when canning dried pintos. They are cheap enough that it wouldn't be catastrophic if the lid failed.

The results have been excellent when using the pressure canner but I'm not brave enough to reuse for water bath canning. The newer lids aren't as reliable for water bath canning so I sure don't feel safe using a used one. My best friend is doing the same tests with the same results and she cans a lot too.

After years of rarely, if ever, having a failure with lids sealing, I've had at least three lately and all with brand new name brand lids on water bath canned items. I've started increasing my water bathing time a little and it helps plus I'm turning a lot of them upside down as soon as they come out of the water. That helps too. I know someone will wonder so yes, the jars were completely submerged.

Lastly, last week, I had two different lids on water bathed items look like they were trying to warp just the slightest amount. They were brand new Bernardin lids and I may have tightened them down a little tighter than normal. My mother used those for years and was very pleased with them but these seem just the tiniest bit thinner.
Thanks for sharing your experienc! While south this summer I got my DDIL all needed to water bath and taught ggirls how to make and preserve jams and pickles (maybe another year we’ll do pressure canning). Left all the equipment for DDIL if she wants to continue, but she’s a very busy Doc, so I doubt it. At least they got a taste of it…and loved it. Wish I could’ve done more but am happy for what we did.
 

hd5574

Veteran Member
I have been using new ball lids water bath canning..no failures...I have been doing it old school...I put a ring with a lid inside it in my 1 quart sauce pot..and heat to bubbles..not to hard rolling boil..then take the ring and lid out together...with bottle tongs....drain the water over the pot and put the lid and ring on hot jars 3 finger tight

DH thinks hot jar hot lid and hot ring...has something to do with the sealing.. the same temperature for all the parts ... just seems to work so I'm not changing it.

That was the way I was taught to do over 50 years ago..by older women who had to can.. seemed they never have jars didn't seal.
 
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