• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Carla Burke
  • John F Dean
  • Nancy Reading
  • r ransom
  • Jay Angler
  • Timothy Norton
stewards:
  • paul wheaton
  • Pearl Sutton
  • Anne Miller
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • M Ljin
gardeners:
  • Jim Garlits
  • thomas rubino
  • William Bronson

How do you prevent rust on metal lids during long-term food storage?

 
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi everyone,
For people who preserve or store food for a long time, how do you prevent rust on metal lids, jar lids, rings, or cans?
I’m especially interested in storage in humid conditions or places where temperature changes may cause condensation.
Possible causes I’m thinking about include:
- High humidity
- Condensation
- Salt or acidic food residue
- Scratches on the lid coating
- Damaged coating during handling
- Storing jars with rings on
- Poor airflow
- Long storage time
What methods have worked best for you?
Do you use dry shelves, plastic bins, moisture absorbers, regular inspection, climate-controlled storage, or another method?
I’m mainly interested in practical experience with rust prevention, storage conditions, and lid durability.
 
steward
Posts: 19218
Location: USDA Zone 8a
4844
dog hunting food preservation cooking bee greening the desert
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Emma, welcome to the forum.

I have never had rust on lids for things like flour or rice.

My problem has been things that have been canned so I don't have an answer.
 
pollinator
Posts: 570
Location: Oz; Centre South
190
trees books cooking fiber arts writing
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
the method that works for me is to float a thin layer of cooking oil on the top of the preserve - usually chutney, pickled capers etc.  That is acid containing preserves.  Recently found a jar of peach chutney [no oil used] at the back of the cupboard where then lid was almost eaten through and appeared to be 1 atom of rust thick.  I have also been known to use this method on jams where the plastic lids are known not to seal completely - easily poured off when jar is opened.  I always use olive oil. The storage is a dry cupboard, but where we live is low humidity most of the time.
 
steward & manure connoisseur
Posts: 5230
Location: South of Capricorn
3186
dog rabbit urban cooking writing homestead ungarbage
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I frankly haven't found a solution, and it's a big problem, especially with acidic contents. If anything is not sealed (Indian pickle, for example), I use a plastic lid. I tried normal lids with wax paper or plastic wrap or bags and they still rusted. Things that have to be sealed, I just buy new lids and as soon as they show any signs of being not 100% I switch them out. I hate it but I don't have a better solution.

As for rusting on the outside, I find it to only be a problem with certain kinds of lids. If I can avoid them, I don't have a rust problem (and I live in humidity central). I do keep a humidity trapper in the cabinet where I store my canned goods.
 
If you try to please everybody, your progress is limited by the noisiest fool. And this tiny ad:
change the world (for the better) with hands on permaculture
https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic