I think there is actually tradition to returning canning jars. So if you feel uncomfortable asking for the jar to be returned, try telling them that it is traditional to do so. It's okay to explain why, if you like. Sometimes when I give a jar to someone who lives far away, I will just ask them to make sure the jar gets back to "someone, anyone" who cans. I don't want it to be thrown away even if I will not be the one to receive it.

I always ask that I get the jars back, I seldom do. My family and Elery's have all figured out that they make great storage containers for leftovers, for dry pantry good, etc.

I agree with Matthias, there is actually tradition in returning canning jars, if someone were lucky enough to receive homemade jam, pickles or other products, they would be sure to give the jars back to the "maker", mostly to be sure that they got refills, I think!

Annie

Only one friend gives me the jars back. If they are using them for storage, then that's not so bad, but I have the feeling most get tossed. I've never asked for them back and was wondering if I should.

I always ask for them back if they plan to toss them or unless they plan on using them for another purpose...in a nice way of course.

I always tell people (or have the DH do it), they'll stand a better chance of getting more if they return the jars. It's the same thing with cookie tins.

Hey buddy! If you want some more next year, yous better return the jar!

Otherwise, consider it a gift and use the cheaper jars for people who don't return them.

Haha, I just stumbled in here while checking out other forums. Kate, I don’t hesitate to ask for people to return my quilted jelly jars (rather than toss or recycle them) and they never do! However, I also make small bottles of lemoncello and always ask for the bottles back…. I’ve never failed to have one returned! lol!!!

I made some Red Devil Sauce in August and bought special jars. I've gotten all the jars back - already! - I guess in hopes of having them refilled. 😄

Care to share your RDS recipe? I'm guessing it's made with cayenne peppers and I have some fresh-picked that I strung this morning. :) I also had some giant jalapenos so I just tried a small batch of Candied Jalapenos... omg, I could eat the juice with a spoon! lol!

I actually go the recipe from Lee himself, but since it was published in the Bee I feel I can pass it along here.

Red Devil Sauce

Lee Fanucchi's (Fresno County Master Gardener)

1 pound of jalapeno peppers
1 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons salt
2-3 cloves of garlic

Place in blender and push "chop" button to process adding peppers as you go. Place in glass jar and store in refrigerator. Will last up to two years. Can use either red or green peppers. (Mixed colors make a yukky colors.)

Fresno Bee
Setember 13, 2001

This year I didn't grow any Jalapenos so I made this mix instead:

2021

2 pablano

3 Hatch

2 Jalepino

Rest of pound was Sweet Heat and Cajun Spice Peppers

1 small onion (baseball size)

6-7 small cloves of garlic

2 T Salt

2 tsp sugar

1 Cup cider vinegar

Thanks for the recipe, Kate. There’s no cooking or fermenting involved?!?!

No and no. But that's for the original recipe. The second recipe is what I made this year and it fermented for a couple of days all on it's own while I was waiting for the special jars to arrive.

The orginal is as hot as the jalepinos you used. (I guess that would be true of any peppers one uses. )

Thanks, your sauce looks great! Beautiful bottle — I love swingtops!

OK, so I don't can, wish I did ;^) I must say though, that I give back the jar with something in it! Mom always said, never return an empty. In a pinch, it's full of sugar or flowers if I can't bake cookies. Definitely ask, I think the tacky part is them not returning!

Heatheron, I had a party once where a co-worker’s wife kept commenting about how beautiful my flower gardens were. Days later, I brought the guy a big bouquet of fresh cut flowers to give to her and I made it clear that she should keep the vase. Weeks later he returned the vase, full of candy! I was puzzled by that and my father told me about that old custom of never returning an empty container. I’d never heard of it before or since, until now, of course.

Kate, I searched this thread out because I had shown the pic of your cute swingtops to my BF, and he ordered me 6 to try. These are 12oz with a wide flat bottom from Amaz*n. Are yours 8oz? and where did you find them? My gardens aren’t producing, so no hot peppers or sauce here. I’ll use them for lemoncello and I also want to try a new blackberry liqueur.

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/mockins-Bottle-Stoppers-Funnel-Marker/dp/B088J9PTBS/ref=sxin_22_ac_d_pm?ac_md=2-1-QmV0d2VlbiAkMjAgYW5kICQyNQ%3D%3D-ac_d_pm_pm_pm&crid=3BUTOFOI8T4DF&cv_ct_cx=canning+bottles+for+hot+sauce&dchild=1&keywords=canning+bottles+for+hot+sauce&pd_rd_i=B088J9PTBS&pd_rd_r=3cdfd145-7db6-499c-9cfb-2ccc8646c5bb&pd_rd_w=cVnM0&pd_rd_wg=4tVeJ&pf_rd_p=59cd35b3-fd01-41c8-b226-e181f5db7b0f&pf_rd_r=9FZTDQW369ZGZ4FG390H&psc=1&qid=1635280303&sprefix=canning+bottles%2Caps%2C170&sr=1-2-22d05c05-1231-4126-b7c4-3e7a9c0027d0

Thank you!

eta: Kate, I went to add them to my wishlist…. did you notice that you can buy them *used* for under $14?! why are they selling used bottles and what were they used for? lol!