In article >,
"Green Newb" > wrote:

> this post. How many years afterwards have you eaten one of your products?
> What is the longest time?

zxcvbob has some stuff he's had since Christ was a corporal. "-0)
I'd want it gone within 2-3 years.


> What do you mean bout the lids popping off?
>
> I've been worrying about, how do you know if it hasn't sealed properly.

Remove the screw band. Using three or four fingers, lift the jar (over
a padded surface, just in case you've a dud) by the edges of the sealed
lid. If the lid stays on, you're good. If it comes off, you didn't
have a good seal.

> Today I'm making a Beef stew, its pretty basic so I hope it goes good!

Consider canning the beef chunks alone and adding them to some
fresh-cooked vegetable chunks when you want to have dinner. The
vegetables shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes to cook for stew;
allow maybe 10 minutes for prep, you've still got dinner in under 45
minutes. JMO.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller - Yes, I Can! blog - check
it out. And check this, too: <http://www.kare11.com/news/
newsatfour/newsatfour_article.aspx?storyid=823232&catid=323>