"zxcvbob" > wrote in message
...
>
> From about 2 pounds of oranges, I got 1 3/4 cups of bitter cloudy
> juice. (These were very juicy think-skinned oranges.) I added 1/4 cup
> of lemon juice and 2 cups of sugar. The juice cleared a little. I
> boiled it hard for a few minutes until it was between 220 and 225
> degrees on my candy thermometer. I poured it into a pint jar and a
> half-pint jar. I tasted the scrapings from the pan and it tasted just
> like I wanted -- sweet, tart, and just a little bitter, with a good
> orangy taste. I put lids on the jars and set them on the countertop to
> cool. This morning, they were thickened up like runny syrup, with a
> little bit of jiggle to it. The jelly is not nearly as clear as I'd like.
>
> The short answer is, the juicer did an extrordinarily poor job of
> extracting the pectin. Just like it has with plums, peaches, apples,
> pears, cranberries, etc.
>
> I think it's about time for me to start auctioning off some of my
> useless cooking equipment that everybody else raves about. (steam
> juicer, Tilia foodsaver, "Squeezo" juicer, etc.)
>
> Best regards,
> Bob

Maybe you need to filter it to get a clear jelly?

I've rarely thought about the natural pectin when using my steam-juicer, but
I know the crabapple jelly almost set up as I filled the jars. (Just juice
and some sugar)

I use mine for making juice. With windfall fruit or the last bit that isn't
enough to can, or the plums I couldn't cut off the seed (they were so ripe)
and too big for the dehydrator, I make jugs of juice. Then I have a great,
all juice, no additive base for smoothies all year.

I've had the best luck by bringing it to a boil, then turning the heat down
so the water barely simmers. Don't lift the lid, but you can lift the
basket slightly to make sure the juice level isn't getting too high. My Dad
likes to mix all the juice together in a big pot, but I notice little
difference between the first jar and the last.

I'm glad I bought mine. One of these days I'm gonna use it to make some
steamed bread.

Deb
--
In Oregon, the pacific northWET.