I’m assuming this is fat that didn’t get skimmed all the way off before canning. Is it an issue ?
Also upon removing the bands 3 out of 4 lids did not seal completely. They were new lids. I’ve never had this issue before and am positive I followed all the steps per the presto manual for canning. What would cause lids not to seal completely?
by 2a_dramallama
5 Comments
Yes fat, and probably related to not sealing. Fat interferes with the sealing ability and while some is fine (inevitable even), that’s quite a bit for cooked stock so I’m assuming it’s probably related.
If you had that high a rate of seal failures I would hazard a guess that:
1. The lids were possibly bad. If you use lids from the same batch as the ones that failed above to process something that is not so fatty and the seal rate is the same, well there’s your answer: the lids, not the fat.
OR
2. The broth was not skimmed [enough.My](http://enough.My) best guess: I think #2 is your problem because if the broth boils over, any grease on the rim can cause the seal to fail.If you use some lids to process something else that is not so fatty and the seal rate is the same, well there’s your answer: the lids, not the fat.
In either case, I suggest skimming your fat to near invisible/not there.
Next time try refrigerating the stock before canning, makes it super easy to pull the fat off the top. Then just reheat to boiling and process.
I don’t work too hard to remove the fat, but I let mine cook in a crockpot for 36 hours before straining, processing, and letting cool. I cannot imagine having the restraint to let it chill overnight instead of skimming what I can and just getting it done by then 🫠
Plus, as it sits in the jar it builds at the top anyway so just spoon it out before use.
Did you have a lot of siphoning? Is yes, any fat pushed out could have caused it to not seal. If there was no siphoning, then the amount of headspace is a bit concerning. Too much headspace can result in a failed or weak seal.
**”If too much headspace is allowed, the food at the top is likely to discolor. Also, the jar may not seal properly because there will not be enough processing time to drive all the air out of the jar.”**
From: [https://www.healthycanning.com/the-role-of-headspace-in-home-canning/](https://www.healthycanning.com/the-role-of-headspace-in-home-canning/) (which is referencing nchfp).