It’s the height of summer and the harvest is abundant! You’re busy canning, and you don’t really have the time (or the patience) to cut out pretty labels? Neither do we.
Our method: simply write directly on the glass with a permanent marker. Fast, readable, washable. And here’s the bonus: a numbering system that finally puts an end to the “what was this jar again?” mystery.
The express method for labeling jars
- Let your jars cool down completely and make sure they’re dry.
- Write directly on the jar with a permanent marker: name, date, and batch number.
- Let the ink dry for one minute before handling or storing.
Why is this better than labels?
- no glue, no paper, no tape that peels off halfway.
- zero logistics: one marker, done.
Cleaning: it comes off (almost) on its own
That supposedly “permanent” ink? It actually wipes off very easily.
- soak the jar for a few seconds in hot soapy water (the time it takes to wash the others), then
- scrub with a sponge — or a metallic one if needed.
Much easier than paper labels, which half-peel in the sink, leave glue residue, and need to be scraped off…
The game-changer: numbering your batches
Each canning “batch” gets a batch number. This number links the jar back to a kitchen log. No more guessing, you know exactly what’s inside, when it was made, and how.
- useful if you’re a new homesteader, cooking in a collective kitchen, or like to experiment.
- less useful for your grandma, who has been doing this for 60 years and knows her pantry and recipes by heart.
The “kitchen log” (your canning journal)
A simple table is enough. For each batch, note down:
- Batch number
- Date
- Name of preserve
- Fresh product(s) and quantities (at least the main ingredient)
- Number of jars produced
- Process/time (e.g. 20 min at 5 PSI with a Presto canner, 3% brine fermentation, 90 min water bath…)
- Notes/Remarks (recipe followed, variations, adjustments, shelf life, incidents)
Labeling jars – quick FAQ
Which marker should I use?
A standard permanent marker. Avoid very fine tips (harder to read).
Does it survive the dishwasher?
No idea, I don’t own one 😛
But what if I still want a pretty label?
Go for it — especially if it’s for a gift. Personally, I like using white markers when giving jars away. You might tell me I should print labels given my messy handwriting… fair enough 😉
