1. All preserves must be potted in scrupulously clean, dry sterilised containers to prevent spoiling. Wash jars and lids well in very hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly.

2. Put open end up on a baking tray and heat in oven at 140°C (120°C fan) mark 1 for 10-15min until completely dry.

3. A jam funnel, which has a wide spout makes potting jam easier. Fill jar almost to top.

4. If potting jam, jelly, marmalade or conserve, immediately cover with a waxed disc, waxed side down while preserve is hot, this stops air reaching jam and helps prevent mould then top with a sterilised lid whilst still hot.

5. Alternatively, leave to cool, then cover with cellophane or jam jar covers and secure with an elastic band. If you seal while preserve is warm, mould will grow on surface.

6. Date and name preserve. Once opened, preserves should be stored in fridge or a cool larder.

What to read next

Use your skills to make these triple-tested recipes:
Spiced fig and plum jam recipe
Cranberry and apple chutney recipe
20 of the best home-made Christmas gift recipes

Classic non-stick metal rectangular roaster, Pyrex.  Montreux saucepan (2 litres, 18cm), Kuhn Rikon UK. Loft 24 piece dinner set, Zwilling J.A. Henckels. Jam funnel, glass jar, chef's own.

Headshot of The GH Kitchen Team

The GH Kitchen Team are Good Housekeeping’s resident recipe developers and all-round food obsessives. GH Kitchen Director Sarah Akhurst is our resident hosting pro and loves nothing more than putting on a foodie feast for friends. Our GH Kitchen Manager Linzi Pucino is our very own Italian food expert (originally hailing from the North East of Scotland!) and can be found working her way through midweek recipes that cover all bases, from haggis to ragu! Our Kitchen Editor ⁠Nadine Brown loves digging into the stories behind her favourite foods and enjoys applying her eclectic tastes to more modern, flavour-forward recipes - just don't give her too much chilli! Our Junior Food Content Produce ⁠Frankie Prichard combines a love of beautiful presentation and flavour-led, seasonal cooking in her recipe development, along with a passion for bringing people together through food. With a wealth of professional kitchen experience between them, they’re dedicated to ensuring every Good Housekeeping recipe is the best it can be, so you can trust they’ll work every single time