What did you do in the garden today?

[WthrLady]

Since so many people on here and recently myself, have had trouble with Ball canning lids sealing. I sent them a very detailed message about their lids being ineffective. They sent me this checklist of things they want to know to deter any further action. I was sent a list similar to this from FedEx 3 months ago and after nastily answering their 20 repetitive questions they said they weren't going to do anything anyway and contact Wal-Mart for a refund.
Here it is:

To: me · Thu, Jul 10 at 3:16 PM

Message Body​

Dear Michelle, Thank you for contacting Fresh Preserving. We regret your product did not perform as expected. When you have a free moment, we would like to gather a little more information to better assist. Your report will be forwarded to our Quality Assurance and Manufacturing Teams so that they can take the appropriate steps to prevent a recurrence of this issue. Please provide the following details: Place of purchase Are the jars Ball, Kerr, Golden Harvest, or other? Are the closures Ball, Kerr, Golden Harvest, or other? Wide Mouth or Regular Mouth? Pictures of the Alpha Numeric Product Code from the packaging What canning recipes were you following? Please advise the resource used. If a book was used, we will need to know the name, copyright year and page number for the recipe. Size of jars used How did you prepare the lids? Were the lids sterilized in heat? If so please explain the manner of sterilization. How much headspace did you leave in the jars? Were the air bubbles removed? Band placement: applied loose, snug, firm, fingertip tight, tightly How did you process the jars (processing method) and for how long? How long did you wait following the process before checking your seals? How did you check the seals? What method did you use to check your seals? Adjustment made for high altitude: Not applicable, Yes - Adjustment Made __ Please attach this information directly to this email. Once we receive the above information, we will be able to assist you further. If you receive a survey, I hope you will take a minute to share your feedback about your experience with me. Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to resolving this issue for you. Sincerely, Katelyn Fresh Preserving Consumer Care

They don't care. It's the same letter from 2019. They ask to make you feel like you're being heard. You won't be. I switched to Superb and haven't looked back.
All the Ball/Kerr/Harvest are all the same company now, all only good for dry storage. Some won't even seal with a vacuum seal. They're too thin and a simple change in air pressure will pop the seal.

 

[PopoMyers]

It's utterly frustrating when there is no real customer service or satisfaction from a formerly quality and reputable company. Back during the Covid canning craze, I purchased some lids online, that came from China. Yeah, I know. They all still seal properly. I haven't purchased any from the 3 companies mentioned in recent years, and the ones I inherited from my neighbor all still seal properly. Good to know.

 

[dirkandlorie]

They don't care. It's the same letter from 2019. They ask to make you feel like you're being heard. You won't be. I switched to Superb and haven't looked back.
All the Ball/Kerr/Harvest are all the same company now, all only good for dry storage. Some won't even seal with a vacuum seal. They're too thin and a simple change in air pressure will pop the seal.

Is that what's going on? I just started putting up my pickles and none of the jars sealed. Started using the new box of ball lids, and believe me when I say I can't eat this many jars of pickles! gotta go search for those superb you mentioned, will they fit the ball/Kerr jars?

 

[Rick589]

Since so many people on here and recently myself, have had trouble with Ball canning lids sealing. I sent them a very detailed message about their lids being ineffective. They sent me this checklist of things they want to know to deter any further action. I was sent a list similar to this from FedEx 3 months ago and after nastily answering their 20 repetitive questions they said they weren't going to do anything anyway and contact Wal-Mart for a refund.
Here it is:

To: me · Thu, Jul 10 at 3:16 PM

Message Body​

Dear Michelle, Thank you for contacting Fresh Preserving. We regret your product did not perform as expected. When you have a free moment, we would like to gather a little more information to better assist. Your report will be forwarded to our Quality Assurance and Manufacturing Teams so that they can take the appropriate steps to prevent a recurrence of this issue. Please provide the following details: Place of purchase Are the jars Ball, Kerr, Golden Harvest, or other? Are the closures Ball, Kerr, Golden Harvest, or other? Wide Mouth or Regular Mouth? Pictures of the Alpha Numeric Product Code from the packaging What canning recipes were you following? Please advise the resource used. If a book was used, we will need to know the name, copyright year and page number for the recipe. Size of jars used How did you prepare the lids? Were the lids sterilized in heat? If so please explain the manner of sterilization. How much headspace did you leave in the jars? Were the air bubbles removed? Band placement: applied loose, snug, firm, fingertip tight, tightly How did you process the jars (processing method) and for how long? How long did you wait following the process before checking your seals? How did you check the seals? What method did you use to check your seals? Adjustment made for high altitude: Not applicable, Yes - Adjustment Made __ Please attach this information directly to this email. Once we receive the above information, we will be able to assist you further. If you receive a survey, I hope you will take a minute to share your feedback about your experience with me. Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to resolving this issue for you. Sincerely, Katelyn Fresh Preserving Consumer Care

I find it odd that others are having issues. I have never had an issue except for an occasional bad seal which has occurred mayne once or twice in many years. Get my lids from Wal-Mart like many other do.

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

The weather this year is BONKERS and that's coming from one who knows. I might have to bring in my potato bucket, the last one. I'm also worried about rot and pill bugs.
THE WINDS this morning. We went over 60 and it twisted, almost off, several branches off the birch tree. I was out there with a chainsaw before the rains started, and we're under a rain train since 930. I'll take it, but I really need a week to dry out and cut hay!

And tonight!! Yikes!

 

[Rick589]

I purchased some lids online, that came from China

Those are the lids with the white sealant, correct?

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

Since so many people on here and recently myself, have had trouble with Ball canning lids sealing. I sent them a very detailed message about their lids being ineffective. They sent me this checklist of things they want to know to deter any further action. I was sent a list similar to this from FedEx 3 months ago and after nastily answering their 20 repetitive questions they said they weren't going to do anything anyway and contact Wal-Mart for a refund.
Here it is:

To: me · Thu, Jul 10 at 3:16 PM

Message Body​

Dear Michelle, Thank you for contacting Fresh Preserving. We regret your product did not perform as expected. When you have a free moment, we would like to gather a little more information to better assist. Your report will be forwarded to our Quality Assurance and Manufacturing Teams so that they can take the appropriate steps to prevent a recurrence of this issue. Please provide the following details: Place of purchase Are the jars Ball, Kerr, Golden Harvest, or other? Are the closures Ball, Kerr, Golden Harvest, or other? Wide Mouth or Regular Mouth? Pictures of the Alpha Numeric Product Code from the packaging What canning recipes were you following? Please advise the resource used. If a book was used, we will need to know the name, copyright year and page number for the recipe. Size of jars used How did you prepare the lids? Were the lids sterilized in heat? If so please explain the manner of sterilization. How much headspace did you leave in the jars? Were the air bubbles removed? Band placement: applied loose, snug, firm, fingertip tight, tightly How did you process the jars (processing method) and for how long? How long did you wait following the process before checking your seals? How did you check the seals? What method did you use to check your seals? Adjustment made for high altitude: Not applicable, Yes - Adjustment Made __ Please attach this information directly to this email. Once we receive the above information, we will be able to assist you further. If you receive a survey, I hope you will take a minute to share your feedback about your experience with me. Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to resolving this issue for you. Sincerely, Katelyn Fresh Preserving Consumer Care

Ridiculous - we have switched to Forjars lids. Ball was always my go to. Until it wasn't! They just aren't a quality product anymore.

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

We are expecting 4.30" of rain tonight with high winds etc! We are not used to this! It's summer in the Midwest and we are used to hot and dry. The celery I started from seed is loving this rain! Thick big stalks. I'm just going to keep focusing on all the good things! And we are finally going to be done with our drought that has lasted for years! What's a good thing you are focusing on in your garden?

 

[OnlySympathy]

We are expecting 4.30" of rain tonight with high winds etc! We are not used to this! It's summer in the Midwest and we are used to hot and dry. The celery I started from seed is loving this rain! Thick big stalks. I'm just going to keep focusing on all the good things! And we are finally going to be done with our drought that has lasted for years!

That’s great! Hopefully your plants handle the wind well

What's a good thing you are focusing on in your garden?

flowers blooming, lots of tomatoes getting close to ripe, and my dried bean plants have been doing really good. A bunch look like they are going to start drying soon so I’m excited. And my loofahs have been taking off which I’m looking forward to. And I think the last thing is all my peppers finally fruiting

 

[WthrLady]

They fit all jars wide and regular mouth is available.

Is that what's going on? I just started putting up my pickles and none of the jars sealed. Started using the new box of ball lids, and believe me when I say I can't eat this many jars of pickles! gotta go search for those superb you mentioned, will they fit the ball/Kerr jars?