Ball freshTECH Automatic Jam and Jelly Maker, Silver -

This machine is fantastic. It does what it says it does: makes small batches of jelly. I am used to buying in bulk and to canning large batches (I canned 48 quarts of applesauce one weekend last year), so there is a mind frame adjustment that is necessary for me here. This machine works better for small, experimental batches of jellies and jams. It'd be a little silly to try and do large bulk batches. For instance, I got around 50 pounds of strawberries in bulk, but instead of doing a huge batch of strawberry jam, I did five small batches using the five strawberry recipes found in the book. That way, I ended up with 20 jars of various flavors instead of 20 jars of one flavor. The cleanup between batches is SO fast and easy, and the most time-consuming part of the project is prepping your fruit or veggie. Instead of having to stand over your oven and stir stir stir, in just 20 minutes of machine-time (while you're busy cleaning up and prepping the canner and the next batch), the jelly is ready for the next step. Speaking of recipes, I should hope that everyone knows that Ball is protecting its butt by telling you not to deviate from the recipes in their booklet. They can't possibly address all the safety concerns with all the possible recipes people would try. Unfortunately, in this litigious society, they are just being smart about their own liability. Having said that, I have successfully made many other recipes in this machine than just what's in the book. One of the main concerns is that I don't get too MUCH jelly in here because any overflow would not only not set the jelly up right, but also be a pain to clean out of the machine parts that aren't supposed to be exposed to the food. A lot of the recipes I've tried are just imaginative variations on the recipes they've included. I've made a Banana-Pepper Jelly substituting garden banana peppers for bell peppers. The flavor and color is unique, but the recipe worked the same. I've also added different spices to others for the fun of the experiment. However you want to use this, whether sticking to the book or going out on your own limb, it is a great device and easy to clean, store, and use.

Ok--if you like homemade jam but HATE the work, this is the product for you. It is so easy, and even better...foolproof! I have only had the product for a couple of weeks so I can't say how long it will last, but in those two weeks I have made over 50 bottles of jam (it makes about 4-5 half pint jars per batch). I did 7 batches yesterday and the jam maker worked perfectly--no overheating or problems at all. I made some jam the old fashioned way last year and ended up with a bunch of jars that have jelly on the bottom and fruit on the top--it tastes ok but you have to mix it to get the fruit mixed in--and it is not as thick as it should be. With the jam maker every batch has turned out perfectly--great consistency, fruit all the way through and perfectly set up--you don't have to worry about wasting your time or money on something that does not turn out. All you have to do is sprinkle the pectin on the bottom of the machine, put the fruit on top of the pectin with a 1/2 tsp butter and push the "jam" button. It starts to mix and in 4 minutes a beep goes off and you gradually add the sugar. Then you put the lid on and in 17 minutes you have wonderful jam. You can then can or freeze the jam. I will be making grape jelly next--can't wait!! Update 8/20/13--This machine is incredible! It is still working wonderfully well. Just made some apricot/pineapple jam and some peach jam. It amazes me how easy it is to use and how perfect ever batch turns out. Will be making mixed berry/jalapeno jam next (it is wonderful heated over cream cheese with crackers!)then maybe some mint jelly. I read the directions again and realized that you are supposed to wait 1/2 between batches to let the motor cool off but I had not realized that and have been making one batch after the other ever since I got it and still have not had any problems with it. You really need to buy one of these!!

I absolutely love this machine! I love to make jam but I hate to stand over a pot of boiling fruit for half an hour in 90 degree weather so when I saw this I fell in love. This is super easy to use - you just put in your pectin and your fruit and turn it on. Four minutes later you slowly add your sugar, pop the lid on, and wait for it to finish. I use that time to set up my stock pot with my jars. Since it only makes about 4 - 8 oz jars (plus another two or three ounces extra which I immediately use on toast to sample) I can use a small rack in my stock pot, filling it only part way, and not have to drag out my giant canning pot. It takes up less room on the stove, is easier to fill and empty, and takes a LOT less time to boil. By the time the cycle is finished the jars are all set to go and I have my little assembly line set up. I just fill my jars and pop the in the pot - which takes maybe five minutes. Then I process as usual. While the jars are processing I clean up the jam maker and by the time the jars are finished processing everything is washed and put away! It's wonderful! And entire batch of jam from start to finish in just about an hour! I hand wash my jam maker and it's super easy to get all the sticky jam off the nonstick surface. I just use a regular sponge (no scrubby sponge required) and everything comes off beautifully. I know some people are concerned that it only makes four jars at a time, but I find that to be the perfect amount. When I do have lots of fruit (I've done nearly 25 pounds of plums, and about 20 pounds of blueberries so far) I just prepare it (puree/crush/whatever) and measure it out in the quantity I need for a single batch, placing it in quart size Ziploc bags which I then freeze. Then I just take a bag out of the freezer the night before and put it in the fridge and I have the perfect amount of fruit already premeasured to make a batch the next day. It's worked out very well with the several batches I've made so far. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves to make jam! It's perfect and jam making returns to being a joy instead of a chore!

Encantada, una forma muy rápida de hacer mermelada

This is the best purchase I've made since I bought my Kitchenaid mixer and my Vitamix. I am using it for much more than must jam and jelly! Not only does it make perfect jam and jelly, but last week I put in nine diced onions + 2T olive oil and it stirred it for the thirty minutes without burning. I then had perfectly sautéed diced onions. Then I made a peparade recipe where you sautee thinly sliced red, yellow and orange peppers with diced onions, olive oil, and a large can of diced tomatoes plus spices. It stirred it perfectly, cooked it down to an amazingly flavored side dish. I have found it easy to find jam and jelly recipes that will work in this too without following the book's recipes exactly. For instance, we use no sugar needed pectin so then we can only add 3/4 cup sugar and top up the sweetness using splenda. Oh, and it beeps to tell you when to add the sugar! It works great, thickens perfectly and sets like a dream. You can set the time for anything from 1-30 minutes. For other recipes like sautéing stuff, if you need to go longer than 30 minutes, just let the appliance cool for a few minutes then you can reprogram it for up to 30 minutes again. BEST BUY EVER!!

I made some Damson jam with this machine and was very pleased with the outcome. You have to follow the recipe correctly to get the right results. If you like large bits of fruit in your jam this might not work, it produces a smooth jam as the fruit is chop up, I used my food processor for this, quite finely. I made 2 lots of jam and both batches were good. It was hassle free and the best bit no burnt pan at the end! Very easy to clean.

No realiza las funciones en tiempo apropiado

I love it