No, Ball and Kerr canning lids are not the same. Ball canning lids are two-piece lids that include a flat lid with a gasket and an overlying metal screw-on band that is used to hold the lid in place during the canning process.
Kerr canning lids are a single-piece lid that is constructed of BPA-free, FDA approved plastic. The easy-on/easy-off lids use a plastisol compound and have a special pressure-locking seal that forms around the jar when heated.
While both options provide a reliable seal, their structures and the materials they are made from make them very different.
Are Kerr and Ball the same company?
No, Kerr and Ball are not the same company. Kerr is a manufacturing company that produces oil cans and other containers, while Ball is a canning and preserving company known for its iconic Mason jars.
Both companies are based in the United States and have been around for more than a century, but their products and services are quite different. Ball specializes in making a variety of home canning and preserving solutions and is known for inventing the iconic Mason jars, while Kerr focuses on providing superior solutions for oil and fuel canning, in addition to other containers.
As such, although these two businesses have similar histories, products, and services, Kerr and Ball are not the same company.
What happened to Kerr canning lids?
Kerr canning lids were a type of canning lid that were invented by the American canning pioneer, Alexander Kerr, in the early 20th century. The lids were sold by the Kerr Glass Manufacturing Corporation until the mid-1950s.
The company discontinued the production of the lids due to a combination of factors, including competition from other canning lid manufacturers who developed their own proprietary designs. This competition led to a decrease in the demand for Kerr canning lids, which eventually led to the company ceasing their production.
While the lids are still available to purchase on the secondary market, they are no longer made by the original Kerr Glass Manufacturing Corporation.
Fortunately, the legacy of Kerr canning lids still lives on, as the lids’ basic design was adopted and improved upon by other canning lid manufacturers, and continues to be used today. In addition, individuals and companies may purchase vintage Kerr canning lids through antique dealers or online, allowing them to preserve history as well as enjoy the convenience of a reliable canning lid.
What’s the difference between Ball and Kerr Mason jars?
The primary difference between Ball and Kerr Mason jars is the type of glass used in their manufacture. Ball jars are made from soda lime glass, which is a relatively affordable, mass-produced type of glass that is commonly used in the production of containers, bottles, and other glassware.
Kerr Mason jars, on the other hand, are made from borosilicate glass, which is a much more expensive type of glass that is resistant to thermal shock and resistant to changes in temperature.
Aside from the difference in the types of glass used, the two brands of jars also feature quite different lids. Kerr uses a two-piece vacuum lid system, while Ball uses a standard one-piece screw-on lid.
This difference in the lid design has an impact on the sealing capabilities of the jars, as the two-piece lid of Kerr Mason jars provides a more secure and reliable seal.
Overall, Kerr Mason jars are generally considered to be higher quality and more reliable than Ball jars. With the premium glass and two-piece lid system, Kerr Mason jars are designed for more demanding uses, such as canning and long-term storage.
Are Ball jar lids universal?
No, Ball jar lids are not universal. Ball Mason jar lids come in two main types: regular mouth and wide-mouth. Regular mouth lids are only compatible with regular mouth Mason jars, and wide-mouth lids are only compatible with wide-mouth jars.
Each lid type has different measurements and is not compatible with the other type. There are also other types of lids available that are not from the Ball brand, and those are not compatible with Ball Mason jars either.
Do Ball canning lids fit Kerr jars?
Yes, ball canning lids are designed to fit all standard mouth Mason jars including Kerr jars. Ball canning lids come in either regular-mouth sizes or wide-mouth sizes and they’re designed to fit both sizes of Kerr jars.
These lids are made of rust-resistant stainless steel and come with a new sealing compound formula that creates an extended shelf life for canned goods. When using these lids, the recommended procedure is to place the lid on the jar and screw the band firmly but not tightly to create the airtight seal.
Then, place the jars in a boiling water bath for the recommended amount of time and remove them to cool before storage. Kerr glass canning jars are made in either regular or wide-mouth sizes and when using the Ball canning lids, a secure and reliable seal is easy to achieve.
Why is there a shortage of Kerr and Ball canning lids?
There is currently a shortage of Kerr and Ball canning lids due to a variety of factors. The first reason is that the quantity of canning lids produced is always dependent on the demand from customers.
In the recent months, with so many people stuck at home due to the pandemic, there has been an increased interest in at-home canning, leading to an increased demand for Kerr and Ball canning lids. However, there has not been an increase in supply to match the demand, leading to a shortage.
Another factor that is likely playing into this shortage is the fact that there have been some shortages of raw materials like steel, as many production facilities have had to shut down due to the pandemic as well.
This has caused many issues with the supply chain, leading to a decrease in the production of lids.
In addition, the increased demand due to pandemic-related canning has resulted in factories working around the clock to try to keep up with the demand. The production facilities are already stretched thin, and other factories simply don’t have the capacity to produce enough lids to meet the current demand.
All in all, the shortage of Kerr and Ball canning lids is due to an unprecedented increase in demand combined with a weak supply chain, as well as factories that simply cannot keep up with the current demand.
Are all Ball jar lids the same size?
No, all Ball jar lids are not the same size. The size of the jar lid is determined by the size of the jar, as well as the type of lid. For instance, Ball manufactures straight-sided jars and wide-mouth jars, which require different lid sizes.
The lids come in a variety of sizes, ranging from wide-mouth regular lids (86mm) to regular mouth plastic storage caps (70mm). When selecting a lid, it is important to match the lid size to the size of the jar.
For example, a regular size lid should not be used with a wide-mouth jar, and vice versa.
Do mason jar lids fit all jars?
No, not all mason jar lids fit all jars. Each jar size typically has its own lid size due to the fact that some lids have a greater or lesser diameter than others. In addition, there are a variety of materials that mason jar lids are made of including plastic, metal, or rubber and the type of lid used can vary depending on the type of jar being sealed.
The types of jar sealers also vary depending on the desired use or purpose of the jar, so it is important to make sure the lids are compatible with the jar when sealing.
Are jar lids standard size?
No, jar lids are not standard size. It is important to select the correct size lid for each jar to ensure a secure fit and avoid leaking. Jar lids come in a variety of sizes, such as shallow, wide-mouth, or deep-mouth variants, each of which has a specific diameter that must match the size of the jar.
Additionally, jars come in a range of shapes, such as straight-sided, tapered, or hexagonal, which can further influence the best size lid to use. Many brands of jars and lids are produced in pairs and labeled with corresponding size information on their packaging, while others need to be specifically measured to make sure they fit properly.
Ultimately, locaking for the right-fitted lid is key to ensure the jar remains properly sealed and airtight.
Will Ball lids fit Anchor Hocking jars?
Yes, Ball lids will fit Anchor Hocking jars. Ball and Anchor Hocking have a long-standing tradition of making universal lids that are interchangeable. The lids are designed to fit most mason jars regardless of their manufacturer, so the majority of Ball and Anchor Hocking lids will fit on both types of jars.
Additionally, the two companies often have lid and band sets that are compatible with each type of jar, allowing you to mix and match the lid and band to create the perfect seal. Both companies use similar rubber gasket technology, ensuring that the lid and band will create an air-tight seal when both pieces are securely in place.
Lastly, you can also purchase Ball and Anchor Hocking lids and bands separately so that you can get the perfect fit for your jars, regardless of which type you have.
Who owns the Ball canning company?
The Ball canning company is owned by Jarden Corporation, a publicly traded company with over 120,000 employees. Jarden was formed in 2001 through a merger of five companies and is now headquartered in Rye, New York.
Jarden has a diverse portfolio of brands, with Ball canning being one of their major companies. Ball manufactures a variety of products, such as mason jars, lids, closures and other products for home canning, as well as decorative accessories.
Ball® has been a leader in the home canning industry for more than 125 years and continues to be the most trusted name in canning.
Did Ball buy out Kerr?
No, Ball did not buy out Kerr. Ball Corporation is a global manufacturer of metal and plastic packaging products and the company behind household products like nesting balls and jars. Kerr is an American brand of vacuum containers and jar products that have been popular since its founding in 1915.
The two companies have separate ownership and management. Ball and Kerr may have similar products, but the two companies have their own separate customer base and manufacturing processes. Ball has never acquired Kerr and the two companies remain independent entities today.
What companies does Ball own?
Ball Corporation is a supplier of packaging, aerospace and other technologies and services to commercial, industrial and consumer markets. Ball Corporation owns a number of subsidiaries and operates in more than 70 countries around the globe.
This includes its Ball Packaging Europe, Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Ball Aerospace Technologies Corp., Ball Corporation Australia, Ball Corporation Brazil, Ball Corporation Canada, Ball Corporation India, Ball Corporation Mexico and Ball Corporation Japan, among other subsidiaries.
The company manufactures a variety of products, such as broad line metal and plastic containers, specialty metal and plastic containers, aluminum and plastic aerosol cans, aluminum automotive fuel tanks, and beverage and food containers.
The company also produces aerospace & defense systems and components, including satellites, launch vehicles, missile defense systems, advanced electronic instrumentation, and other technologies and services.
Ball Corporation also provides finishing services, such as cleaning, printing, embossing and coating, on a variety of metals and plastics. The company also specializes in analytics and data solutions, as well as aerospace components and services.
Did the Ball sell to China?
Yes, the Ball Corporation successfully completed the sale of its metal beverage and food packaging operations in China to Ardingly Corporation. The sale involves the transfer of 12 metal production plants and numerous other assets located throughout mainland China.
The Ball team had worked diligently since March 2019 to complete the complex and highly-structured sale, which is a significant milestone for the company. Going forward, the metal packaging assets in China will be operated by Ardingly and will continue to provide metal packaging solutions to customers in Asia Pacific region.
The sale marks a strategic decision for Ball to further prioritize and invest in its global end-market beverage and food solutions portfolio.