Accidentally boiled canning lids

[availablename]

Hi, I am new to canning. I was carefully following the instructions but realized only too late I was not supposed to boil the canning lids (everything was new, yes, and I've done this before with a friend but it was long ago).

I went ahead and processed the jars but need to ask (obviously)... if the jars still suck down and seal, are they safe? I hear them popping down in the kitchen as I type.

Also, second question, as I removed the jars from the water with the tongs, I noticed air bubbles escaping as I put pressure around the lid ring. Is this alright/normal?

Thanks!

[duonyte]

I just happened to read something about the lids, and so long as they seal, you should be fine. The new lids are manufactured with a different sealing compound and do not need to be boiled, just heated.

[availablename]

Thank you-- every single one of them sucked down tight, and I keep checking them out of paranoia but they do seem fine. Thanks for the peace of mind.

[Peter Bergerson]

To answer your second question: It is normal (in fact necessary) to see air escaping from the jars while they're in the boiling water bath. The heat exposure from the boiling water does two functions. Not only does the heat kill microorganisms, it also causes the jar's contents to expand to force enough air out of the headspace to allow a vacuum to form when the jar cools.

If, at the end of the processing time, you see either no bubbles or a lot of bubbles, you didn't get the screw bands tightened correctly. Too tight and the jars won't vent. Too loose and processing water can enter the jar contaminating its contents. By the way you asked your question, I can tell that you got them tightened correctly.