I do reuse lids for freezer jam, but never for processed canning.

I canned for years and years and NEVER would reuse the flats. Rings and jars yes. Too much chance of botulisim in reusing the flats. I have reused the flats with rings and jars to store beans, rice, etc in the pantry but never in canning.

I never have, but I thought they wouldn't seal after the first time? I don't know.

WOw .. green beans from years ago ?? Whoa .. we always tossed out something after a year,but then most times it never lasted the winter around our house !LOL We use new lids, we will reuse the rings if there is no rust etc.. but usually when you get new jars, new rings & lids go with them . What I never had luck with was reusing mayo jars, for some reason they burst in the water bath. The pint dressing & mayo glass jars, DH's Grandmother would use for jelly and that is a practice I have followed.

Nuh-uh, I would never reuse the lids. The rings, yes, but not the lids that seal the canned goods. It's a lot of work to can and I don't like doing things over. The rings aren't that expensive when bought by themselves and worth the price to not have anythiing go wrong or anyone get sick. I'll save money elsewhere, but not on canning lids.

I only make fruit jams, and I use the inversion method to seal them (pour screaming hot jam into hot, sterilized jars, whack on the lid and screw it down tight, invert the (painfully hot ouch ouch) jar for five minutes, turn right side up and wait to hear the lid go "ping!" as it cools and the contents contract). This method used to be described on the jam instructions in the pectin box, but now is not there - presumably because somebody decided it isn't safe. I have used it for years, frequently with re-used lids, and have NEVER had a seal fail. I would only try this with something that is entering the jar at a crazy hot temperature, that has a high sugar content (inhibits growth of yuckies) and which I will be able to hear go "ping!". Since I don't can I don't know if any of that applies to other stuff.
Alison

I was always taught to use new flats. I do wash the old flat and put back on the jar just to keep the dust out. I rewash the jar before using. It has been years since i did any canning.

I use new lids. If you are going to the trouble to can it and can afford to, it is worth the new lid.

I would NEVER reuse a lid. I'm afraid I would not get a proper seal and I would loose what was in the jar. Too much HARD work to loose any of it.

I always use new lids for canning things I am going to store. I do not want to take the chance that it might not seal. I do reuse the lids for things like storing dry items on my shelves or in the refrigerator.

Good way to get salmanella. Lids that have been used once are not good to use again, altho I have made jam using the jars jam comes in with those lids. The other lids used for pickles, veggies etc need to be new in order to make sure you get a good seal. Once used they don't do that. My MIL would be 100 yr old now if she was alive and one thing she always stressed when we canned was new lids. And if a jar is nicked on the rim do not use it either because it won't seal. She was one who canned anything and everything, and I learned a lot from her. She always said it was safer to just not reuse lids unless you are storing something in the fridge as left overs etc.

You should never use canning lids a second time! Too much danger from botulism. I, do, also reuse jelly jars or pickle jars for jellies and jams. They seal very well. But, I do keep them in a spare fridge after I can the jellies.

I never re-use the lid.

to be perfectly safe, the lids aren't to be re-used for food that is going to be processed and stored unrefrigerated. i reuse them for stuff i'm storing in the refrigerator or freezing.
there is a "new" old system out there this year: reusable plastic white lids with detached rubber rings that are one use. the rubber rings is a reversion back to the rubber rings of the glass jar lids with the wire bale. the rubber on either the old style Ball and Kerr lids is what does the actual sealing once it it is heated and stays sealed because of the vacuum created by the processing. the rubber rings on the detachable system does the same

Me too - rings and jars, not the rubber sealed lids themselves.

Same here, I never reuse the lids unless it is just to put over something I am using right away in the fridge. No canning with old lids.

I only use the old lids when I wash my jars and store them. It keeps the dirt and dust out til I am ready to use them. otherwise. no...

ALWAYS use new lids. Some things are just made to be disposable!

The only thing I would reuse lids for is pickles.

Same here. It's just not worth taking the chance.

If they are in perfect shape I will re-use them. Never had a problem with them. I've had more new ones not seal than used ones.

I have on occasion reused lids for jelly. There were usually a few that did not "pop" so those were used first or given to friends for immediate use only.
If you are planning on long term storage (more than a month or so) I would make very sure the seal was secure.

Just because they "look good " is not what matters. How the pressure treated the rubber in the canning process is the important factor....i would always ....Always use new lids please.

I have been canning now for 40 years and I always use new lids but I reuse the rims. I figure the lids can be bought without the rims for a couple of dollars. So a couple of dollars is worth it. Just to have the peace of mind that my canned food will be safe to eat.

No, I would never reuse the lids for canning & "hope" they will seal. However, I do reuse the "good" ones for general storage of leftovers such as soup, etc.

There are now reusable lids!
 

The Tattler lids advertised on Glenn Beck's show are reusable and guaranteed for a lifetime. They are not plastic, have no PBA and have been tested up to 50 times I believe with success. Just google Tattler reusable lids and you should find them. Worth the extra price if they last forever!

I reuse the rings and buy new lids.

I only use used lids on jellies. On everything else - news ones.

I use new lids-always! I do re-use rings and jars though. New lids are a small price to pay for peace of mind. And too much effort and $$ goes into it all to risk it!!

New lids always!

I reuse canning lids only for various crafts. the canning lids when used again sometimes doesnt seal properly,

Canning is too much work to try to cut corners on lids...they are cheap and my labor and time counts too!

I reuse them for everyday use. If I am going to do canning with a pressure cooker I use new ones. But if you just use the jars and lids for something to put in the fridge no need to throw them away. Also freezer jams don't need new lids.

Always new lids, rings I use until they rust then recycle them...

You can re-use the jars and the rings but never the flats. Too much of a chance of botulisim. I have used them for freezer jam or to store salad dressing in a jar in the fridge but never for canning.