Hi Robin, thanks for sharing your ideas. I like your tools (Coke bottle half and oil gasket remover). It’s very clever and a great idea to use what you have. When I was a young girl, we preserved jam, pickles, and relish (finely chopped pickled vegetables) just the way you describe–sterilize the jars and then fill and screw the lid on tight. Only in more recent years has the U.S.D.A. cautioned against using this practice and recommends boiling the jars in a canner. But sometimes I wonder if the extra caution is because people are not being careful, and sterilizing their jars or getting the product boiling hot before sealing in the jar. Also, reusing commercial jars is not recommended, because they are not intended for reuse. But of course, depending on where you live and your resources, sometimes you have to be clever and make do with what you have. –Carole

You need a few basic pieces of equipment to get started (cost $15-$50, depending on what you decide to get). Your first dozen jars cost about $10-$12. After that, for every dozen jars you can, you need to buy jars and lids. Here’s a long article that I wrote that provides more detail: http://livingonthecheap.com/preserve-food-at-home-with-cheap-canning-equipment-and-free-recipes/