Fowler's Vacola
Fowler's Vacola jar is a molded glass jar used in canning to preserve food.[1] In Australia the most popular home canning system is Fowler's Vacola.
History
The system was developed in 1915 in Melbourne, Australia, by Joseph Fowler (28 February 1888 – 24 April 1972),[2] who migrated from England in 1912, at his home in Hawthorn, Victoria,[3] and became very popular.
The jar
Earlier versions employed screw-top lids and matching jars, but the more modern system uses glass jars, single use seals and metal lids, much like American Mason jars first patented in 1858. During the canning process the lids are secured by metal tension clips which are removed once a vacuum seal has formed.[4]
Other equipment marketed by the company included a large electrically heated waterbath and "sterilizing thermometer", a glass thermometer mounted on a convex stainless steel backing, graduated in both degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit.
Availability
Fowler's Vacola products are still produced and are available from some hardware stores, and directly from the company via their online store. Used equipment is frequently sold on online auction sites and in opportunity shops.
The company
Fowlers Vacola specialises in bottling jams and other foods at its manufacturing plant in Sydney.
See also
References
- ^ "Preserving traditions". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 May 2010.
- ^ Peel, Victoria. 'Fowler, Joseph (1888–1972)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fowler-joseph-10230/text18085, published first in hardcopy 1996, accessed online 25 February 2016.
- ^ "Mr Fowler dies, 84". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 27 April 1972. p. 11. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ Fowler's Method of Bottling Fruits and Vegetables, J. Fowler, 26th Edition