re-using pickling vinegar

[JohnN]

I'm busy pickling beetroot with Sarsons Pickling vinegar, but it can get quite expensive. Is it OK to save the vinegar from the previous year's pots and re-use it, perhaps with a "freshener"? I expect the seasonings in the old vinegar will have lost some of their strength.

[sally wright]

I would say yes John, BUT with the following provisos; not for long term storage, two months at the most and heat it up to sterilize it before re-use.

Do not forget to mark which jars have been done in this fashion as they should be used first.

I would also investigate making your own spiced vinegars; they can be so much cheaper. Especially if you can get larger quantities of brown vinegar from say a food wholesaler or via your local cafe or pub. I usually get my vinegars in 1 gallon containers from the kitchens where I work and they are almost the same cost as a bottle of the Branded stuff.

I also find Sarsons Pickling vinegar far too strong a flavour for milder veg such as beetroot.

Regards Sally Wright

[Geoff]

I wouldn't bother. Get your vinegar from Lidl or Aldi, white or brown, 29p pint and add your own spices.