Airtight storage
Airtight Glass Jars with Replaceable Seals
Le Parfait glass jars do one thing most jars cannot: they reseal airtight, again and again, with a single replaceable part. The orange natural rubber gasket is the only piece that ever wears, and when it does you swap it in seconds instead of throwing the jar away. Made in France since 1930, these are airtight glass jars built to stay out of the landfill for decades.
How a Le Parfait jar seals airtight
A Le Parfait Super Jar or Super Terrine closes with a hinged wire-bail and a glass lid. Between the lid and the jar sits the signature orange gasket, a ring of natural rubber that compresses to form a hermetic, airtight seal. Snap the bail shut and the jar is sealed against air, moisture, and odor; lift it and the same jar opens cleanly, with no tools and no single-use parts.
The Familia Wiss terrine works a little differently: a flat orange sealing cap and a screw band press down to create the same airtight closure. In every case the rubber seal is the one part doing the work, and the one part you can replace.
Why a replaceable seal matters
Most jars fail at the lid. A bent metal lid or a perished seal usually means the whole jar goes in the bin. Le Parfait separates the wear part from the jar, so a worn seal costs a few cents to replace instead of a few dollars to throw away. One jar can stay in service for decades on a steady supply of gaskets, which is the single strongest sustainability case for the whole range: less glass in the recycling stream, no single-use lids, and packaging that is plastic-free.
How often you replace the seal depends on how you use the jar. For everyday storage, fermentation, and serving, the same gasket reseals reliably for years. For water bath canning, fit a fresh gasket for each batch so the seal is one you can trust.
Which replaceable seal fits which jar
| Replaceable seal | Available sizes | |
|---|---|---|
| Super Jar | Orange natural rubber gasket (wire-bail closure) | 70mm, 85mm, 100mm. Match the gasket to your jar's mouth. |
| Super Terrine | Orange natural rubber gasket (wire-bail closure) | 70mm, 85mm, 100mm, the same Super rubber seal range. |
| Familia Wiss Terrine | Flat orange sealing cap (screw-band closure) | 82mm, 100mm, 110mm. |
What to keep in airtight jars
An airtight seal earns its keep across the kitchen. Use the jars for dry goods and pantry storage (flour, coffee, grains, pasta, spices), where the gasket locks out moisture and keeps contents fresh. They are a natural fit for fermentation, holding sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles through an active ferment, and for refrigerator storage of leftovers, stocks, and prepped ingredients. The glass is freezer safe for batch cooking, and moves from fridge to table without a separate serving dish.
For preserving, the Super Terrine is designed for traditional water bath canning of high-acid foods such as jams, pickles, fruits, and acidified recipes. Modern Le Parfait terrines use heat-resistant glass and replaceable natural rubber seals for reliable preserving when used with tested canning recipes and a fresh gasket each batch.
Common questions about airtight jars and seals
Are Le Parfait jars airtight?
Yes. The natural rubber gasket compresses between the glass lid and the jar to form a hermetic, airtight seal that keeps out air, moisture, and odor. A properly seated gasket is what makes the jar airtight, which is why the seal is replaceable.
When should I replace the rubber seal?
Replace the gasket when it looks flattened, cracked, or glazed, when it no longer springs back, or if a jar stops holding its seal. For everyday storage and fermentation a gasket lasts for years. For water bath canning, fit a fresh gasket for each batch so the seal is reliable.
What size seal do I need?
Super Jars and Super Terrines use the orange Super rubber seal in 70mm, 85mm, or 100mm; match the gasket to your jar's mouth diameter. Familia Wiss terrines use a flat sealing cap in 82mm, 100mm, or 110mm. If you are unsure, our jar size guide walks through it.
Can I use Le Parfait jars for water bath canning?
Yes. Le Parfait Super Terrines are designed for traditional water bath canning of high-acid foods like jams, pickles, fruits, and acidified recipes. Modern terrines use heat-resistant glass, stainless steel hardware, and replaceable natural rubber seals, which set them apart from antique bail jars. Use a new gasket and follow tested canning recipes and processing times.
Are the seals food-safe?
Yes. The gaskets are made from natural rubber and comply with EC 1935/2004, the European standard for materials in contact with food. No metal touches your food, and the packaging is plastic-free.
Are Le Parfait jars plastic-free and recyclable?
The jars are glass and the seals are natural rubber, so there is no single-use plastic in the closure, and the packaging is plastic-free. Because the seal is replaceable, one jar can stay out of the landfill for decades.