The Slow Jam Toolkit

The Tools Behind Slow Jam

Starting out? If you’re new to jam-making, begin with one pan, one bowl, and a good everyday jar. Everything else can come later.

The French way of making jam relies as much on method as it does on equipment.

Over time, I’ve gathered a small collection of tools that support a slower, more thoughtful approach — pieces chosen for how they behave in use, not for convenience or trend.

This is not an exhaustive list.
It’s a curated toolkit of the tools I use and return to in my own kitchen — chosen because they make jam-making calmer, more precise, and more satisfying.

Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share tools I genuinely use and trust.

If you’re just starting out, you don’t need everything here. Start with a pan, a bowl, and a good jar.

Copper pans

If you only invest in one thing for jam-making, make it the pan. Most people need just one pan. The others are here for specific moments.

  • De Buyer Copper Jam Pan, 9L

    This is the pan I use to make my jam, and the one I recommend most often.
    It’s wide enough to fit comfortably on a hob without being oversized, holds a good quantity of fruit, and responds gently and evenly to heat. It doesn’t catch on the base, feels light for its size, and washes easily.

    If you’re making regular batches of jam and want one dependable pan you’ll use for years, this is it.

    Best for: everyday jam-making, seasonal batches, confident beginners.

    Learn more 

  • Baumalu Copper Jam Pan, 3L

    Made in France from high-quality copper, this Baumalu pan is ideal for smaller batches of jam and preserves. The compact size makes it especially useful for testing seasonal recipes, making gifting batches, or working alongside a larger pan.

    It responds quickly to heat and feels light and controlled in use — a practical, dependable companion rather than a replacement for a full-size jam pan.

    Best for: small batches, flavour testing, gifting quantities.

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  • Mauviel Copper Jam Pan (approx. 9 L)

    This traditional French copper jam pan holds around 9 litres, making it ideal for full seasonal batches of jam. The wide, sloped sides encourage gentle evaporation, while the hammered copper improves heat responsiveness for patient, even reduction.

    It’s a beautiful piece of preserving equipment — designed for moments when fruit is abundant and time is given. Not essential for everyday jam-making, but deeply satisfying when working through a glut of fruit in one calm, focused session.

    Best for: seasonal harvests, larger batches, and slow, traditional confiture making.

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Utensils

You don’t need many utensils for jam — just a few that feel steady and reliable in use. You’ll notice some tools overlap — choose the ones that suit how you like to work.

  • Baumalu Copper Ladle with Steel Handle

    Made in France, this copper ladle is ideal for scooping, pouring, and serving jam or syrup. The copper bowl responds gently to heat, while the long steel handle keeps hands comfortably away from the pan.

    A practical, well-balanced tool that brings a touch of traditional French craft to everyday jam-making.

    Best for: decanting jam, serving, and syrup work.

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  • Baumalu Copper Skimmer with Steel Handle

    This copper skimmer is designed for lifting fruit, removing foam, or skimming spices from simmering jam. Light, responsive, and precise in use, it allows you to work gently without disturbing the fruit.

    A useful companion during the cooking stage.

    Best for: skimming foam, lifting fruit, clearing spices.

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  • De Buyer Ladle with Beechwood Handle

    A simple, well-made ladle combining stainless steel with a beechwood handle for balance and control. Lightweight yet robust, it’s comfortable to use for stirring, scooping, and pouring during jam-making.

    A timeless, everyday utensil that earns its place.

    Best for: stirring and pouring with control.

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  • Skimmer with Beechwood Handle, De Buyer

    This skimmer offers excellent control when removing foam, lifting fruit, or clearing spices during cooking. The perforated stainless steel head is precise, while the beechwood handle keeps it light and steady in the hand.

    A dependable tool for traditional preserving.

    Best for: controlled skimming and lifting

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  • Kitchencraft Jam Funnel

    A true classic of the preserving kitchen, this stainless steel jam funnel makes jarring cleaner, safer, and far less messy. The wide mouth is ideal for jam, chutney, or syrup, while the side grip offers steady control.

    Simple, durable, and genuinely useful.

    Best for: clean, confident jarring.

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  • Brass Jam Thermometer

    I remember using one of these as a child — it’s lovely to see it still being made. This traditional brass sugar and jam thermometer is clearly marked for jam, caramel, and setting stages, taking the guesswork out of achieving the perfect set.

    Accurate, reliable, and beautifully made, it’s a timeless tool for traditional preserving.

    Best for: traditionalists and slow, intuitive cooking.

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  • ThermoPro Waterproof Digital Jam Thermometer

    For a more modern approach, this digital thermometer offers fast, accurate readings with minimal fuss. The long probe and pot clip keep hands safely away from the heat, while the clear display removes guesswork at setting point.

    A reliable option for confident, repeatable results.

    Best for: precision and reassurance.

    Learn. more 

  • Westmark Preserve Jar Lifter

    An essential tool for safely lifting hot, sterilised jars from boiling water. Designed to grip jars securely without slipping, it makes the final stage of jam-making calmer and more controlled.

    One of those tools you don’t think about — until you really need it.

    Best for: safe handling of hot jars.

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  • Heatproof Silicone Spatula

    A flexible silicone spatula is one of the quiet heroes of jam-making. Gentle on copper pans and ideal for steady stirring and scraping down the sides, it helps ensure nothing catches or goes to waste.

    Simple, reliable, and surprisingly essential.

    Best for: steady stirring and clean finishes.

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Maceration

Where flavour begins.

Maceration is a quiet but important stage in French jam-making. A good bowl matters more than people expect — it should feel steady, generous, and comfortable to work with over time.

  • Mason Cash Cane Mixing Bowl (approx. 4 L)

    This is the bowl I use for macerating fruit before cooking. The thick earthenware keeps the contents cool and stable, while the weight prevents slipping as fruit and sugar are gently combined.

    It’s generously sized, durable, and well suited to resting fruit slowly as juices are drawn out.

    Best for: maceration, resting fruit, and preparing larger batches.

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  • Mason Cash Smaller Cane Mixing Bowl (approx. 2 L)

    A smaller version of the classic cane bowl, ideal for testing flavours, preparing spices, or working with reduced quantities of fruit. It has the same reassuring weight and practicality, just on a more compact scale.

    A useful companion to the larger bowl rather than a replacement.

    Best for: small batches, flavour testing, and prep work.

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  • Mason Cash Cane Pouring Bowl (approx. 2 L)

    A practical pouring bowl designed for transferring macerated fruit or hot jam with control. The integrated spout makes decanting cleaner and calmer, while the weighted earthenware keeps the bowl steady on the work surface.

    At around 2 litres, it’s well sized for smaller batches or for pouring in stages without rushing.

    Best for: transferring fruit, controlled pouring, and tidy jarring.

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Jars

Different jars suit different moments.

The jar you choose shapes how jam is stored, shared, and enjoyed. These are the jars I return to — each suited to a particular stage or intention, from everyday use to gifting and traditional preserving.

  • Kilner Clip-Top Jar (approx. 0.5 L)

    A dependable, everyday jar that’s easy to live with. The clip-top seal is reliable, the glass is clear and smooth, and the shape works well with simple labels.

    This is a practical choice for regular jam-making and a good place to start if you’re new to preserving.

    Best for: everyday jam, beginners, and testing recipes.

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  • Le Parfait Super Jar (approx. 0.5 L)

    The classic French preserving jar, designed for traditional confiture. The glass is heavier and more robust, and the seal is made to withstand repeated use over time.

    These are jars you keep, reuse, and build a pantry around — not essential, but deeply satisfying to work with.

    Best for: traditional preserving, heritage kitchens, and long-term use.

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  • Better Bottles Hexagonal Jam Jar (227 ml)

    A classic preserve jar often used for gifting and small-batch production. The 227 ml size feels generous without being oversized, making it ideal for sharing or creating sets of seasonal flavours.

    Simple, tidy, and easy to label.

    Best for: gifts, hampers, favours, and flavour collections.

    Learn more