Hard cider is apple cider that has been fermented to produce an alcoholic beverage. It can be purchased at some retail stores as cider or beer, though many people choose to make it at home. Mason jars are a popular way to store homemade hard cider, but some precautions need to be taken; There are a few risks to storing hard cider in Mason jars.

Throughout the process of making hard cider, cleanliness is very important. Everything must be sanitized properly to prevent bacteria and other germs from entering the process and contaminating the cider. Before pouring cider into the Mason jars, you must thoroughly clean them and let them dry completely. Failure to do so could contaminate the cider, which means it could change color, flavor or even make you sick.

Mason jars have been used for food canning and storage for more than 150 years. People are used to preserving items in them and then being able to store them in a pantry. However, with hard cider, you must store it in the refrigerator. Leaving hard cider out in the pantry or on a shelf like a jar of preserved tomatoes can cause it to spoil quickly, even if it doesn't look spoiled. Drinking it can give you food poisoning and make you very ill.

Hard cider will keep for about a week inside the refrigerator once it has been stored in a Mason jar. After a week, you must freeze the cider to make sure it doesn't go bad. Liquids that are frozen expand, which in this case can cause the glass Mason jars to crack. Some sources warn strongly against freezing Mason jars; others say it's safe if space is left in the jar for the freezing liquid to expand.

To avoid the dangers that come with storing hard cider in Mason jars, make sure you sanitize all of your equipment and jars. Wash and dry with hot, soapy water then sanitize in a mixture of 1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of hot water. Soak for at least 1 minute. When pouring the cider into the Mason jars, be sure to leave at least a half-inch of space at the top to allow for expansion should you have to freeze the jars. Check the jars after freezing and discard any, including their contents, if they have cracks.