I'm in a jam with marmalade making - HELP!

[IDismyname]

(Excuse pun in title... :))

I'm making 2 batches of marmalade. One, I made yesterday, and the other is all waiting to go this morning.

Batch one, however, has set as thick as glue. It tastes great, looks great - but adheres itself to the spoon like.... glue.

Can I adapt batch Two in order to add batch one into it - and when in the process do you think I should do it?

[IDismyname]

Bump!

[LoonyRationalist]

I'd be tempted to try and fix the first one and then try a different recipe for the next batch.

Boil it up with some water (or orange juice would be great for an extra kick) and re-jar.

[Lilymaid]

I wouldn't try to mix - end result would be two ruined batches. No idea if you can rescue the first batch - you defnitely don't want to boil it up any more.
Did you use a thermometer or cold saucers to test the set?

[LoonyRationalist]

Lilymaid I disagree - the only way to rescue it is to melt it into some liquid & reset. I do agree that I wouldn't risk the second batch as well in trying to fix the first though.

[IDismyname]

Thanks for your help.

I'll let you know how I get on.

I always forget how long it takes to make the stuff! Jam always seems so quick in conparison.

[IDismyname]

errr... comparison!

[IDismyname]

All done.

I thinned out the 'glue' batch with orange juice which seemed to produce a slightly runnier set, and then made up the second batch with only about half the amount of boiling time.

Seemed to work! Thanks again for your help and suggestions

[StairsInTheNight]

im impressed. Mine never got past soft set despite 5 HOURS of boiling! What recipe did you use?

[Lilymaid]

5 hours boiling????
It should be around 20-25 minutes if you are following a traditional recipe. You have to boil the mixture at the maximum temperature you can get on your hob, though, a real "rolling boil" and using a jam pan helps.
I've never overcooked marmalade (not significantly anyway) but Loony's tip about thinning down could have come in handy a few times when jam making.

[StairsInTheNight]

Ah but its delias method. 3 to 4hrs cooking. It does taste absolutely bloody lovely. :-)