säilykeputket

Säilykeputket, which translates to "preservation tubes" or "canning tubes" in English, are a type of food preservation container. Historically, these were glass tubes, often with a narrow neck, designed for sealing food items for long-term storage. The principle behind their use was similar to modern canning, where the contents were heated to kill microorganisms and create a vacuum seal upon cooling, thus preventing spoilage.

These tubes were particularly common in certain regions and historical periods before the widespread adoption of standardized canning jars. The method involved filling the tubes with food, such as fruits, vegetables, or preserves, and then sealing them, often with corks or stoppers, before subjecting them to a heat treatment, typically a water bath. The vacuum formed as the contents cooled would create a tight seal.

The use of säilykeputket has largely been superseded by more efficient and standardized canning methods and containers, such as mason jars. However, they represent an interesting aspect of historical food preservation techniques and can sometimes be found as collector's items or in historical reenactments. Their design focused on simplicity and the ability to achieve a hermetic seal, crucial for preventing bacterial growth and extending the shelf life of food.