There are a few reasons why your Jell-O won’t set. It depends on what steps you followed to make you jello and if you added any fruit to it before chilling it.
In this article we will go over the most common causes for JELL-O not setting as well as how you can try and save it.
You will also learn some tips to make sure your Jello sets every time you make it.
Common Reasons Why Your JELL-O Won’t Set
It’s important to know why your Jello won’t set. This will let you know if you can save your jello or if you have to start over.
Did you add fruit to your Jell-O?
There are certain fruits that contain enzymes that will prevent your gelatin from setting.
Some common fruits that contain these enzymes are pineapple, kiwi, guava, papaya, ginger, and figs.
If you used any of these fruits you may be able to save your Jell-O. Head down to the next section to find out how.
If you did no use any of these types of fruit in your gelatin then you likely did not follow the instructions exactly right.
When making gelatin you must boil the powder in water and then add the correct amount of cold water before sending it to the fridge to set.
If you skipped or altered either of these steps then that is why your Jello will not set. Unfortunately, if this is the case you will not be able to save your batch of JELLO. You will need to start over. Just be certain to follow the instructions exactly as written.
How to fix gelatin that won’t set
If your Jello won’t set because you added one of the fruits listed above then you may be able to save it.
First you will need to pick out all of the fruit from your gelatin mixture. Then return it to the fridge to chill.
Leave your gelatin in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours. By this time your Jello should be set. If it is not, that means too many enzymes were released in your gelatin and you will have to start over.
Tips for making great Jello
When making gelatin it is imperative that you follow the instruction on the box. Each step is needed for your Jello to set properly.
Generally, the steps to making gelatin is to dissolve the powder in boiling water followed by adding the specified amount of cold water.
Then you must allow your mixture to chill for the recommended amount of time. Any deviation from these steps can lead to your Jell-O not setting all the way.
When making Jello avoid using too much salt or lemon juice. You should also not use fruits that inhibit setting such as pineapple, kiwi, and papaya.
Bottom Line
So if your gelatin is not setting because you added fruits that don’t get along with Jello then you may be able to save it. Unfortunately there will be many times where you will have to start the whole process over again.