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I don't know how to pickle cayenne and jalapeno peppers. I tried putting them in a mason jar w/ vinegar. They didn't last too long because the top rust. I don't know what 'brine' mean and I don't know what 'water bath' mean.

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    Have you seen nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_06/pickled_hot_peppers.html ? Note the several boiling steps. BTW: brine = salt+water. "water bath" is just a typically heated container of water you put other containers in. You're probably seeing it in relation to canning, which is explained at the two links on that page.
    – derobert
    Nov 3, 2013 at 5:01
  • Here is another good link (PDF) with instructions learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/B2267.PDF
    – derobert
    Nov 3, 2013 at 5:36
  • If you aren't aiming specifically at pickling but at long-term storage in general, drying hot peppers is much more popular - they actually significantly gain spiciness in the process.
    – SF.
    Nov 3, 2013 at 22:54

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Peppers do well as a "refrigerated pickle" meaning that they don't need to be cooked at all (or brined in advance, or exposed to a water bath). Just pack the clean jar with your peppers and add anywhere from 50%-100% vinegar (the rest water) brought to a boil. They will be fine as long as you don't expect the pickles to last more than about a month. If your lid reacts to the acid, just put a layer of plastic wrap between the lid and the jar. Of course, pickles made like this do need to be kept refrigerated. Salt, sugar, garlic cloves and whole spices are commonly added. Dissolve any salt and sugar in the vinegar, other additives can just be thrown in the jar with the peppers. You can cut up the peppers any way you like or keep them whole. Here's a typical recipe, but the possibilities are endless: http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2013/08/sweet-and-spicy-pickled-peppers.html

EDIT: I should note that "anywhere from 50%-100% vinegar" assumes a vinegar of at least 5% acidity. To expect your peppers to last a month under refrigeration, aim for at least 3% acidity of the "pickle juice". Salt helps too, try to use non-iodized, some people taste a bitterness in pickles made with iodized salt.

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