Sterilizing with a big pot works, though apparently it's not as effective, though I think the difference is not so big that it's worth spending any real money on it, especially if you're just trying it out.

What I did was cover the bottom of the pot with a clean washcloth, poured in enough water that maybe about an inch of the jars were covered, put the jars in and put the lid on the pot. I put it on low heat, enough that it would simmer, and left it for about one and a half hour.

I got no contaminated jars, out of the six I did.