Home Canning Equipment

The public outcry over the food practices in our country is spurring a renewed interest in home canning...and for good reason! Canning your food at home insures nothing toxic goes into the food you and your family consumes. And it also tastes better! That's a win/win in my books.

Don't let the thought of canning intimidate you. It's not as hard as you may think. You also won't have to invest your life savings to start a home canning operation in your home. In fact, most of the equipment you need you probably already own. Here's a list of both the basic essentials as well as a few other things you might want to pick up as time goes by:

Essentials:

Mason Jars

You can often find these glass canning jars at garage sales for cheap. Run your finger around the rim of the jar (when buying used) to make sure you don't feel any chips or dents. Even the slightest chip will keep your jars from sealing. Most grocery stores sell jars in various sizes by the case during the summer and fall canning seasons. (NOTE: Don't use recycled mayonnaise and other condiment jars for canning--use only mason jars created for the purpose of canning.)

Seal able Jar Lids

While you can buy the jars used and re-use them over and over, jar lids need to be new. These little metal lids have a rubbery band around them that once hot, create the seal between the lid and the jar. If you're buying new jars by the case, these lids will be included. If you're re-using old jars, the lids can be purchased separately and are inexpensive.

Jar Bands or Rings

These metal rings screw down on the jar to create a snug fit between the jar and the lid. They can be re-used and don't have to be purchased new each time. If you find your running short on rings, you can take them off totally cool jars that have already been canned and sealed. You don't have to store them with the bands screwed on. Again, if you're buying new jars by the case, the rings will be included in the package, but you can purchase them separately as well.

Boiling Water Canner

This doesn't have to be as intimidating as it sounds...you can use a big stockpot or other large, deep sauce pot you already own. I canned my own jams and jellies for YEARS before I invested in a water canner (that I found at a yard sale for $5!) The pot you use needs to be large enough to have the jars you're canning completely submerged (with about 2 inches or more of water above the jar tops) and with enough room around the jars that water can move freely).

If you're using a saucepot from your kitchen, it needs to have a properly fitting lid to go with it. You will also need to either buy a wire rack (you can buy them separately in the same section as the jars in most stores) or create a homemade solution yourself so that your jars are not sitting on the bottom of the pot unprotected.

A great homemade solution I used was placing as many jar rings side by side on the bottom of the saucepan as would fit. The jars then sat on top of the rings, creating space between the pot and the jar bottoms.

Kitchen Utensils

Things like measuring cups, wooden spoons (long handled ones work best), ladles, funnels, spatulas, etc.

Non-essentials (but very helpful additions):

Jar Lifter

This tongs-like simple contraption is designed especially for safe jar lifting from boiling water baths when the jars are too hot to touch. Although it's not an essential, it's hard to can without it (I've used regular kitchen tongs before, which are tricky. The wet jars tend to want to slip from your grip and dropping a glass jar full of boiling hot food is something you definitely want to avoid!)

Lid Lifter

This is a little plastic stick with a magnet on the bottom for ease of lifting your jar lids out of the warm water you've got them sitting in while you're canning. This little lifter is totally NOT essential, but very inexpensive and quite slick. I didn't have one for years, but after I got it, I wondered why I didn't spring the 2 bucks a long time ago. I love it!

Bubble Remover and Headspace Tool

If you want to be sure about the headspace you're leaving, there's no better way than measuring it with a specially designed device to get the job done. Some people swear by them, but it's never been something I've used.

Pressure Canner

This is the most expensive investment of the whole canning process, but you can pick one up for less than $75.00 and it will last forever, at least! (I have one passed down from my grandma).

Although I didn't put it in the MUST HAVE section, it is a must have if you plan on canning low-acid things like most vegetables, meats, etc. However, there are many, many recipes you to can that don't need a pressure canner, so it's not essential for all canning. My suggestion is that if you're new to canning, try your hand with the water bath method of canning first before you dive into recipes that require pressure canning.

Kerrie Hubbard lives in Portland, Oregon with 9 chickens, 1 cat and several small raised bed gardens. Her website, City Girl Farming ( http://www.citygirlfarming.com ) is an urban guide to raising and growing your own food in small spaces.

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Canning Equipment - 7 Canning Supplies You Need For Home Canning

Many people may be wondering what canning supplies they will need to begin canning at home. Here are the most important canning supplies.

1. Canning jars - Make sure you get jars that are specially designed for canning. This will ensure the bands and lids fit properly to give you a proper seal and that they will not break under the heat and pressure of a pressure canner.

2. Boiling water canner - If you are canning acid foods such as jams, jellies, fruit and pickled foods you will want a boiling water canner. Make sure it has a canning rack inside along with a lid.

3. Pressure canner - All low acid foods like meats and most vegetables need to be canned in a pressure canner to ensure safe canning. If you plan on canning these types of foods a pressure canner is a must.

4. New lids and bands - Before you start canning always make sure you have enough brand new lids on hand. You do not want to reuse old lids because they will not seal properly. However, you can use bands from year to year. Just inspect the bands to make sure they screw on the jars properly and are not bent or corroded.

5. Jar lifter - A jar lifter is almost the most important piece of canning equipment. It is hard to replace a jar lifter for getting the canning jars out of the hot water.

6. Magnetic lid lifter - A magnetic lid lifter makes it easy to remove lids and bands from hot water when canning.

7. Wide mouth funnel - You may have a regular funnel already at home but a wide mouth funnel is irreplaceable. It sits down in the top of the jar and makes it easy to pour foods and hot liquids into the jar. It also helps keep food off the rim of the jar.

So, as you can see, these seven canning supplies are very important to have before you start your home canning. They will ensure safe and easy canning. 

And if you would like more information about canning and canning supplies please visit our website at [http://www.jrkfamilyoutdoors.com/canning] You can receive 18 free videos that answer many questions about home canning just by signing up for our newsletter.

By: Rhonda Percell - Wife, Mother of 3, and owner of JRK Family Outdoors

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Homemade Canning - The Home Canning Essential Equipment Checklist

Before beginning to can at home, it is important to have the right equipment on hand. There are two types of homemade canning: boiling water canning and high pressure canning. However, aside from the style of pans used for canning, the rest of the supplies are identical.

Essential Supplies Needed for Canning

The following are the supplies and equipment you will need to successfully can meats and produce at home:

Canning jars
Boiling canner
Pressure canner Or Dutch oven
Large kettle to pre-boil equipment in
Jar tongs
Proper canning jars
Canning lids
Lid rims
Wide mouth funnel
Food mill
Food sieve
Colander
Spoons
Heat proof rubber spatulas
Measuring cups
Different sized bowls
Towels
Bakers cooling rack
Knives
Cutting board
Filtered water (preferably also distilled)
Food to can
Waterproof labels and label marker

Use the Right Kind of Canner

A boiling canner is used for high-acid foods such as fruits, jams, tomatoes, pickles, relishes, preserves, and tomato based salsa and sauces. High-acid foods only need to be brought up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature of boiling water, for the specific time specified in the recipe.

A high-pressure canner is used for low-acid foods such as vegetables, meats, grains, noodles, and low acid sauces. These low-acid foods need to be brought to a temperature of 240 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit for the time specified in the recipe.

With either type of canning, it is important to carefully follow the directions for the type of food being canned to ensure quality and food safety.

The Importance of the Right Jars and Lids

It is important to only use jars purchased for canning. Standard canning jars are tempered, and the mouth is specially threaded for canning at home. Do not reuse jars which originally housed store-bought foods, these are not tempered for the canning process and may crack or explode when boiled or pressure canned or even while being handled.

Use flat lids with screw bands made specifically for the brand of canning jars purchased. Do not reuse the flat lid part or reused jar lids from store-bought foods as these may not seal properly and will allow bacteria and spoilage of the food canned.

Carefully inspect the jars for chips or cracks, especially around the rim of the mouth and discard any cracked or chipped jars. Also, carefully inspect the lids for rust or damage and discard any lids with cracks in the rubber seal, a non-existent rubber seal, rust, dings or bends. These lids may not seal correctly and allow for food spoilage.

Other Canning Equipment Needed

When purchasing other canning equipment, use products that are made for home canning, especially when it comes to the pan inserts used to keep the jars upright and the tongs used to remove hot jars from the pans. Not having essential equipment can cause the jars to fall over during the canning process and get water in them. Not having the proper jar tongs can lead to burns or dropped and broken jars.

Other than purchasing replacement jars for broken or chipped jars and purchasing new flat-lids, the rest of the equipment is a one-time purchase and is really an investment. Once purchased, it can be reused multiple times.

Getting the proper equipment before beginning the homemade canning process is indeed a must to save time and money.

Want to learn how to preserve your own food through the home canning method?

With the costs of canned food rising, and the urge to be self-sufficient by growing, home canning is making a resurgence in today's society. Homemade canning is a most enjoyable experience to save money and eat healthier.

Learn how to can your food and get a fully illustrated e-Book of 120 recipes at http://homemadecanning.com.

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Home Canning Supplies and Equipment - The Proper Equipment Needed For Successful Home Canning

I love canning food. I use pressure canning and also boiling-water bath methods for preserving our garden harvests, depending on what type of food is being processed. There are certain items that comprise your arsenal of home canning supplies and make the job much easier.

First of all, you need a canner. I personally use an All American Pressure Canner manufactured by the Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry. I love the wing nut locking system of this particular canner. I've owned some other pressure cookers and canners that had a plastic gasket seal. The seals eventually crack and wear out, requiring replacement.

With the wing nut system, there are no gaskets to replace. Just be sure to keep all of your canner parts together so you do not lose them, such as your pressure regulator, your pressure gauge, the wing nuts, etc. A pressure cooker or canner without a vent regulator is useless, but the part is very small and easy to lose. I keep the loose parts inside of the canner in storage so that the parts are always there.

You need home canning jars that are designed for this purpose. Some glass will crack under high heat, so purchase Mason, Kerr or Ball glass canning jars made specifically for pressure or boiling bath canning.

You will need metal lids and screw bands. The metal seal lids should be used only once and discarded when the contents are consumed. The screw bands can be used over and over again. The screw bands are removed after the contents cool and the vacuum seal is achieved, and the filled canning jars are stored with the metal lid only.

Equipment and utensils should be made of stainless steel or anodized aluminum. Avoid copper, brass, cast iron, and galvanized zinc as these materials react with salts and acids in the foods.

A typical equipment array might include:

o Colander

o Heavy duty pots and saucepans

o Knives, cutting board, potato or vegetable peeler

o Ladle and spoons (heat resistant)

o Measuring spoons and cups in various sizes

o Large sized mixing bowl capable of several quarts

o Funnel designed specifically for a jar

o Magnetic lid wand

o Kitchen tongs

o Dry kitchen towels

o Non-metal spatula (for removing air bubbles)

o Jar lifter (this is a very handle tool for safely removing jars from hot boiling water)

o Cheesecloth

o Strainer

o Thermometer (I use a candy thermometer)

o Labels (often included in boxes of canning jars)

o Permanent marker

o Spice bag (handy but I often make mine from muslin or cheesecloth)

o Accurate kitchen timer

o Kitchen scales

o Journal or notebook for recording recipes, making notes, etc.

There are other tools that make the job of home canning easier, depending on the types of food you plan to process. Food mills, grinders, jelly bags, slicers, blenders, corers, pitters, and other items can make your job much easier.

There are canning accessory sets available that are very affordable and contain most of the common items you need when you hot process foods. Home canning supplies are necessary to perform the job successfully and safely. These utensils and equipment usually last for years with proper care, so a wise small investment in the beginning is highly recommended.

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Laura Brown is an experienced ghostwriter and professional freelance author. She also enjoys gardening and cooking. You can find some delicious recipes and gardening tips on her website, http://www.theranchersdaughter.com along with a lot of useful information on gardening, cooking, flowers, and living in the country. Learn more about home canning supplies at Laura's website.

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