Want to try your hand at canning but think it's too complicated? It's really not, and the best way to learn is to jump right in and start. That's what I did, and now I am really enjoying it.
For beginners, I recommend starting with water bath canning. This method is nothing more than a way of preserving food in boiling water (212 degrees) in a large pot made of aluminum or porcelain-covered steel. While the jars are boiling the process kills micro-organisms and forces air out. The cooling process creates a vacuum seal.
For beginners, I recommend starting with water bath canning. This method is nothing more than a way of preserving food in boiling water (212 degrees) in a large pot made of aluminum or porcelain-covered steel. While the jars are boiling the process kills micro-organisms and forces air out. The cooling process creates a vacuum seal.
This method is safe for high acidic foods only, so for this reason, stick wiith foods such as pickles, fruits, jellies, jams, and tomatoes. If you want to preserve veggies that are low in acid you will have to process them to 240 degrees (unless pickling), which requires a pressure cooker. This method traps steam which allows for a higher temperature.
Water bath canners come with a fitted lid and a wire rack. My local grocery store carries them for $20.00. You will need a few canning tools to aid in handling hot jars, etc. These are ususally sold in sets and are also very reasonable. Canning jars can be purchased at the grocery store or a builder's supply store.
Now that you know the basics, let's get started!
Gather up all your equipment. The first thing you are going to want to do is sterilize your jars. You can do this by boiling them, but I just run them through a "sanitize" cycle in the dishwasher. Make sure there aren't any chips on the rims so they will seal correctly.
Lids come in two pieces: a flat lid and a screw band. Cover the flat lids in water on the stove and warm them up. Do not bring the water to a boil. Keep the lids warm until you are ready to use them.
Fill the canner with enough water to cover your jars by one to two inches. Preheat the water to 140 degrees for cold packed food (raw) and 180 degrees for hot packed food (precooked).
Prepare food according to your recipe. You are going to want to handle one jar at a time. Using your funnel, pack your jar, leaving 1/2" of head space at the top. Take a plastic knife and run it down the insides of your jar to release any air bubbles. Wipe off the top of the rim to make sure you get a good seal. Using a magnetic lid lifter, lift a flat lid from the warm water, and place it on the jar. Screw the band on snuggly but not overly tight. Using the jar lifter, place the jar in the canner, and cover the canner with its lid. Repeat the process until all the jars are in the canner. Process times can vary so go according to your recipe. Start timing once the water reaches a rolling boil.
When done processing, turn off heat, remove lid, and let the jars sit for five minutes before taking them out of the canner. Using the jar lifter, carefully lift jars out (away from you), and place them on a towel. Do not place them on a cold surface, or they may crack. Leave the jars to cool, undisturbed, overnight. You may hear the popping sound of your jars sealing.
Make sure you have a good seal. The middle of the flat lid should be inverted and not move up or down when slightly pressed on. Take the screw bands off and wash and dry your jars to remove any residue. You can store them with or without the screw bands. Make sure you label your jars with dates, and store them in a cool, dry place.
You can reuse your jars, but you must always use new flat lids.
Note: If any of your jars did not seal you can reprocess them using new flat lids, or refrigerate for immediate use. Never eat any food with a broken seal or you suspect is spoiled.
I hope you will try your hand at canning. After putting up a few batches of homemade jam you will feel like an old pro!
A word of caution: Most manufacturers do not recommend canning on a ceramic stove top, as they may crack. My solution to this dilemma was to buy an electric turkey fryer. I purchased the Cajun Injector which is digital so I can easily adjust the temperature for cold or hot packed foods, accordingly. It came with a large, handled basket and has a drain spout for convenience. I use it on my kitchen island, and it works perfectly for canning (it can also be used for seafood boils and deep frying turkeys, of course)!
Water bath canners come with a fitted lid and a wire rack. My local grocery store carries them for $20.00. You will need a few canning tools to aid in handling hot jars, etc. These are ususally sold in sets and are also very reasonable. Canning jars can be purchased at the grocery store or a builder's supply store.
Now that you know the basics, let's get started!
Gather up all your equipment. The first thing you are going to want to do is sterilize your jars. You can do this by boiling them, but I just run them through a "sanitize" cycle in the dishwasher. Make sure there aren't any chips on the rims so they will seal correctly.
Lids come in two pieces: a flat lid and a screw band. Cover the flat lids in water on the stove and warm them up. Do not bring the water to a boil. Keep the lids warm until you are ready to use them.
Fill the canner with enough water to cover your jars by one to two inches. Preheat the water to 140 degrees for cold packed food (raw) and 180 degrees for hot packed food (precooked).
Prepare food according to your recipe. You are going to want to handle one jar at a time. Using your funnel, pack your jar, leaving 1/2" of head space at the top. Take a plastic knife and run it down the insides of your jar to release any air bubbles. Wipe off the top of the rim to make sure you get a good seal. Using a magnetic lid lifter, lift a flat lid from the warm water, and place it on the jar. Screw the band on snuggly but not overly tight. Using the jar lifter, place the jar in the canner, and cover the canner with its lid. Repeat the process until all the jars are in the canner. Process times can vary so go according to your recipe. Start timing once the water reaches a rolling boil.
When done processing, turn off heat, remove lid, and let the jars sit for five minutes before taking them out of the canner. Using the jar lifter, carefully lift jars out (away from you), and place them on a towel. Do not place them on a cold surface, or they may crack. Leave the jars to cool, undisturbed, overnight. You may hear the popping sound of your jars sealing.
Make sure you have a good seal. The middle of the flat lid should be inverted and not move up or down when slightly pressed on. Take the screw bands off and wash and dry your jars to remove any residue. You can store them with or without the screw bands. Make sure you label your jars with dates, and store them in a cool, dry place.
You can reuse your jars, but you must always use new flat lids.
Note: If any of your jars did not seal you can reprocess them using new flat lids, or refrigerate for immediate use. Never eat any food with a broken seal or you suspect is spoiled.
I hope you will try your hand at canning. After putting up a few batches of homemade jam you will feel like an old pro!
A word of caution: Most manufacturers do not recommend canning on a ceramic stove top, as they may crack. My solution to this dilemma was to buy an electric turkey fryer. I purchased the Cajun Injector which is digital so I can easily adjust the temperature for cold or hot packed foods, accordingly. It came with a large, handled basket and has a drain spout for convenience. I use it on my kitchen island, and it works perfectly for canning (it can also be used for seafood boils and deep frying turkeys, of course)!
Basic Canning Tools Water Bath Canner Electric Turkey Fryer
Preserving the Bounty
By Miss Lady Bug
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