What Do I need to Can with?

We've had many ask us if we will teach a class on canning this year. Our plan is to do that in July sometime, just before the big 'canning season' starts. We'll soon be putting up a link where you can sign up for the class ahead of time. In the meantime, I realized that now is the time to start to prepare for canning. By shopping ahead, at garage sales, auctions, flea markets, or Goodwill, you should be able to get all your supplies at a much discounted rate.

Here is a list of what to watch for and if you have any other ques

tions, please feel free to send them over.

To process fruits, jams, pickles, salsa, juices, you need a hot water canner.

These last for years, unless they leak there really isn't alot that can be wrong with them. A complete one would come with a round wire rack inside that would hold 7 jars. There are two different sizes, one is taller than the other, but both would work fine for canning quart size jars. Prices will vary, but the range is about 18.00-50.00. Often you'll see them at sales for a few dollars. Even if they are a little rusty inside, it doesn't matter.

The tools that are handy to have would be a wide mouth funnel, a magnetic lid lifter, a jar lifter, and tongs. You CAN do without these, but they certainly make the job easier. On line I find a set for about 12.00.

Canning Jars are a must. They are readily available at garage sales...

often for 1.00-2.00 per dozen. Just m

ake sure that they are not chipped or cracked. You can get the Ball or Kerr brand, although even mayonaise jars work fine in a water bath canner for fruit. Depending on the amount you'll be canning, this is one area to prepare for. We can easily put up 100 jars worth of fruit in a year. Sounds like a huge amount, but once you get going, it'll be so much fun that you'll be calling around begging for jars! Keep your eye out. Most often a quart size jar is what you need for a family size amount of peaches, pears, applesauce. Pints are good for singles or couples, and the half pints are best for jams, pickled garlic, etc.

If you find a pressure cooker, you can add that to your supplies as an added luxuary. You need these for canning low acid vegetables, like green beans, and meats. The pressure cooker includes the pot, the locking on cover with a guage on it, a removeable gasket inside the cover (which can be purchased if it's cracked or broken) and a air vent cover ( a small cover that fits on top of the little stem on the lid of the pot. Once you see it you'll know what I'm talking about.) These are much more expensive than the other equiptment, running anywhere from 60.00-175.00. It's not a 'must have', but if you find one cheap enough... grab it! If nothing else, grab it and resell it!

If you don't want to spend your time looking for them at rummage sales, try Craigslist.com in the wanted section. Many people have canned over the years and now their families are grown and gone so they are selling jars. I'm sure when canning season comes around, jars will be hard to find this year. Many are planting gardens and are getting back to 'diy' (do it yourself). Get a jump on them by looking around today.