Canning

As fun as growing food is, preserving makes it stretch the entire year. I write this article in winter, and each day we are opening wonderful canned items. We want to do more root cellaring, but I think there will always be a place in our pantry for a good supply of home-canned food.

For technique, you need to refer to a canning guide for types of foods, duration and pressure. Low acid foods need pressure canning, while acidic foods and fruits can be preserved with the simpler water bath canning process. Suggested times vary with the type of food, processing method and size of the jar.


The canning equipment we have gathered:

1. 2x Water bath canners - holds 7 quart jars at a time
2. We use our kitchen stove, but also have a 2 Burner Propane Stove which really helps move the canning process move along.
3. 2x Pressure Canner - holds 7 quart jars at a time
4. 1000x Glass jars of wide and narrow mouth
5. 1000x Tattler canning lids

I have seen a large wood fired kettle canner (image to right) made from two water heater tanks welded together -- with a total capacity of 50 quarts per fire. I want to make one of these!

You need a supply of glass jars. We watch garage sales, estate sales, and end of season deals at the local stores. Take care that you have checked the rims of used jars. Any nick, even tiny would disqualify the jar. After all of the work of growing the food and then canning it... you do not want to throw it away due to a failed seal and spoilage.

The common metal lid is intended to be disposable. You may get by with reusing the metal lids, but they do wear out, especially with acidic foods. Having a truly reusable canning lid will be a joy. Introducing the Tattler canning lid. This is a plastic lid, and rubber gasket that is made to be reusable many times and for years. We just ordered some of these lids, and I will update this article with some images and our experiences this coming summer.

Selling features of the Tattler reusable lids:

• Made in the USA
• BPA Free
• Indefinitely Reusable
• For water bath or pressure canner
• No food spoilage due to acid corrosion
• F.D.A. approved materials
• Dishwasher safe

Resources:

• Tattler: How do they work? (web)