A popular preserving method is canning. Canning heats the food, kills any microorganisms and creates a seal on a glass jar. Here is canning 101 or as I like to call it, canning for beginners. Learn about canning equipment, canning safety tips as well as canning dos and don’ts. Simple steps for canning success.
Canning 101. Simple steps for canning success.
Canning Equipment Basics
- Canning Jars Be sure they are canning jars. Glass jars do not = canning jar.
- Lids. These can not be reused from batch to batch. Get new lids.
- Rings These are used to keep the lids tight to the jars are they process in the hot water bath.
- Wide-Mouth Funnel Great for getting your product IN the jar…not on the counter
- Lid Wand This is essential for safely getting the sterilized lids on the jars with out burning your finger tips!
- Ladle Needed to get your hot water, pickling liquid or juice in the jars. (A heat safe mug can be used in a pinch)
- Clean Cloth These are used to wipe the rim of the jar before the lid is applied.
- Large Pot A large pot that can accomidate canning jars PLUS 1-2 inches of water.
- Tongs or Jar Lifters ESSENTIAL for getting the jars out of the simmering water.
Simple steps to water bath canning.
- Sterilize the jars
- Cut produce and fill the jars
- Fill with boiling water, pickling liquid or juice.
- Wipe jar rims, add a FRESH lid and a ring.
- Process in a hot water bath for the recommended time.
- Remove from the water bath.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Check for loose lids.
Canning Benefits:
- Less wasted food.
- No preservatives.
- You can customize your flavors.
- Saves money.
- Delicious food!
Home canning tips and cautions from Ball Brand Canning
Home canning is one part art and a whole lot of science. Safety is of the utmost importance when canning. Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to home canning. These tips come right from Ball Jar.
Canning Preparation Tips
- Follow a tested/approved recipe for home canning.
- Follow a tested/approved recipe completely.
- Hand wash closures.
- Clean jars prior to use.
- Make sure your canning pot is tall enough to cover the jars by 1-2 inches of water.
- Use the appropriate canner for your stovetop.
- Use a canning rack, trivet, or bands to place the jars on top of in the pot/canner.
Canning Safety Tips
- Place hot jars on a towel or wooden cutting board to fill. (It keeps them from shifting)
- Remove one jar, fill jar, then place jar into canner before filling the next jar.
- Measure your headspace according to what’s indicated in the recipe.
- Remove air bubbles with a plastic utensil.
Canning Lid and Ring Safety Information
- Wipe the rim of the jar with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove food particles.
- Use a two-piece closure.
- Adjust the band to finger-tip tight.
- Adjust processing time for altitude.
- Start the processing time when the water begins to boil or pressure achieved.
- Allow jars to cool in canner for 5 minutes after processing before removing.
- Place preserved jars on a towel or wooden cutting board spaced 1-2in apart to cool.
Safety Tips For Storing Canned Goods
- Allow jars to cool for 12-24 hours before checking the seal.
- Remove band, ensure lid is concave, & verify the lid is sealed before storing.
- Clean jar prior to storing.
- Store jars in a cool/dry/dark location between 50-70 degrees.
- Use freezer-safe jars when freezing. (Tapered)
Canning Preparation Don’ts
- Use an outdated recipe or untested recipe.
- Alter recipe ingredients, processing method, or processing time.
- Use a jar size larger than indicated in the recipe.
- Clean closures in a dishwasher.
- Use jars straight from the case.
- Use a pot that is too small for your jars.
- Assume you can preserve on all stove-tops.
Canning Safety Don’ts
- Place the jars directly on the bottom of the pot/canner.
- Place hot food in room temperature jars.
- Place hot jars on a cool counter-top or anything metal.
- Assembly line fill your jars. (Aka fill them all at the same time.)
- Guess on the headspace.
- Forget to remove air bubbles or use a metal utensil to remove air bubbles.
Canning Lid and Ring Safety Don’ts
- Forget to wipe the rim.
- Use antique or one-piece closures.
- Crank the band on the jar super tight.
- Forget to adjust processing time for altitude.
- Start processing time when the last jar is loaded into the pot/canner.
- Remove jars immediately after processing or force pressure to come down.
- Don’t place hot jars directly onto a counter top or metal surface.
Cautions For Storing Canned Goods
- Don’t forget to check your seal.
- Don’t forget to wipe the jar down before storing.
- Store jars in very hot or very cold locations is not advisable.
- Use jars that are not freezer-safe when freezing. (Jars with “shoulders”)
Additional note: These are basic steps and more specific steps would be taken depending on what is being canned.
Canning on a glass top stove tip:
- Ensure the glass stovetop is safe for home canning.
- Use a pot that is completely smooth on the bottom & will come in complete contact with the heating element.
- The bottom of the pot must not exceed the burner by more than 1 inch.
All the supplies that you will need for water bath canning. Ready to serve in less than 10 minutes this delicious homemade blueberry syrup can be made with your choice of fresh or frozen blueberries. Homemade Pear Sauce is just like applesauce but made with fresh pears! Add additional layers of flavor with cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon and vanilla to personalize your sauce. This corn relish recipe is a delicious combination of corn kernels, red and green bell peppers, celery, onions, vinegar, sugar and spices simmered to marry these fresh flavors together. If you are a fan of pickled vegetables, you have to try out my family recipe for homemade pickled beets. With just six ingredients, this simple recipe comes together in less than an hour and is ready for it first tasting in 24 hours. These red beets are perfect for topping on a salad, serving as a side dish or taking to a summer picnic. My easy sour cherry pie filling recipe will have your cooking like your grandma. If you are looking for a homemade cherry pie filling with no cornstarch this is the cherry pie filling for you! This homemade sour cherry pie filling is perfect for cherry pies, cherry tarts, cherry bars and even sneaking a spoonful out of the fridge in the middle of the night. This is the best homemade seedless black raspberry jam recipe made with fresh or frozen black raspberries. Try this rhubarb orange chutney recipe is perfect addition to any charcuterie board this easy chutney recipe is a delicious balance of savory, sweet and spice. This homemade habanero salsa recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and heat thanks to the addition of plums. This is the best homemade blueberry jam recipe made with fresh or frozen blueberries. There is also a low sugar recipe option for this small batch blueberry jam that is equally as delicious. Easy salsa verde canning recipe and water bath canning instructions. By canning salsa verde you can enjoy your favorite green salsa all year long. When your garden is overflowing with ripe tomatoes, it is the perfect time to make homemade tomato paste. This tomato paste recipe has only three ingredients and there are two options for storing the tomato paste. Once you know how to make homemade tomato paste, store bought will no longer be an option for you. Making bourbon cherries at home is an easy DIY recipe project to stock your bar cart or to give as a hostess gift. I found these to be the best bourbon cherries and everyone always asks for my bourbon cherries recipe. It is up to you how many bourbon soaked cherries you will use to garnish your cocktail. I won't tell! One of my favorite ways to preserve fresh strawberries is to make this homemade strawberry jam recipe with sure jell. This is the hot water bath canning method. I use this method because I have more shelf space than freezer space! The canning process is super simple and a great way to try your hand at canning. This is the easiest pickled banana peppers recipe. These are the best pickled banana peppers because they are crips, spicy and ready in hours instead of days. Canning crisp banana peppers has never been this quick or this delicious! Use your leftover corn cobs and make old school corn cob jelly. The sweet corn kissed jelly adds a layer of sweet corn flavor to your favorite biscuits, corn bread, pancakes or what ever you like!Canning Supply List
Ball Preserving Starter Kit, 9-Piece
Ball Canning Funnel (Assorted Colors)
Stainless Steel Ladle
Kitchen Towels
Bubble Popper \ Head Space Measurer
Glass Mason Jar with Lid and Band, Wide Mouth, 32 Ounce, (12Count)
Ball Regular Mouth Pint 16-oz Mason Jar with Lids and Bands (Pack of 24)
(2 Packs) Ball Mason Wide Mouth Half Pint Jars - 8oz - 4 Jars Per Box - Total 8 Jars
Jar Lids
Canning Jar Lifter
More Canning Recipes
Blueberry Syrup
Pear Sauce Recipe
Corn Relish Recipe
Pickled Red Beets
Sour Cherry Pie Filling
Seedless Black Raspberry Jam Recipe
Orange Rhubarb Chutney Recipe
Plum Habanero Salsa Recipe
Blueberry Jam
Easy salsa verde
Homemade Tomato Paste
Bourbon Cherries
Strawberry Jam Made With Sure Jell.
Spicy Pickled Banana Peppers
Corn Cob Jelly
For more techniques and recipes for canning be sure to visit the canning section of the blog
this post originally appeared Aug 22, 2014