Canning = How to get started?

[IdahoMom]

The canning recipes on here are so awesome, I would just love to try them ALL. Only problem is I have never canned before. How do you get started? If I buy a canner and a pressure cooker and some jars, will I be good to go? Any tips? Or best books? (Canning for Dummies?) In the past I usually freeze stuff, but this would sure be better in a power out situation.

Thanks for any/all advice :)

[janetn]

The Ball Blue Book is the Bible of canning. It can be had used on Ebay or at Amazon. Your going to need canning salt and a good set of tongs. Other than that some time :D

[SheWoff]

Wow, where to start...humm. Get the Ball Blue Book and read through it. Right in the first few pages it will explain canning (better than I could do it here) and what kinds of supplies you will need to have before you start. I would hold off on the pressure cooker...you would need a pressure canner instead if you want to process things such as meats, corn, green beans, etc... but the Blue Book will explain that well.

After you read it over, if you have any more questions, just ask! :D

She

[Southwind]

I highly recommend "The Food lover's Guide to Canning" (Rich and Crawford). It has more detailed instructions and good picture, i.e., this picture is what it should look like, this is wrong.
Get a used copy from Amazon.

[Buttercup]

Canning is relatively easy and sorta fun actually.

(The best investment I've made in a while was my pressure canner...used it today as a matter of fact...my sister and mom were cleaning out their freezers and gave me a boatload of meat! They'd only had it about 6 months! Ha!)

High acid foods (such as tomatos) and jams/jellies do not require a pressure canner...only a water bath. These might be a good starter project for you. For doing jams, there are usually good recipes/ how-to instructions inside the boxes of pectin you will want to buy for the job.

[momof23goats]

The best book on the market, is the blue ball canning book, complete with pictures, and simple instructions, that any one can follow. I do most of my canning in my pressure canner.
the farm stores usually get them in in the spring. and walmart has them also. and they will have a canning book in them also. but your best thing is buying a blue ball canning book. many stores have them.with the canning supplies. the stores will start getting them in soon.

[kelee877]

does anyone have a link or url to a good book place to get this book..I am not able to find it anywhere here in Ontario..we even tried Toronto..maybe not canning like they use to here...

I have the canning jars and a brand new fancy pressure cooker/canner and I am just waiting to use it...DH just brough home 5 big roasts and we have bought about 12 large pork roasts..they a can home...help please

[just me]

Amazon has it listed. If you do a google on it, lots of places come up.

[kelee877]

Amazon has it listed. If you do a google on it, lots of places come up.

Thank You...I tried that and they won,t deliver to Canada

[momof23goats]

I pm'ed you directions for canning up your meat. good luck.

[kelee877]

Thank You mom....as I pmed back after the major prep run, we will get started....

[just me]

I got curious and did another google for the Ball Blue Book and Canada and there is an Amazon.ca I learned something tonight :)

Here is the link http://www.amazon.ca/Ball-Blue-Book-of-Preserving/dp/0972753702

[Liberty]

Even Walmart has the Ball Blue Books around here. Local bookstores too.
Don't waste any time. Get started now!

[momof23goats]

those books are going to go fast, so if you see them , get them. I have a feeling there will be a run on those as well as canning supplies.

[janetn]

You can never have to many lids, or canning salt :D

[SheWoff]

You can never have to many lids, or canning salt :D

Or jars either. You can use old mayo jars to can in. I keep those for water bath canning and use the others for pressure canning. Just make sure they mayo jars are of the older, thicker glass...not the newer thin walled ones and you should be fine.

She

[Buttercup]

I've been doing some canning the past few days and realized I need lots more lids if I'm going to have enough for my garden this year...which I pray is successful...we had not enough rain last summer...the garden was a flop!

Oh...and make sure you label your cans with a date...that way you keep them rotated...eating the oldest ones first.

Happy canning! :D

[teadrinker]

Hi kelee,

I just bought a new canning book this past spring. It is called Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving.
It is not the BLue Book one, this is a hard covered book. It has so many recipes in it, it is amazing.

But the one thing is it is from Canada. Published by: Robert Rose Inc.
120 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P1E2
(Tel) 416-322-6552
I bought it through a book club but I have also seen them at Farm & Fleet stores in my area. That is a farm supply store.
The book is written for both the USA and Canada.
Many of the recipes have information strickly for canadians. The book is wonderful and is much bigger then the original Ball Blue Book.(which I also have)
Perhaps you can call the co. and find out where it is sold in your neck of the woods.

teadrinker

[kelee877]

I am on my way upstairs to get started..

Thank You to Momof23 for all her encouragement and helpfull advice...

Now pray i don,t blow the house up :? .

[momof23goats]

your right on that.

[IdahoMom]

I have been searching online but it seems as if it is off season for a canner? Off to try Amazon for some books, jars, and lids too. Thanks so much ladies, it is deeply appreciated. :)

[momof23goats]

I am on my way upstairs to get started..

Thank You to Momof23 for all her encouragement and helpful advice...

Now pray i don,t blow the house up :? .

well we haven't heard that your house has blown up, s o I think your canning was a success. which is great. :D

[Buttercup]

Well I was canning pumpkin and beef and bread today and two of my cans didn't seal... :? That REALLY frustrates me! :x I feel like I've wasted a couple of lids, plus all the time and effort. It was a can of pumpkin and a can of beef. :(

Why does that bother me so bad? I don't know.

[momof23goats]

Buttercup, it happens, take the lids off, and clean the jar top again. and dry it really well. now put a new lid and ring on and re can.just reprocess. and I am sorry it happened.

[kelee877]

Well I was canning pumpkin and beef and bread today and two of my cans didn't seal... :? That REALLY frustrates me! :x I feel like I've wasted a couple of lids, plus all the time and effort. It was a can of pumpkin and a can of beef. :(

Why does that bother me so bad? I don't know.

are,nt those the chefs try me ones :D insta lunch for al the hard work you have done

[Buttercup]

Thanks for the encouragement. I feel better about it this A.M. I guess I'm doing pretty good considering the great number of cans which HAVE sealed.

[SheWoff]

Thanks for the encouragement. I feel better about it this A.M. I guess I'm doing pretty good considering the great number of cans which HAVE sealed.

There ya go! Just focus on the good job you have done with all the others. Consider the other few that didn't seal as "rebels" that need just a little more TLC. Not sure how many jars you did altogether. But if you just had 2 out of a couple of batches that didn't seal, that's a pretty good rate!

Idaho Mom....when you figure out what you want to can...come back here an ask some ???. A few of us here will be able to just about walk you through it and if you need someone to do just that, I'm sure you could call one of us on the phone and we will try to help you that way too. :D I'd love to come show ya how, but Idaho is a tad bit away from TN. Maybe someone closer to her? Just a thought...

She

[teadrinker]

Just thought I would post this bit of information......

In that new Ball Blue book I was writing about in the recipes for canning meat, beef stew etc. it says to take a paper towel and put vinegar on it to wipe off the jar tops before you put the lid on. It says that vinegar takes all the fat off the rim. Much better then a wet cloth.

I tried it. I thought maybe that is a good idea.

teadrinker

[kelee877]

WOOHOO>.....I scored a couple of canning books at the used store....they are;

freezing and canning book by farm Journal and the second one is The complete book of home preserving bydoubleday...

hey any port in a storm and the reciepes look good....

oh and p.s I have more hiddy pictures for anyone interested(places you would not normally think of to hide preps) just pm pass the word along for those with not much space and they are worried about getting in more preps...

[IdahoMom]

I wasn internet shopping and every place that had canning jars wanted at least $10.00 case for shipping :!:

I went to our local Goodwill...

I found a cannner that will hold 8 jars for $3.99 and....
42 wide mouth jars for .40 each!!!

Went to Ace Hardware to get some lids and rings and found the BALL BLUE BOOK.

I am so excited! I am washing/sterilizing everything and tomorrow I by gosh am going to find something to can :)

One thing I think I saw, but don't quite understand,,,,Do I really need a pressure canner for the non-acidic things?? If so does anyone have any reccommendations?? Brand or size wize.

Thank-you all so much!

[SheWoff]

I wasn internet shopping and every place that had canning jars wanted at least $10.00 case for shipping :!:

I went to our local Goodwill...

I found a cannner that will hold 8 jars for $3.99 and....
42 wide mouth jars for .40 each!!!

Went to Ace Hardware to get some lids and rings and found the BALL BLUE BOOK.

I am so excited! I am washing/sterilizing everything and tomorrow I by gosh am going to find something to can :)

One thing I think I saw, but don't quite understand,,,,Do I really need a pressure canner for the non-acidic things?? If so does anyone have any reccommendations?? Brand or size wize.

Thank-you all so much!

Congrats on your good finds! As for the pressure canner...yes you really do need one for the low acid foods such as green beans, corn, meats. It is the only safe way to can these items. One of the most populare canners is the All American #921 http://www.allamericancanner.com/allamerican921pressurecanner.htm It has a gauge and weights for measuring the right pounds of pressure and it has no rubber gaskets to wear out. I have the Mirro right now about the same size, and I am having to spend 25.00 every two years to get the new gasket. The gaskets are what hold the seal so your canner builds up to pressure. The all american is a little pricey and sometimes you can catch them used on ebay, in a thrift store or garage sales cheaper. Some other places also sell them cheaper new than their site does. It just takes a little looking around to find one.

She

[momof23goats]

I would love the all american, they have a new great big one out, and i would sure like to have it.

[IdahoMom]

The All American is beautiful. I asked my husband if it could be my birthday present or can we work something out? I told him how it could can and save cooking time, and our oldest daughter would probably love to can too. I even told him it would probably pay for itself at some point, he likes those kind of things. He said well, there's some motorcycle parts I been wanting...So we made a deal and I GOT IT. The ship date isn't until Jan 23-24 so who knows how long it will take, but I am so excited can you tell?

I also found the Food Lovers Guide to Canning for $4.83. Thanks so much for the reccommendations. I just can't wait to get started!

[momof23goats]

NOW that is a deal for sure. i am eyeing the income tax money. hubby is thinking along different lines than i am , for sure. I am thinking one of these, and the big berkey, and a new front gate. he is thinking furnace. so we shall see.

[SheWoff]

The All American is beautiful. I asked my husband if it could be my birthday present or can we work something out? I told him how it could can and save cooking time, and our oldest daughter would probably love to can too. I even told him it would probably pay for itself at some point, he likes those kind of things. He said well, there's some motorcycle parts I been wanting...So we made a deal and I GOT IT. The ship date isn't until Jan 23-24 so who knows how long it will take, but I am so excited can you tell?

I also found the Food Lovers Guide to Canning for $4.83. Thanks so much for the reccommendations. I just can't wait to get started!

WooHoo! I am so happy for you! What a wonderful investment you are making in helping to secure your families future! My hats off to you and all of you here making the important jump to learning how to put up your own foods! You will find things taste way better than store bought this way. Imagine popping open a jar of whole canned tomatoes and the smell of summer with tomatoes ripening on the vine hitting you in the nose. :) Or feeding your families home canned chili that isn't full of preservatives and additives that you have no idea what they are or where they came from!

When you get your canner and you read the book that comes with it and are ready to go, let us know and we will help you through it if you need us!

She

[momof23goats]

we sure will, we have lots of gals here that are old pros at canning, and we will be glad to help you all. this is great. now when i go to town tomorrow, I am looking for butter, and cheese. I have got to get it all canned up also.

[fruit loop]

Check Amazon and eBay for canning books. Don't buy them new. You can buy them cheaper via eBay or even third party through Amazon.

Better Homes and Gardens "Canning and Freezing", published in 1984, is long out of print but still available through both Amazon and eBay. It's full of terrific canning recipes, and recipes to use with your canned foods.

Amendt's "Blue Ribbon Preserves" is another good one.

NEVER BUY JARS NEW. Put an ad in the Want To Buy section of your newspaper. You will get so many calls that you have to turn people away.