Canning?

jjphoto on 3/25/2010, 3:38 pm

If you knew absolutely zilch about canning (me and the wife), how would you go about learning? We'd like to use this year to experiment with it, then next year plant a lot more produce in order to store.

boffer on 3/25/2010, 3:46 pm

A couple years ago, we learned from the Ball Blue Book (makers of the jars, etc) that was $5.95. And, a thirty year old hardcover book from a garage sale. Plus, lot's of info on the net. We didn't know anybody to ask advice of, so it was all book learnin'.

Haven't poisoned ourselves yet!

camprn on 3/25/2010, 3:56 pm

+ 1 on the Blue Book!!!

This is not from Ball but you may want to try this link: http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/

Botulism can be deadly. Please, please please, do not use recipes older than 1988. It is worth every penny when you buy the new jars. Follow directions and keep everything clean.

Contacting your County Extension Service Agent is also a good way to network in your area with folks that know how to put up food.
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/

camprn on 3/25/2010, 4:28 pm

This has got some awesome & easy pickle recipes. My favorites, Dilly beans and the Bread & Butters. YUM!!! Very Happy

http://www.amazon.com/Putting-Up-Honey-Preserving-Cookbook/dp/0930356136

boffer on 3/25/2010, 4:38 pm

I second the dilly beans (from the blue book) and the crock pickles sure make me pucker! mmmmm good

chocolatepop on 3/25/2010, 6:23 pm

Most places have a preserving book right in the canning section. also, contact your local extension office, they always have tons of information. Or there is "canning for dummies" also Wink

It is really easy, i promise!

jjphoto on 3/25/2010, 6:24 pm

camprn wrote:
Botulism can be deadly.

Eegad... that's enough to scare me off of this project.

chocolatepop on 3/25/2010, 6:35 pm

don't be scared off!! Its really easy just follow the recipe!!!!!!!!!!!

SirTravers on 3/25/2010, 6:38 pm

I've got the big steel pots for sterilizing the jars, but I haven't found one of the big giant pressure cookers anywhere locally. Anybody have a good, affordable source for those?

boffer on 3/25/2010, 6:41 pm

garage sales and thrift stores

the gauges and pop valves are readily available new, as long as the lid fits snug, they last forever

jjphoto on 3/25/2010, 6:42 pm

Looks like this is the new and updated version of the blue book. http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Complete-Book-Home-Preserving/dp/0778801314/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269567604&sr=1-2

chocolatepop on 3/25/2010, 6:45 pm

I think I searched online for a huge one and found it ran like $300+

pattipan on 3/25/2010, 6:51 pm

This site has a wealth of information, including many step by step canning instructions. This links to the canning tomatoes page, but surf around the site for more!

http://www.pickyourown.org/canning_tomatoes.htm

Your best self-help will be Ball's Blue Book. Contact county extension agents for more "extended" info. They have lots of pamphlets and can help with questions. Don't be afraid to ask!

Patti

dixie on 3/26/2010, 3:26 am

Habitat for Humanity store is another source. I found pressure cooker (not canner)

Anyone out there old enough to remember half gallon canning jars? My canner is the tall kind that holds 7 half gallon jars.

I saw a canner last week at Walmart. It looked like it would hold quart jars. I think it was around $60. If you buy a new canner it will have instruction book with timing instructions.

As mentioned before, follow the directions & you'll be safe. Your county agriculture office will have loads of info & recipes FREE. They might even have a community cannery.

dixie on 3/26/2010, 4:00 am

You can also have your pressure gauge checked for accuracy at the extension service.

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