When you start to think about canning it can be overwhelming, but like most canning experts everyone had to start at some point.
“supplies can be found at most stores or on amazon”
- Stockpot
The basics supplies are having a stockpot big enough to boil your jars in. When it comes to home canning there are a few basic items to help you to be successful.
First, let’s talk MOLDS AND YEAST-molds are fungi that can grow in foods. The worst part is they can’t be seen, sometimes a visible “FUZZ” might be visible but certain molds can produce mycotoxins that can cause you to become really sick. Yeast is also fungi that cause foods to ferment also making it unfit to eat. These both can be destroyed at temperatures between 140 degrees and 190 degrees. Bacteria are not that easy to destroyed by heat, some bacteria actually thrive at the temperatures that usually destroy molds and yeast. Botulinum can be destroyed by boiling so having a stockpot helps you in the starting process.
You can boil your jars by two methods of water baths (boiling-water canner) and pressure canner methods. You can purchase a water bath pot or use a large pot or big stockpot with a rack that still will allow about 1 inch of water above the mason jar with a basket at the bottom. CLICK HERE to purchase one.
2. Canning Jars
Canning jars can be found in several different sizes base on portions or specific items used. Several different companies make these jars ranging from $5 to $20. I like the widemouthed jars because adding contents make it much easier. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE SOME.
“wide mouth jars are my preference”
3. Canning Lids and Bands
In order to get a good seal, your jars should have lids and bands to help form a tight seal. These come in all sizes but you should choose the appropriate size lid and band for the jar you choose. I usually wash the lids and bands in hot water and soapy water. Some people will add them to the water bath to help kill and disinfect these as well.
Learning how to measure the contents when filling your jars is called headspace. A lot of canners that headspace is second nature and rarely have to measure the proper headspace but I included a headspace tool in the supplies because I believe it’s important when you are first starting out. CLICK HERE To purchase yours.
4. Jar Lifter
Jar lifters are great for taking boiling hot jars out of the water bath. I’ve tried using tongs and a jar lifter is much easier to use but tongs can be used just be extremely careful so you don’t drop or burn yourself. Click on here to get a link on Amazon
“You can purchase all the items at once”
5. Food Mill
If you plan to can tomato juice or homemade applesauce then having a food mill or will save you a lot of time since both tools quickly remove skins and seeds, leaving you with just the juice or applesauce that you are wanting!
This unit may require you to work a bit harder but the effort to use this unit isn’t that bad, plus it doesn’t require electricity. A food mill is also less messy when it comes to making tomato juice. Click on here to get a link on Amazon
6. Wide-Mouth Funnel
A funnel can make canning ten times easier but isn’t a requirement. It allows quick filling jars with certain items like peaches or other messy items.
A funnel isn’t a must for canning, but it sure makes things a lot easier when you are canning things like tomatoes and peaches. Click on here to get a link on Amazon
Good Ladle
The used a good ladle sturdy ladle a lot when I’m canning. It just makes filling jars so much easier! Click here to get a link to Amazon
