Women's Home Activities

My kitchen has been in a buzz since the harvesting from the garden has begun. It seems that I am now engulfed almost daily in home canning activities which will be great to have on hand for the coming winter months. This has been some wonderful family bonding time that my husband and I have been given with my in-laws. We all work closely together and share in the bounty of the crops that we planted, tended and harvested from our treasured garden. Building memories from this family bonding time will allow these activities to stay with me for a lifetime. I truly feel blessed to have been given this opportunity and I felt it important to share these thoughts with you.

As I promised in the previous post Where to Look for Canning and Preserving Utensils-Part 1, I went over the items that you probably already have in your kitchen to get started with your canning project. Now we will cover Where to Look for Canning and Preserving Utensils-Part 2: things you probably don’t already have, but still need to get in order to actually begin the home canning process. These items will be listed a little differently than they were in the previous post.

This time the canning utensils will be grouped together based on the type of canning method you choose to use. Even better, you will find links to the canning products you may not have all conveniently located right at your fingertips. That way you don’t have to go searching all over the place, you will be able to order just what you need right here.

Canning approaches are similar in nature meaning you will use some of the same utensils for each method. It is the processing technique and the foods to be canned that separate these approaches into their own unique style.

For example you will need glass canning jars with lids and bands for both water bath canning and pressure canning. The size of the jars and the means of processing are determined by what you choose to can. Jellies, jams, preserves and cucumber pickles usually do very well with water bath canning. With meats and other vegetables, the pressure canning method is the safest way to preserve those types of food.

Part 2 – Basic Canning and Preserving Utensils

Now let’s take a look at the canning and preserving utensils that you probably still need to get if you have never done any canning before. The 4 main methods of canning and preserving food are: Water Bath Canning, Pressure Canning, Freezing and Dehydration/Drying. You may decide to choose one or a combination of approaches. The list of canning utensils that follows will give you an assortment of supplies that can be used for each technique you may try. There are also “cross over” utensils on the list meaning that they are used for most of the canning and preserving methods.

Here are some products for you to look over and decide which you would like to try out first:

Water Bath Canners

Here is a selection of Water Bath Canners for you to choose from:

Granite Ware 21.5-qt Covered Canner

This is the one I have and I love it. I do most of my canning with the water bath method and this canner works great. It holds all sizes of jars and the rack makes for easy removal of the processed food.

Ball Collection Elite Canner With Rack

This canner is one I aspire to. I don’t have this one yet, but maybe in the near future. It is supposed to last a lifetime; I wonder whose life they are talking about…she says with a grin.

Back To Basics 7-qt Canner

This looks like a nice canner. I don’t have one but others who do seem to like it.

Pressure Canners

I don’t currently have a pressure canner of my own as I mostly preserve our garden treats with either the water bath or freezing method; the types of fruits and vegetables that we have planted work well with these approaches.

I have helped a friend with pressure canning though and she uses the 16 qt pressure canner. She has been canning a lot longer than I and she says that this type of canner fits just what she needs when canning low acid foods. I probably will choose the 23 qt canner when I do start pressure canning because the size will yield more jars at a time.

There are a couple of sizes of Pressure Canners you might like:

National Presto Industries 23-qt Pressure Canner

National Presto Industries 16-qt Pressure Canner

Dehydrators

I am currently thinking about making a purchase of one of these dehydrators myself. We have apple trees and I know that after researching about them either one of these dehydrators would work great to preserve our apples.

You may want to take a look at types of dehydrators:

American Harvest Snackmaster Express Encore Dehydrator

Aroma Housewares Co. Food Dehydrator

Canning Jars and Extra Jar Bands and Jar Lids

This is a list of jars in various sizes to have in stock when you are first starting out. I have also included extra jar bands and jar lids to this list. You may reuse the glass jars and bands from year to year as long as they are not damaged. However sealing lids need to be replaced and may not be used again for the canning process.

Ball Set of 12 Jelly Jars

Ball Set of 12 Regular Mouth Half Pint Jars

Ball Set of 12 Regular Mouth Pint Jars

Ball Set of 12 Wide Mouth Jar Lids and Bands

Ball Set of 12 Regular Mouth Jar Lids and Bands

Ball Set of 12 Wide Mouth Jar Lids

Ball Set of 12 Regular Mouth Jar Lids

I keep all sizes of canning jars with replacement lids on hand before I start canning and preserving. The only one missing on this list is a link for Quart size canning jars. They seem to be most popular and were not available when I made this post. When they do become available I will add them to the list.

Additional Canning Utensils

Ball Canning Utensil Set

I love this handy dandy little canning tool kit. I don’t know how I survived without it before. Now I am just thankful to own one and you should really make this investment too before you start canning.

RSVP International 6-in. Canning Funnel

I like the wide mouth that helps lessen the chance of spilling when filling your canning jars.

Calphalon 8-qt. Simply Calphalon Stainless Stainless Steel Multi-Purpose Stockpot

I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have my steamer pot. This makes blanching food for freezing so easy. Because it is stainless steel it can be used with high acid foods like tomatoes. I can’t say enough about this pot. Oh yeah one more thing, it’s great for regular cooking too. I use this pot all the time even when I am not canning.

Taylor Precision Products Timer, Chef Professional Series, Each, Silver

Another neat tool is this timer that I found in my search. Granted I use the time on my stove for a lot of canning purposes but when I have to step away from the stove and still need to know how much processing time is left, this little gem goes with me. I can put it in my pocket or hang it around my neck and still know how much time I have before my round of canning will take place.

Deni Freshlock Vacuum Sealer (useful when freezing foods)

Vacuum sealers work great for getting air out of the bags that can cause freezer burn to your preserved food.

Deni Set of 3 Freshlock Replacement Rolls

Here’s a link for the replacement bags in case you run out.

KitchenAid 3-c. Chef’s Chopper Mini Food Processor, White

This little chopper is a must have in my kitchen. I use it all the time and not just for canning. If you don’t currently have one you should get a chopper. It is well worth the investment.

Terraillon 11-lb. Linear with Bowl Kitchen Scale, Silver

I just found this incredible little scale. I can’t wait to get one myself. I know it will come in handy when trying to measure out the proper amount for certain canning recipes.

Back to Basics Apple Corer and Peeler with Suction Base

Wow does this ever help when it’s apple and pear season. Using this really cuts down the preparation time when getting ready to make applesauce, pear honey and other fruit recipes for canning. In fact last year we borrowed our daughter’s corer and peeler and got twice as much work done. This is a definite “keeper” to add to your list.

Wilton 3-pc. Stackable Cooling Rack

I like that 3 cooling racks came in this pack. For canning purposes they don’t have to be stacked, they can be used individually. That is a nice feature.

RSVP International Rotary Food Mill

Food mills are so helpful when making applesauce and pear preserves. If you are planning on trying recipes that require sieving this is a helpful tool.

Good Cook Cheesecloth

You need to have cheesecloth available for a variety of canning recipes. It works well for jams and jellies, plus filtering liquids or making spice and herb infusions.

Kitchen Collection Cornslitter

Here’s another cool tool I just found. I haven’t tried this one yet but it is also on my short list to add to my kitchen gadgets. I think this will really help a lot when preparing corn for preserving.

That’s it for the list, as of now at least. (she grins and winks) Like I said before this list was put together to assist you in making some decisions about the utensils that you need for canning and preserving. They are located right here so no more running all over town wasting gas to go get what you need. Now you are only a mouse-click away so let your fingers start clicking and get to it.

Which ever method of home canning you decide to attempt Knowing Where to Look for Canning Utensils – Part 2 should get you well on your way to finding the products you need to use to begin your canning and preserving projects. Even though you may not have many of these items on hand, you now have an available resource that should help you in searching for the canning utensils necessary for preserving fresh food. Go and check them out for yourself. These tools of the canning trade are sure to make life a lot easier for you. Here’s to your Happy Canning adventure…go get started!