Basic Canning Tools

You've made the decision. This summer you are going to start canning. The next step is to get the equipment you need. But is a $210 pressure canner required to get started? That's a major purchase! Somehow, this expense doesn't seem to fit with the goal of saving money on the food bill. So what tools are really essential? Click here for pointers and tips on canning tools and equipment. Don't bankrupt the food budget before you even start the processing.

The fact that canning requires only a minimum upfront investment makes it the perfect hobby for you, the aspiring preserver, who is not yet sure how interested in the process you’ll actually be, or how often you’ll try it. In fact, many of the necessary tools can probably be found in the kitchen cupboard. The most technical piece of equipment, and the most costly, will be a food canner.

The first step is to determine what you will be canning? Are you canning high acidic fruits, pickles, tomatoes, or pickled vegetables? This type of canning can be done with a boiling water bath. However, if you envision rows of green beans, peas, or other vegetables - you will need to invest in a pressure canner. As a beginning canner, you can buy a boiling-water bath canner for around $50, or a high-quality pressure canner starting at about $190. Again, your need is dependent on the type of food you plan to process.

Actually, for water bath canning, you can use any large stockpot or soup- pot that you can fit a rack into. The pot should be deep enough that your canning jars can be covered by at least 1" of boiling water by processing. You need the rack to keep the jars off the bottom of the pot so that the hot water can circulate completely around the jars. So check your cupboards for large pots and do some measuring. Otherwise you need to make a small investment for a standard size water bath canner with rack.

Now you need jars. Mason canning jars, the most common type of canning jar today, are the only product recommended for home canning. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are tempered to withstand the heat of the pressure canner or sub-zero temperatures of the freezer, so can be used for canning and freezing methods of preservation. Jars can be purchased in regular or wide-mouth varieties, the latter of which offers ease in packing. They are typically sealed with a two-part system consisting of a metal lid with a flanged edge, the underside of which has a rubberlike, sealing compound, and a threaded metal screw band that fits over the rim of the jar to hold the lid in place during processing. Ball and Kerr are  popular canning jar brands, offering a variety of sizes ranging from 4 oz. jars to more common sizes including 1/2-pint, 1-pint and 1-quart varieties. But you can also use decorative jars or plain smooth-sided jars for your produce.

Once you’ve decided on a canner and jars, the rest is simple. Assembling your collection of canning tools probably won’t even require that you leave your kitchen. However, if there are tools that you’re missing and you’re merely experimenting with canning, consider borrowing from a friend to minimize your monetary investment.

To make your canning easy and safe, invest in these basic tools:

• Canning funnel - Used to pack food. One end of the funnel fits snugly into the jar, while the other is significantly wider to allow the canner to spoon or ladle contents into the funnel without spilling.

• Jar Lifter - Like a pair of pliers, this utensil is used to grip and move hot canning jars from processor to countertop.

• Lid Wand - Magnetic gadget used to retrieve flat, metal jar lids from hot water. Kitchen tongs can serve the same purpose.

• Multi-Purpose Food Mill - Used to separate peel and seeds from such produce as tomatoes, berries, etc.

Other common kitchen utensils that may be needed:

• Vegetable brush - Used to clean fruit and vegetables, reducing the presence of food contaminants prior to the heating process.

• Knives, cutting board, and peeler - Used to prepare food prior to packing. Sharp, stainless steel is the popular choice in knives.

• Air-bubble remover - Used to remove air bubbles from the food prior to fitting lids on jars. Non-metallic spatula will also work.

• Kitchen scale - Used to measure fruit, sugar, and other ingredients.

• Large saucepan - Boiling water from a large saucepan can be used to replenish the water in the boiling-water bath canner or pressure canner. May also be used to precook food or prepare canning sauce.

• Spoons and ladle - Includes a good stirring spoon, another with slotted surface for lifting food from water and draining pieces of food, and a ladle for packing food into jars.

• Measuring spoons and cup - Used to portion recipe ingredients. Include a one-quart measuring cup if possible.

• Large mixing bowl - Used to combine ingredients prior to packing. Think in terms of at least a 7-quart capacity.

• Hand or bath towel - Hot jars will crack if they’re place on a cool surface. A bath towel will serve as a temperature barrier between the hot jar and cool countertop.

• Cheesecloth or spice bag - Used to suspend whole spices in foods as the foods are precooked. Can also be used when a recipe requires that juices be extracted from cooked fruit.

• Jelly thermometer - Helps determine when jams and jellies have reached the jelling point. Should read up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Timer - Used to keep time during food processing.

• Labels - The final step in canning as you label your homemade product with an identifiable name. Custom labels can be ordered with phrases listing your kitchen as the product’s origination. Great idea if you plan to use your canned products in gift baskets or as a heartwarming offering with that touch of home goodness.

For a small investment you are ready to start. Now you can visit your local farmers' market or accept those bushels of tomatoes from a friend. Start canning! This winter, you will be glad you did!