If you want to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle (and perhaps start saving more money on groceries), canning just might be your ticket to success.
The best part about canning is that there isn’t a steep learning curve. Even better? You don’t need to spend a fortune on costly equipment.
You do need to make sure you have the right gear, however, to get started safely. In this post, we’ll tell you all about the canning equipment you’ll want to have on hand before you can become a canning aficionado.
What is Needed for Canning?
There are a few items you’ll need to get started with canning, but the good news is that most of these can be purchased for very little money at yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores.
Ask friends and family members if they have any old canning gear to part with – in some cases, you may be able to pick up loads of things like canning jars and unused lids for free, just to help folks free up some space.
Even if you do have to start from scratch and buy new, none of these items will break the bank – and with the exception of lids (these can’t be reused), you’ll be able to use these items again and again for years to come.
1. Canning Jars
First things first, you’ll need canning jars. These are special jars designed for preserving food. They come in various sizes, from small half-pints perfect for jams to larger quart-sized jars for fruits and veggies. Make sure you have enough jars for all the delicious things you plan to can, but remember that you can reuse your jars as long as they aren’t chipped or damaged.
2. Lids and Bands
Each jar needs a lid and a band. The lid has a rubber seal that helps keep your food safe and fresh, while the band holds the lid in place during the canning process.
Remember, lids are one-time use only, but bands can be reused.
3. Pressure Canner
A pressure canner is essential for canning low-acid foods like vegetables, meat, and fish. It uses steam pressure to heat the contents of the jars to a temperature that kills harmful bacteria.
You can buy all different sizes and styles of pressure canners, and most come with their own recipe booklets to help you learn how to process your goods safely.
4. Water Bath Canner
For high-acid foods like fruits, pickles, and tomatoes, a water bath canner is what you need. It’s basically a large pot with a rack inside to hold the jars. The boiling water surrounds the jars, making sure they’re processed safely.
The beauty of a water bath canner is that you don’t need to go out and buy specialized equipment – you can use an extra-large stockpot if you don’t want to spring for the actual thing.
5. Funnel
A wide-mouth funnel is super handy for filling jars without making a mess. It’s a simple tool, but it’ll save you a lot of cleanup time. This is one you can skip if you don’t want to spend a few dollars, but it’s highly recommended to save time and energy.
6. Jar Lifter (or Sturdy Tongs)
After processing, jars will be hot! A jar lifter or a pair of sturdy tongs will help you safely remove them from the canner. Trust me – you don’t want to skip this one.
Along the same lines, you may also want to invest in a lid lifter. These only cost a few dollars and help you extract lids from the water when you sanitize them. You can always use a fork to pull the lids, but a lid lifter is much easier.
7. Towels
You’ll need clean towels for drying the jars and for placing them under the jars as they cool. This helps prevent the jars from breaking due to temperature changes and also protects your countertops from the hot jars.
8. Bubble Remover Tool
This tool is used to remove air bubbles from the jars before sealing them. Air bubbles can affect the quality and safety of your canned goods, so it’s important to get rid of them.
9. Colander
A colander is useful for washing your fruits and veggies before canning. Clean produce is key to preventing contamination!
10. Pickling Salt
If you’re making pickles or other fermented foods, pickling salt is a must. It’s free from additives that can cloud your brine.
Just be aware that this isn’t a salt you’ll want to substitute in your other recipes that aren’t canning related – it’s particularly strong, so you’ll want to cut back your ratios if you do decide to pull double-duty.
11. Digital Scale
Accuracy is important in canning, especially when you’re following recipes. A digital scale will help you make sure you’re using the right amount of ingredients. You can use an analog scale, too, if you’d rather, but a digital scale will offer a higher level of accuracy.
12. Canning Cookbook
A good canning cookbook can be a great resource for recipes and tips, especially if you’re new to canning. Look for one with guidelines for both beginners and experienced canners.
If you want to save money when you’re first starting out, you can skip this one and just use recipes online. The National Center for Home Food Preservation is a good resource, as it includes tested recipes that are proven to be safe.
13. Pots, Pans, and Other Utensils
You’ll also need various pots and pans for preparing your foods before canning, as well as utensils like spoons and ladles for stirring and filling jars.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing more exciting than getting started with canning – and once you have all the gear you need, there’s nothing standing in your way.
With the right equipment, you can turn fresh produce into delicious, shelf-stable foods. Just remember to always follow safe canning practices to make sure your canned goods are just as safe to eat as they are tasty!
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