How To: Begin Canning.

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I've done a lot of canning this year and as I've shared about it on my blog and personal facebook page, I've gotten many comments by people who are interested in canning but don't know where to begin. They are intimidated by the whole process, just as I was at first. So, I thought today I would share some knowledge on how to get started, where to get the equipment, and which websites I find incredibly helpful.

Equipment:

You'll need a canning pot. There are two different ways to can, in a water bath canner, or a pressure canner. High acid foods, like fruit, can be canned in a water bath. So if you're planning on making jam and pickling things, go with a water bath canner, they're very easy to use and can often be found at your local thrift store for just a few dollars. If you're planning on canning low-acid foods, like meat or veggies that won't be pickled, opt for the pressure canner, it is the only safe way to can low-acid food, do not even attempt it in a water bath canner. I now own both kinds of canners but I definitely use the water bath most often since I'm usually making some kind of jam.

Next, you'll need jars of course. Ask around, I was able to score 100 jars this year from my Aunt who no longer cans. If you don't have any relatives giving away glass jars these too can be found at thrift stores for incredible prices. If you're not sure if the price is a good one, just think, is it less than $8? The lowest price our local store seems to ever have on a box of new jars (around 12-15 jars) is about $8. There are things to consider when buying used jars. Look them over, be sure they aren't cracked, check that the rims aren't chipped, if everything looks good, you're set.

Lids and bands can be purchased at your local grocery/hardware/all purpose store. You need to use a new lid on every single jar. So, once you eat that yummy concoction you've made, you'll toss the lid and buy a new one for next time. The screw on bands however, can be reused over and over.

In addition to your lids, you'll want to pick up a little canning kit for around $10. It includes tongs that are rounded for picking jars up out of hot water, a tool to measure headspace (empty space left at the top of the jar), a magnetic wand for picking up lids out of hot water, and a nice wide funnel which I think is invaluable to me not making a giant mess (which I tend to do).

So, if you were to buy everything you needed brand new, it would be a little spendy, but I'm telling you, check your local thrift stores first. I know one here in town has 3 boxes of jars, a water bath canner and a dehydrator on their shelf right now, the stuff is out there. Canning is increasing in popularity so it's a lot easier to find the things you need in regular stores now too, if you wanted to go the brand spankin' new route.

Canning Websites:

Now that you've got your tools, you'll need some knowledge.

The best, most official, have tested all of the recipes a zillion times to make sure they won't harm you, place to look is the USDA's Complete Guide to Home Canning. Not only does it tell you exactly how long to process everything, it also has a ton of recipes and tells you exactly what to do.

A website I visit often is Food in Jars. Marisa has a beautifully long list of recipes in her recipe index. Not only does she explain things well but she has a Canning 101 series where she answers frequently asked questions and goes over the basics. She also has a great tab at the top of her site for canning resources, including where to find produce and how to find canning classes in your area.

Pick Your Own is also a great site, although poorly designed, with a wealth of information and step by step photos which are so helpful when you're learning the basics.

Go visit your local library. Here in little old Weiser there are at least 10-15 books on canning and pickling, I'm sure your library has a few good reads as well. Check out a few and compare recipes, there are so many variations on every recipe that it's fun to compare and see what sounds good to you.

Where to Acquire your Produce:

Plant a garden! I'm already plotting and planning my garden for next year. If this weren't a rental, I'd tear up at least half the backyard and plant crops, but that's just me.

So you live in an apartment or don't have the means for a garden... check craigslist. Go to the farm+garden section. People often list their locally grown crops there or excess from their gardens at prices that will blow your mind. I bought tomatoes Saturday for 34 cents per pound, it's amazing what is out there.

Google is your friend, search for orchards or u-pick farms nearby. Have you heard of a CSA in your community, check it out!

Farmer's Markets. They are popping up everywhere and have the best your region has to offer.

I'm not a professional and I don't can for a living but if you have any specific questions, I will do my best to answer them or direct you to where you might find the answer. I really want to stress how rewarding canning is. It feels so great to preserve food for your family that you know is fresh, locally grown and delicious. I know exactly what is in my food, and it isn't high fructose corn syrup or fillers.