Post by Loupy on Apr 6, 2014 20:54:46 GMT -7
10 things to prepare for canning season.
By: Sharon Peterson @ www.simplycanning.com/
1. Get your gauges checked on your pressure canners.
Dial gauges must be checked for accuracy. Each spring is a great time to do it. A local Extension service should do it for a reasonable price.
2. If you are looking for a pressure canner, start looking for deals.
Used or new they do go on sale sometimes. Or better yet try a giveaway or 2. I know the chances are small but you never know. (I won my All American Sun Oven through an internet giveaway!) If you are not sure what pressure canner to get, I've done a video explaining the differences between the Presto and the All American Pressure Canners here. www.simplycanning.com/pressure-canners.html Both are good canners.
3. Make sure the rubber gasket (if you have one) on your canner is in good shape.
If you haven't run your canner in a while it is a good idea to do a test run just to make sure there will be no issues. You don't want to find out your canner won't keep pressure when you have a load of food in it. To test it out, add 3 inches of water to your canner. Place the lid on and turn on the heat to bring it up to pressure. Allow the canner to cool and you are ready for your first load.
4. Check your other canning equipment too.
Be sure everything is in working order. Do you have an older waterbath canner? Be sure it hasn't rusted on you over the winter. Did your canning funnel get lost in the pantry somewhere? Find it.
5. Shop for canning lids, pectin, vinegar, canning salt.
These supplies can add up. You might as well get them on sale if you know you will need them.
(Loupy's Note...I get a lot of mine at Walmart.)
6. Take a class if you have not canned before.
Check the local extension office. Or ask an experienced friend if she'll have you over for a canning demonstration. Gather some like -minded friends who want to learn and you can all chip in on the costs of hiring someone to come to you.
7. Start yard-sale shopping!
Canning Jars and sometimes even canners can be found at garage sales, auctions, second hand stores. Often you will see ads in the paper for canning jars for sale. But you have to be quick. The good bargains go fast.
8. Get organized. www.simplycanning.com/pantry-journal.html
Plan your garden. What do you want to grow and how much do you want to can Start a list of what you want to can. Then determine approximately when that will be in season. If you don't have a garden, where will you get your produce? Farmers market? Local orchards? Is there a U-pick farm nearby?
9.Gather your recipes and make sure you have a good canning book available.
www.simplycanning.com/simply-canning-survival-guide.html Always use USDA tested recipes and methods. No, there are no canning police who will check up on you. You are responsible for yourself and those you feed. You might as well do it right!
10.How about this? Make a list of gift opportunities you may have.
Then, make a point of making home canned goods for this. www.simplycanning.com/simply-canning-survival-guide.html
I know Christmas is WAY off… but if you know you want homemade goodies, you'll need to can it in season. Before the holiday rush. Think Christmas, birthdays, Mothers and Father's Day, anniversaries, Valentine's day…. The list goes on.
By: Sharon Peterson @ www.simplycanning.com/
1. Get your gauges checked on your pressure canners.
Dial gauges must be checked for accuracy. Each spring is a great time to do it. A local Extension service should do it for a reasonable price.
2. If you are looking for a pressure canner, start looking for deals.
Used or new they do go on sale sometimes. Or better yet try a giveaway or 2. I know the chances are small but you never know. (I won my All American Sun Oven through an internet giveaway!) If you are not sure what pressure canner to get, I've done a video explaining the differences between the Presto and the All American Pressure Canners here. www.simplycanning.com/pressure-canners.html Both are good canners.
3. Make sure the rubber gasket (if you have one) on your canner is in good shape.
If you haven't run your canner in a while it is a good idea to do a test run just to make sure there will be no issues. You don't want to find out your canner won't keep pressure when you have a load of food in it. To test it out, add 3 inches of water to your canner. Place the lid on and turn on the heat to bring it up to pressure. Allow the canner to cool and you are ready for your first load.
4. Check your other canning equipment too.
Be sure everything is in working order. Do you have an older waterbath canner? Be sure it hasn't rusted on you over the winter. Did your canning funnel get lost in the pantry somewhere? Find it.
5. Shop for canning lids, pectin, vinegar, canning salt.
These supplies can add up. You might as well get them on sale if you know you will need them.
(Loupy's Note...I get a lot of mine at Walmart.)
6. Take a class if you have not canned before.
Check the local extension office. Or ask an experienced friend if she'll have you over for a canning demonstration. Gather some like -minded friends who want to learn and you can all chip in on the costs of hiring someone to come to you.
7. Start yard-sale shopping!
Canning Jars and sometimes even canners can be found at garage sales, auctions, second hand stores. Often you will see ads in the paper for canning jars for sale. But you have to be quick. The good bargains go fast.
8. Get organized. www.simplycanning.com/pantry-journal.html
Plan your garden. What do you want to grow and how much do you want to can Start a list of what you want to can. Then determine approximately when that will be in season. If you don't have a garden, where will you get your produce? Farmers market? Local orchards? Is there a U-pick farm nearby?
9.Gather your recipes and make sure you have a good canning book available.
www.simplycanning.com/simply-canning-survival-guide.html Always use USDA tested recipes and methods. No, there are no canning police who will check up on you. You are responsible for yourself and those you feed. You might as well do it right!
10.How about this? Make a list of gift opportunities you may have.
Then, make a point of making home canned goods for this. www.simplycanning.com/simply-canning-survival-guide.html
I know Christmas is WAY off… but if you know you want homemade goodies, you'll need to can it in season. Before the holiday rush. Think Christmas, birthdays, Mothers and Father's Day, anniversaries, Valentine's day…. The list goes on.
