I’ve recently added another time consumer to the list of things I do: Canning. It started as a way to preserve extra produce from the garden, and has been very good at that, but really shines in giving me the ability to prepare some traditionally high sodium foods in a very low sodium way.
Later, I’ll post a few of the things that I make using the pressure canner, but first, I’ll start with a list of the necessary equipment.
- Pressure canner (of course!). I use this [amazon-product type=”text” text=”Presto 23 Quart Pressure Canner.”]B0000BYCFU[/amazon-product] I also have my eye on this [amazon-product type=”text” text=”All American 21 Quart Pressure Canner”]B00004S88Z[/amazon-product] because it utilizes a metal to metal seal instead of a gasket that periodically needs to be replaced.
- If you get the Presto canner, you may also want to get a [amazon-product type=”text” text=”pressure regulator”]B000HMBVQ8[/amazon-product] to regulate to 5 or 10 psi instead of just 15psi, and a [amazon-product type=”text” text=”canning rack”]B000LNY6T2[/amazon-product] to help with two layer canning of pint and smaller jars. It’s not strictly required, but you’ll definitely want one after tipping the second layer of jars a few times.
- Canning tools. I have [amazon-product type=”text” text=”this Norpro kit”]B0000DDVMH[/amazon-product] though there are plenty to choose from. Any kit should have at a minimum:
- A jar wrench
- A jar lifter
- A funnel
- A bubble popper/measurer
- A magnetic lid lifter
If you don’t have a microwave or other timer handy, you might want to get one of those too.
- Jars! (another of course) You could buy these online, but they’re really heavy, so you pay a premium. I bought my first sets from the local Walmart, and now I buy them from Kroger though I’ve also seen them at Lowes. Pick a size that matches what you’re doing or buy a variety. Note that there’s really no difference between Ball, Kerr and Golden Harvest. All three are made by the same company in the the States.
- [amazon-product type=”text” text=”Ball Blue Book.”]B005SK6Y1Q[/amazon-product] Get this and you really won’t need any other recipes or guides. It’s all inside.