Have you always wanted to start canning and preserving foods? It is an easy and rewarding process! Let us help get you familiar with the canning process with tips on the right gear and a tutorial on canning.
Prepare Your Gear
Gather together your large stock pot, fresh produce and common kitchen utensils. Wash jars and lids in warm soapy water and rinse well. Keep your jars warm to avoid jars from breaking. You can do so by placing them in a larger pot of warm water. Fill your stock pot with water and heat to a simmer.
Create your Recipe
Find a canning recipe you want to start with for your first canning experience. There are many great tried and true recipes to try in a canning cookbook. Fill each can with food and follow the canning recipe in the cookbook. Remove air bubbles from the jar by sliding a spatula in between the food and the jar wall. Clean off the rim of the jar and place the lid on top of the jar. Next, twist on the jar lid until it is tight.
Preserve It
Place the filled jars into the rack and lower the canning rack into the stock pot. You will want the jars covered with 1 inch of water above it. Heat and boil jars to the instructions listed in your recipe. Adjust as needed if altitude is a factor. Once the jars reach the desired cooking time, carefully remove the cans from the pot. Wear an oven mitt and be cautious of the hot water.
Always follow manufacturers directions before using any product. For more helpful tips and advice visit your neighborhood Ace or visit us at acehardware.com
Source: tips.acehardware.com