Canning Equipment

Much of this canning equipment is required if you want to preserve your foods safely.

Some of it is simply helpful but optional. Although I call them optional... they make life so much easier.

See the Canning Equipment FAQ section at the bottom of this page!

Essentials - the stuff you really need.

Pressure Canner A pressure canner can be intimidating but it truly is safe and simple. If you want to get serious with canning your own products to feed your family, a good pressure canner is a true necessity.	Water Bath Canner If you will be mainly focusing on fruits, jams, jellies, pickles and salsa. A Water Bath Canner may be the way to go. The best way to learn how to can before you jump in a buy a pressure canner.
Canning Jar Lids 2 piece canning jar lids are one of the non-reusable items you need to have on hand.	Canning Jars Kerr, Mason or Ball canning jars are all suitable jars for canning.
Canning Book A good canning book is one of the the most important tools you need.	Canning Kits A canning kit may just be the best route to go if you are needing to purchase most of your equipment. Everything you need in one package.
Canning Funnel A canning funnel has a larger opening to fit your jars. This is really something that would be hard to do without.	Jar Lifter and Magnetic lid lifter There are other handy canning tools to have but these two are the essentials and I'd recommend having them on hand.

Optional Canning Equipment, Tools and Supplies - although I call them optional... they really do make life easier.

Go here to see a review of a very cool 3 sided ladle

Canning Rack

A canning rack will sometimes rust and eventually need to be replaced.

Blancher

Use a blancher to steam vegetables or to boil tomatoes or peaches and remove the skins.

Food Strainer or Food Mill

Another life simplifier. Use these when processing tomatoes or applesauce and more.

Clear Measuring Bowl or
Batter Bowl

The features you should look for in a measuring bowl or batter bowl.

Apple Peeler Corer Slicer

These make life so much easier.... worth their weight in gold if you are canning applesauce.

Clear Jel

"Believe me once you get to using it, you will never go back to reg. cornstarch again.

Mitchell -Virginia"

Antique Canning Jars

I love Antique Canning Jars, however they have no place in canning processing foods. Here you'll learn why.

Have a question regarding canning equipment?

Scroll down to find links to pages where I have answered various questions regarding canning equipment.

I also have a general Canning Questions page where I have answered questions regarding other canning topics. Please check both of these if you have questions or are unsure of something.

If you can't find your answer in either place please ask below.

If you see a question that you feel you can answer or add information... feel free to do so! I'd love to see others contribute. Occasionally I don't even have an answer!

I feel the need to add this disclaimer. I have made my best effort to share up-to-date and safe techniques. However, I make no promises. You alone are responsible for the results of your efforts. I urge you if there is any doubt to the safety of your food, simply throw it away.

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What Other Visitors Have Asked and Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Keeping Jars Hot Sharon, I don't usually can only one batch at a time so I have time between the processing of one batch and the next. In that time, my jars get too cool....

Canning lids and/or rings... does it matter? My mother-in-law recently gave me preserves she canned with the ring tops removed. I always leave them on. Which way is best? I've seen them stored both ...

How do you remove rust from a pressure canner? My grandmother gave me her old pressure canner which I was thrilled to get!

However, the inside of the canner has some rust in it due to being in ...

What should my pressure cooker sound like when it is time for me to reduce the heat? I am using a pressure cooker for the first time. I have read the instructions at least 12 times. I finally got enough courage to use it today. The instructions ...

How much water do I need to use in a pressure caner? How much water do I need to use in a pressure caner? Ive been using 3"-4" for my quarts and I was told that I needed to fill the caner up to the lids. Is ...

Canning with Lug Lids How do you can with lug tops? Do you loosen top place in a boilng water canner and then tighten right away or just tighten and not tough it after?

I ...

Electric Pressure Canner? My pressure cooker/canner is not working well. So I need to get a new one before our garden starts producing this year.

When researching different ...

All American Canner what size should I get? I am new to pressure canning and before I invest in a canner I am trying to decide on the right size. I am pretty sure I would like to purchase an All ...

Answer--Canning With Lug Lids: One-Piece Dilemma The USDA not endorsing a method or product does not automatically make it unsafe. The reasons for endorsement are many, and not all have to do with food ...

Raw Pack Chicken with liquid? You are the first person or source to suggest adding liquid to raw pack chicken. I have been trying to find out why the instructions always say DO NOT ...

Oily canning jars I just finished my second time of canning marinated mushrooms. They are a huge hit but I have real issues with my jars, rings, and lids being oily.

What ...

Canning Salt and Processing Time 1. Is there a difference between table salt and canning salt?

Answer: Yes table salt has fillers in it that will affect your food. Use canning salt ...

My question is regarding pressure settings. My canner has settings for low (8.5 pounds) and high (15 pounds)- it is also a pressure cooker. How do I calculate the time to process when a recipe ...

Can I use quart jars instead of pints for canning salsa? I was wondering if I can can salsa in the quart jars instead of pints, every recipes says processing time for pints, but, we eat so much of it quart jars ...

Will any deep pot do? Hi there, Simply canning--Im new to this craft and am excited to make jams and apple butter for harvest gifting.

Do you Have to have a water bath canner ...

Are the two part lid an absolute must in canning? Every year, we make a "hot spread" type mixture with tomatoes, garlic, peppers and olive oil. We always use the two part lid.

I am making favors for ...

Using canning lids that have been simmered but not used? Is it safe to use new canning lids that have been simmered in hot water but not used?

Hi, sometimes I heat extra jars and canning lids just in case ...

Is it okay to use old/antique canning racks? Hi Sharon,

I'm just starting out canning and don't yet have either a water bath or pressure canner. I'm going to start with jams and other high acid ...

I need information on metal canning Hi,
Do you have any information on tin canning? I would like to can my food on tins rather than glass. Please let me know if you have any information ...

Rings too tight How do I get rings off that are screwed on too tight?

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Answer:

Have you tried running it under hot water and using a dishrag ...

Is annual checking of the pressure gauge necessary? I have recently read that you should have your pressure gauge checked each year, but it seems as if people who I know, who have been canning for years,...

Lids Bent After Pressure Canning After pressure canning green beans, I noticed when removing jars from pressure cooker the outer edges of lids were bent. Why?
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answer:

I ...

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