How To Get Started with Home Canning Springfield MO

Home canning is the process of destroying bacteria and microorganisms that cause food to spoil. There are many reasons that people choose to preserve their own food. Some people want to avoid the preservatives and chemicals found in commercially-prepared food. Others have such bountiful gardens that canning is a way of saving what they grow for a later time. Still others view canning as a way of continuing a tradition begun by their ancestors. Whatever your reasons for "putting up" your own food, you'll find that the taste is light-years beyond anything you can buy in a grocery store.

1. You'll need some basic equipment to get started with home canning. The two most expensive items are a steam-pressure canner and a boiling-water canner. Each type of canner is suited for different foods. Steam-pressure canners process foods at higher temperatures, so they are well-suited for low-acid foods. A steam-pressure canner should have a weighted gauge or a dial gauge that has been tested for accuracy. Boiling water canners are better-suited for foods with high acidity. Bacteria doesn't grow as readily in an acidic environment, so these foods only need to be processed to 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
   The next items that you'll need to purchase are canning jars and two-piece vacuum seal lids. The USDA revised their canning guidelines in 1989, so it's best to use jars manufactured after that date. The most common brand names for canning jars are Kerr and Ball. You can find these in several different sizes. Some are even decorative, if you plan on giving your preserved food as gifts.
   
   The only other items that are necessary to canning are a rubber spatula, a cooking timer and a book that provides guidelines for safe canning and recipes. A good preserving book should include information on which foods are suitable for pressure-canning, steam-canning and freezing. A very comprehensive one to consider is the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving.
   
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Author: Tonya Sandersfeld