| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| napafarmhouse1885 |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 9:06:31 PM
hello all,
i have been water bath canning for years and now am inspired to can sauces, vegetables, pasta sauces..etc. i have never used a pressure canner before... what advice, tips, suggestions do you have? would i use a pressure cooker...or is there a different device? (sorry if this is a lame question...no one i know cans)
thanks in advance farmgirls!
best,
diane
best,
napafarmhouse1885
www.napafarmhouse1885.com
please visit my blog
www.napafarmhouse1885.blogspot.com
farmgirl sister #179
"Whatever you can do or dream, begin it"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lanna |
Posted - Sep 08 2009 : 02:05:26 AM
Yeah, if you plan to do a lot of canning, splurge and get the All-American. If it's going to be a passing fancy or you'll only use it 2-5 times a year, go ahead and hit up Walmart or whatever for Presto or Mirro or whatever they have in stock nowadays. I'm pretty sure the ones currently made aren't exactly the same as the old school ones - I've heard varying reports, but it sounds like the newer ones aren't as solidly made. I could be very wrong though - since I've never used 'em. But I like to buy something quality once, and be done with it - rather than having to buy something over and over.
I have an online friend that's even more homestead-y than I am, and she has two of the 921's. She uses hers probably a little more than I do mine - which is currently sitting on the dining room floor waiting for more green beans and chicken stock here sometime this week. None of my kitchen cabinets are big enough for any of my canners though, so they either hang out on the dining table or floor during canning season and the pantry/basement when I'm not so busy. Ours is also the weighted gauge - yet another thing that can't break easily on it. ;) My gauge is on my magnetic knife rack an arm's reach away from the stove though - that way the kids can't run off with it for a game of hide-and-seek.
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys and growing a new little sprout |
| Sheep Mom 2 |
Posted - Sep 07 2009 : 3:20:52 PM
I have a Mirro pressure canner that has a weight instead of a gauge so it doesn't have to be taken in and checked. I have had it for 20 years and only just now had to replace the rubber seal. I use my pressure canner for tomatoes, green beans, and even applesauce. I have also pressure cooked hams on the bone when one of the butchers we used put far too much salt on the hams when curing. I love my pressure canner. If you buy a new one it has a book with it that gives all the instructions including times for processing. Good luck. Don't be intimidated. Make sure you let it cool down on it's own - you can't quick cool it like a pressure cooker or you will either crack your jars or lose all the liquid out of them.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Sep 04 2009 : 10:09:53 AM
A pressure CANNER would have a pressure gauge so you can monitor the pounds of pressure. You can also get a book that will give you tables for time and pounds for whatever you are canning.
Right now I only use my pressure canner for green/yellow beans. You can use a water bath for peaches, pears, etc.
...from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665 |
| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Sep 04 2009 : 06:57:02 AM
Diane- the one Lanna has is by All-American. I also have the 921 and absolutly love it!!!! In fact I am now in the market for a second one! Check out their website www.allamericancanner.com/allamericanpressurecanner.htm Their customer service was wonderful too.
This is my first year pressure canning, we jumped right in and started with tuna. Yesterday I did potatos. Tomorrow- who knows. You will be glad you made the investment.
Lillian |
| napafarmhouse1885 |
Posted - Sep 03 2009 : 8:47:45 PM
thanks lanna...i am going to purchase one...test it out...and then probably post again with tons of questions for all of you...i adore canning...so i am not sure why this concept is so scary to me!!?? :)
dp
best,
napafarmhouse1885
www.napafarmhouse1885.com
please visit my blog
www.napafarmhouse1885.blogspot.com
farmgirl sister #179
"Whatever you can do or dream, begin it"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
| Lanna |
Posted - Aug 31 2009 : 6:30:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by napafarmhouse1885
thank you all so much for the tips/advice. i still am a tiny bit confused...i have a "pressure cooker" that i primarily use to make beans...does this work for pressure canning or is it a different piece of equipment?
Completely different piece of equipment. A pressure cooker is a completely different animal than a pressure canner. I have an All American 921 (or Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry - I forget what name mine is, hubby found it for a steal of a deal on Amazon.com). Love, love, love it. Have had it for 3 years, took the plunge two years ago because I was afraid of it that first year, and then never looked back. They are pricey for a good one with a metal seal, but oh-so-worth it. Most likely my canner will outlive me barring a nuclear attack.
The first few times I used it was a bit nerve-wracking, but I got over it, especially after getting some practice under my belt. I use it for green beans, spaghetti sauce, chicken stock, vegetable stock, turkey stock, chicken noodle soup (noodles are separate homemade dealies next to it all dry and waiting for their chance at making our tastebuds dance), vegetable stew, etc.
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys and growing a new little sprout |
| napafarmhouse1885 |
Posted - Aug 31 2009 : 6:10:48 PM
thanks for all the advice...i think i will need to buy a pressure canner...but i think it is well worth the investment...you guys have been a big help...and favorite recipes would be appreciated...
best,
diane
best,
napafarmhouse1885
www.napafarmhouse1885.com
please visit my blog
www.napafarmhouse1885.blogspot.com
farmgirl sister #179
"Whatever you can do or dream, begin it"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
| 5 acre Farmgirl |
Posted - Aug 29 2009 : 07:32:14 AM
Its really very esy....just follow the Ball blue canning book....I was afraid at first, but, now,..canning potatoes, meat, gr. beans and pumpkin..is just a snap,,Happy canning!
Farmgirl Sister #368
"It is most common for man to value most what has least worth."
My Farm and Garden blog....
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 8:12:09 PM
Look at the cover of your instruction book, does it say canner/cooker? If it does, it does both, if not you will need a differant gauge, and the wire stand for the jars to sit on.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| napafarmhouse1885 |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 7:49:13 PM
and i get to communicate with really cool farmgirls...
hugs,
diane
best,
napafarmhouse1885
www.napafarmhouse1885.com
please visit my blog
www.napafarmhouse1885.blogspot.com
farmgirl sister #179
"Whatever you can do or dream, begin it"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
| napafarmhouse1885 |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 7:48:01 PM
thank you all so much for the tips/advice. i still am a tiny bit confused...i have a "pressure cooker" that i primarily use to make beans...does this work for pressure canning or is it a different piece of equipment?
i love you guys...way better than google when i have questions because i can trust the answers!!!
cheers!
diane
best,
napafarmhouse1885
www.napafarmhouse1885.com
please visit my blog
www.napafarmhouse1885.blogspot.com
farmgirl sister #179
"Whatever you can do or dream, begin it"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
| aunt boby |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 06:42:58 AM
It is a little intimidating at first. I've had mine for about ten years and I still hover over the gauge. But it is a life saver for green beans. My MIL still water baths her green beans for three hours. I've only tried to cook in it once. I followed the recipe for bbq ribs that came with the instruction book. They turned out pretty good.
POOR IS THE MAN WHO CANNOT ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE- anonymous |
| FL_farmgirl |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 05:11:04 AM
Using a pressure canner can be daunting at first, but after your first few batches you really start to get a feel for it. Ace Hardware carries a few different models of canners, not to mention all the gadgets that go along with them should you ever need to replace a part. They sell for around $89-$120
My advice would be to do a test run before you start canning things you don't want to lose...(maybe just buy some frozen corn and water pack it...that way if it doesn't turn out your not out all your good produce. But of course boil it, etc...)
Happy Canning :)
Jen |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 9:58:20 PM
Teresa has excellent advice and I would have to strongly agree with following the directions exactly as they are written. Mine is a combination cooker/canner, but I have never used it for cooking.
It took me a long time to get used to pressure canning (building a bomb is what I used to call it!) and I was scared of that huge pot. Now it is just a routine part of canning season.
Di
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 9:36:12 PM
There are combo pressure canner/cookers, if you buy a used one, replace the seal and gauge before use. Make sure you read the instructions and follow them to a t, and if you are still unsure, take some classes.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
