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Farm Kitchen:  Canning  |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 10:45:41 AM
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Ok, this will be my first year canning. Last year I bought all the stuff to can with, then I made a big move. I have a feeling my inlaws stole my canning set. I remember before leaving (from NYC to Kansas) I seen all the same canning stuff I had bought in their dining room. I said, is that my canning stuff? And they said no. (it included my big pot I had bought! That's what caught my eye, the big pot!) They said it was their's.......mind you they have never canned...or had a garden, or eat vegetables, or jelly or jam or anything like that, 90 percent of what they eat is from restaurants....hmmm ok.
I believed them though, which maybe they were telling the truth, I don't know. I just know when I got here to Kansas I can't find my canning pot!
Any way, I am looking online to HURRY and replace my canner so I can get to canning ASAP. I see there is a steamer canning system, supposed to be comparable to water bath canning, but faster.
Any one here have experience with this, and what would you recommend?
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
Edited by - MagnoliaWhisper on Jul 01 2011 10:46:44 AM |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 10:52:07 AM
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oh btw both the steamer and the pot says not recommended for glass top stoves, UHG, our stove came with the apartment and it's glass top. My husband and I hate it. I like the old coil electric stoves best! Any way...any one know about that too?
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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coloquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
Susan
Co
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 11:01:04 AM
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Hi Heather, I have seen those steam canners as well,but I have read posts from the other Sisters that they have had a lot of problems using them such as broken jars. I think i would do some research on the steamers.
Good luck
Susan |
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MamaCrunch
True Blue Farmgirl
161 Posts
Nasvhille
TN
USA
161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 11:36:33 AM
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I think steam canners are no longer recommended by the USDA.
For the stove issue, do you have counter space for a single burner? We've considered buy a single coil just to our stove a break from the heavy waterbath pot. Amazon has them for fairly cheap.
Farmgirl #2161
Just tryin' to homestead in the middle of a suburban neighborhood!
Blog~ http://thelittleboygreen.com |
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woolgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
901 Posts
Elizabeth
Great Lakes
IL
USA
901 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 11:49:30 AM
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The glass top stove really doesn't work. Maybe you could try canning outside? I think there was just a thread about that.
That stinks about your canning stuff and your in-laws. Maybe you could scope out the Goodwill or other thrifts in the meantime? What all do you need? There are some terrific thrift shops around here if you would like me to look for some things for you. Walmart even has a pressure canner now for a pretty reasonable price. I would go that route if I were in the market for a new one.
Liz
Farmgirl #1947
www.militaryfarmgirl.blogspot.com |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 12:10:29 PM
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Thanks Elizabeth so far I don't see things like that at our thrift stores any more. I think that kind of stuff goes straight to ebay. I notice I rarely get anything good any more at them, oh I strike gold once in a blue moon but mainly I think the really good stuff goes straight to Goodwill's ebay site.
I did ask on Freecycle though if anyone had anything (I have jars and that's it! all my canning stuff-jar picker upper, etc, was stored inside the pot!) but so far no word on Freecycle. I am thinking I just need to go buy new.
A single coil is a good idea!!!!!! Hmmm, used to have one when I was a kid wish I knew what ever happened to that! Hmm, I am thinking that may be what we need to do. I'm not sure if it will be stable enough though to hold a big old canning pot though. I will for sure look into that though.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2873 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2873 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 12:12:23 PM
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Hey Heather
The pressure canner does not get near as heavy as the water bath, due to less water, so if you can spare the dough, you could use that on your glass top. I have a glass top stove, but I specifically asked about canning when I got it,& there is one extra large burner that allows for the weight of the canner(water bath too) I have had it 3 or 4 yrs, no problems yet.
I do a combo of pressure & water bath. |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2873 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2873 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 12:17:23 PM
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| Oh yeah, I just remembered. Somewhere on here a year or so ago, some of the gals were talking about buying a separate little electric burner that they just used for canning. It plugged in the wall & just looked like a burner. You could probably find anywhere. |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 12:23:46 PM
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Hmm, see that's what I was thinking too Lisa, that the steamer would be lighter with out so much water.
OTOH I have done large pots of water on my stove not knowing you weren't supposed to till just now! lol haha My dad does too though on his and he is the one who owns this apartment and stove......hahaha He has 17 children, when we cook say spaghetti we use HUGE pots so far no problems, so I was not sure what the problem was with canning on the stove top when I read that today. lol haha But, then I thought if it was a weight issue maybe the steamer was the way to go. Cause it takes such little water in comparison.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 5:03:25 PM
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Heather, if you are wanting to do waterbath canning, both Lowes and Walmart here have an enamel canner that is flat on the bottom instead of ribbed and is approved for glass top stoves. I've incuded a photo of the two bottoms. The one in the foreground is for gas and electric stoves with eyes and the one in the background is suitable for glass tops too.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 9:26:56 PM
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Awe I see! I think I had the one in the front! I guess I will be needing to make a trip to WM, do you think Ace would have it? I think I will try to get over to Ace tomorrow. I like to give the little guy my money first. I bought my other one from Lehman's, but that cost more then Ace, and Ace is still the little guy around here at least.
Next question, what does every one think of this-it's on sale at my Krogers this month-http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ball-Small-Batch-Canning-Kit/15637738
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 9:30:42 PM
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oh and another question, if I do buy a pressure one, how long do you process things that have water bath processing instructions, I mean is there a calculation of sorts?
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 10:39:37 PM
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If you buy a new pressure canner it will come with a book that will give you processing times.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 12:22:54 AM
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ok thanks Sheri, cause eventually I do want a pressure one.......if I buy one this year, it will take all my spending money left till tax time next year. (around Feb, we always get our taxes done way early). I usually try to eek out my spending money from it. My husband and I pay all the bills ahead that we can for the year-insurance on car, tags of car, etc etc for the entire year. Put a bit back for savings, and then split the extra between us for our year's worth of spending money. I get half and he gets half, and that's our "fun" money for the year we can spend on anything we want with out having to have a family discussion about! lol haha It wasn't much this year, and since it's been five months about all I have left is around 150 dollars. I try not to spend ALL my fun money, I try to save a bit of it, and roll it over to the next year for "just in case" and rainy days...at the same time do I want to spend money on a canner that I may have some where already when eventually I was going to add a pressure canner to the mix any way......decisions decisions!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 05:19:56 AM
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Heather, Ace might have it too. I bought the flat bottomed one at Lowe's. Oh, and you can purchase a Ball canning book at Walmart too, and that has all of the processing times for just about everything. I think it runs about $10.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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woolgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
901 Posts
Elizabeth
Great Lakes
IL
USA
901 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 06:51:35 AM
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I like the individual jar lifter over the basket. They usually have them at Ace or Walmart too for under 5 dollars typically. There are 2 canning books at our WM, one about $10 and one is arouind $5. Really you can find any onfo out online you would need though is you are trying to save money (especially from Mary Beth's blog!).
I love canning. It is the most gratifying thing to have all you rown canned veggies and jams. I aksed for my canner for my birthday this year and it the best present I think I have ever gotten!
Liz
Farmgirl #1947
www.militaryfarmgirl.blogspot.com |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 07:03:01 AM
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Elizabeth, isn't that the truth??!! I love canning and having those pretty jars in rows, all different colors - it's like an Andy Warhol painting!! :-)
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 07:43:16 AM
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Thanks Gals, I did have the individual can picker upper. It's gone with the canner pot! I will probably just buy the whole kit if I get it again. (comes with the magnetic stick for the lids, etc.) I must admit I liked the jar picker upper even in NYC I used it to pick up baby bottles when I was sterilizing them, nipples, etc. So much less dangerous!
I do have a few canning books, including two ball ones. Walmart has another one by Better Homes and Gardens that looks awesome though too.
But, the thing was, most of them if they have timing for water bath processing does not say alternatively to use X amount of time if using a pressure canner instead of a water bath canner. It has one or the other timing listed but not both.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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woolgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
901 Posts
Elizabeth
Great Lakes
IL
USA
901 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 1:11:01 PM
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Hey Heather, I just saw a thing at Walmart today that is the jar lifter, magnetic stick thing, and funnel for $6.97. They also has a pressure canner for 65 dollars!
I wonder if they only the pressure canned times if something should be pressure canned and not water bathed. That is what I would think.
Liz
Farmgirl #1947
www.militaryfarmgirl.blogspot.com |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 1:52:01 PM
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yeah low acid things HAVE to be pressure canned, and not water bathed, but high acid things can be water bathed. I am sure high acid can be pressure canned as well, as since the only reason for pressure canning the low acid things is to prevent bacteria and to kill off MORE bacteria cause the pressure canner gets hotter then water bathing. Or maybe it's the other way around on the acid, I can't remember. lol But, it's based on acid one needs pressure and the other can do water. lol
I did go to ACE, they had one canning pot but I'm not sure what the bottom looked like it was way too high up. The only person working there today gives me the creeps so I just left for another day. He may be a nice guy, I'm just creeped out by him. Can't put my finger on it though. But, oh well, another day! lol
That's a GREAT deal. And yes, that's what I will be getting, our Krogers has a kit on sale that has 7 things, I think I will get it. I think cause of the same the 7 things are the same price as the three things at WM. It has one of those poker things to poke down veggies/fruit too so you don't have air pockets in there. And a few other things. A funnel and such.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
Edited by - MagnoliaWhisper on Jul 02 2011 1:54:18 PM |
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MamaCrunch
True Blue Farmgirl
161 Posts
Nasvhille
TN
USA
161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 3:23:06 PM
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I use my pressure canner as a waterbath canner. I just don't put the lid on.
We bought a presto pressure canner at a hardware store and love it!
Farmgirl #2161
Just tryin' to homestead in the middle of a suburban neighborhood!
Blog~ http://thelittleboygreen.com |
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woolgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
901 Posts
Elizabeth
Great Lakes
IL
USA
901 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 4:22:25 PM
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See that's what I'm thinking...if you are going to HAVE to buy a new one I would just buy a pressure canner since you can use it as both. I will have to look at the bottom of mine to see what it looks like to see if you can use it on a glass range.
Liz
Farmgirl #1947
www.militaryfarmgirl.blogspot.com |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2011 : 4:32:42 PM
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Heather, you are right that the reason for no interchange of times is that things to be pressure canned must be pressure canned and can't be waterbath canned. You can pressure can those things that are waterbathed, but in doing so, you run the risk of coming up with mushy food. For example, if you pressure can apples, your apples will be so cooked and squishy you might as well have apple sauce!! :-) Good luck with you canner shopping!
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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Farm Kitchen: Canning |
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Canning
