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Farm Kitchen:  Getting a presser canner/need advice  |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 13 2013 : 01:57:25 AM
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Good morning!
In a few weeks I am going to be getting my first presser canner, an All-American 15-1/2-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner. I want to build up my food stores, save money, etc. I did a lot of research & this is suppose to be a good one.
I want to can stews, soups, veggies, sauces, meats, pie fillings, etc. I heard pasta doesnt can well. Does anyone have any tips for a newbie?
I already can jams, but water bath canning is so limited. I already have the Ball canning book, and another book, so i have some good- i've always feared a presser canner exploding in my face. By the looks of the one i'm getting, it looks like the lid bolts down.
Thanks
Connie
http://www.naturemaiden.com/ - Soap & Candle
http://modern-day-laura.blogspot.com/ -Filled with everything I love!
http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/ -Vintage Sewing Machines, Sewing machine parts and more.
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Edited by - naturemaiden on Jan 13 2013 01:59:10 AM |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13779 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13779 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2013 : 06:48:33 AM
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Connie,
My mom used a pressure cooker for cooking certain things for meals and a pressure canner while canning. I grew up around them and learned how to use them.
I own several in different sizes and I LOVE THEM!!!
Just follow directions for use and you'll do fine. Canning directions will give you time and pressure for particular items. Directions should also tell you about how much water, etc. And, there are certain things that must be processed in a pressure canner.
Main thing is to go with that and NEVER try to open a lid until the pressure has gone down.
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
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from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3529 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3529 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2013 : 07:22:11 AM
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Connie...I bought a Presto 23 qt presser canner last year and was scared to death to use it but all worked out well. Canned really well for me. I do think you like it alot.
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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SandraM
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
Sandra
Coldwater
Michigan
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2013 : 6:29:12 PM
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You will lose your fear of them after you start using it.
I have the mirro brand. I am not sure how it compares with the other but I got both of them on clearance so the cost was a factor.
I have been happy with them.
I have had to replace the gasket but other than that they work great.
I have the ball canning book and they give a lot of great recipes. Also check out your extension office they offer a lot of help and information too.
Sandra
www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com |
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Erin Rock
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Erin
Grand Blanc
MI
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2013 : 06:29:00 AM
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Try the sbcanning.com she has a lot of great recipes in her pressure canning section and she is a certified master canner in case the idea of canning online recipes makes you nervous (it does me).
Erin Rock (sister #4131)
Tree Huggin'
Bunny Lovin'
Dirt Worshipper! |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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Erin Rock
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Erin
Grand Blanc
MI
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2013 : 3:48:58 PM
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hmmm I'm not sure why but it seems several other people have had the same problem. I'm very sorry about sending you to a link that didn't work hopefully it is up and running again soon she had some wonderful recipes.
Erin Rock (sister #4131)
Tree Huggin'
Bunny Lovin'
Dirt Worshipper! |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2013 : 8:23:41 PM
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Read your instruction manual :) haha, I say that b/c I'm a manual reader and my husband is not :) But really, I'm sure your manual will tell you to run through a cycle without any food products in it to get a feel for it. . .after that I'll bet you'll feel much more confident! :) Have fun and I'm sure you'll enjoy what you produce!! We love the convenience of canned meats and soups.
http://troutwife.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/brooktroutwife |
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CurlysQuilts
True Blue Farmgirl
569 Posts
Sarah
Northeast Kingdom
VT
USA
569 Posts |
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Lanna
True Blue Farmgirl
330 Posts
Lanna
A little town in Idaho
330 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2013 : 12:48:59 AM
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You will *love* your pressure canner. Are you getting the smaller one or the 921? I've got a 921, and it'll be pried from my cold, dead hands, that sucker will outlive me, and I love, love, love it. As do friends - a friend was sick/detoxing last week, she put out a call on FB for chicken stock, I was able to give her a dozen pints of concentrated chicken stock from my pantry to help heal her up.  Anyway.
I've had jars slide apart/crack in my pressure canner (All American 921). I never knew until after the fact. One day I got a load of green beans going and they finished just in time for me to turn the burner off and go to bed. Woke up the next morning, opened up the canner, and there it was. A former jar of green beans. I still had to pry the lid off of the canner, it was still very much sealed up.
Nope, things with dairy/flour can do funny stuff/go rancid over the course of a year or so, depending. Noodles are easy enough, just dry. I have some homemade egg noodles I made like 3 years ago that I dried really well (I puffy heart my Excalibur!) that are still more than edible.
If you need thoughts for another book, I mostly use my yellow spined Ball Complete Book of Canning... http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Complete-Book-Home-Preserving/dp/0778801314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358498506&sr=8-1&keywords=ball+complete+book+of+home+preserving
I hardly ever look in the blue book anymore. I've seen the yellow Ball book at Costco, of course after I'd already gotten it from Amazon. :D
Moving on... go slow. Pick one recipe to start with canning-wise, and allow yourself double the supposed time they say so you can take your time and get it done correctly. Chicken stock's an easy-ish one, especially since there's not really anything in season up north here right now (the vinegar rim tip I've had to tell friends about is one I found in the yellow book!). Oh, and grease your [metal] seal. I'm horrible at that, I need to get better at it.
*****************
Lanna, homeschooling mama to four little monkeys that still try to jump on the bed |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2013 : 02:26:36 AM
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Lanna I'm gettting the All-American 15-1/2-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner. I wanted to 921 but because we have a microwave over the stove i dont believe it would fit. thanks for all the great advice! i'm so excited. my mil told me about a pressure canner that exploded on someone once. i'm sure it was an old school canner, because i'm thinking that the all american can't exploded considering it's screwed down?
as far as noodles, i just started making my own from scratch (taste so much better than store bought), and i thought i stick them in a jar and use a food saver to pull the air out for long term storage.
can i can the dried noodles with a soup?
Connie
http://www.naturemaiden.com/ - Soap & Candle
http://modern-day-laura.blogspot.com/ -Filled with everything I love!
http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/ -Vintage Sewing Machines, Sewing machine parts and more.
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Edited by - naturemaiden on Jan 18 2013 02:28:43 AM |
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Erin Rock
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Erin
Grand Blanc
MI
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2013 : 06:04:57 AM
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Okay sbcanning.com is back up and running.
Erin Rock (sister #4131)
Tree Huggin'
Bunny Lovin'
Dirt Worshipper! |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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Farm Kitchen: Getting a presser canner/need advice |
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Getting a presser canner/need advice
