Canning Food

What Is Canning?

Canning is a food preservation technique that is used to store food in jars for longer periods. The process of canning is most widely used to preserve fruits and vegetables effectively for later use. You can also store meats, seafood, jams, jellies, and more recipes in jars by canning.

The process of canning includes boiling food in jars at high temperatures for some time, which pushes air from the canning jar and creates a vacuum seal inside the jar. This further kills bacteria and other microorganisms, that could otherwise cause food spoilage.

Water bath canning and pressure canning are the most popular home canning methods for food preservation in jars. However, for canning, you need proper equipment because without them the process will not be completed.

Which Jars Are Ideal For Canning?

The market offers many varieties of jars- they vary in size and shape. Some jars have wide mouths, while others are narrow. The jars also vary in size from 4 ounces to 32 ounces and more. They are most commonly referred to as pint-size jars, quart jars, or half-pint jars.

Now, if you are to decide which jars are ideal for canning, it solely depends on the type of food you are preserving. Different food items need different jars for storage. For example, you can store fruits and vegetables in pint-size jars, whereas you can store meats and seafood in quart jars.

With proper jars for canning, you also need specific lids and bands to seal the jars adequately. Also, make sure not to reuse the jar lids and bands while storing food. You can reuse the jars though after sterilizing them.

Preparing The Canning Equipment

You need specific equipment, especially glass jars that are designed especially for canning, otherwise, the food stored in the jars might get spoiled. Using appropriate equipment will ensure adequate preservation of the foods. Check out the list of canning equipment below.

• Canning jars of different sizes
• Respective lids for the jars
• Metal canning rings or bands for sealing the jars
• Canning pot to process the jars
• Water bath canner or pressure canner
• Ladle and funnel to fill the jars
• A jar lifter or canning jar tongs

Preparing Jars For Canning

Preparing the jars is a very important step in the canning process. The jars need to be adequately cleaned and sterilized before storing any food item in them. To prepare jars for canning, check out the following steps.

• Take hot soapy water in a large pot and place the jars, lids, and bands in it. Let it remain for some time, and then rinse the equipment thoroughly. Drain all the extra water, and place the jars, lids, and bands on a shelf for drying.
• In the meantime, fill the canner with water and place it on the stove to boil. Keep the flame on medium heat, and as soon as you are ready to fill the jars turn down the heat. This will keep the boiling water warm.
• On another saucepan or pot, place the jar lids and the bands, and fill it with hot water. Boil them on low heat until just simmering. Do not completely simmer the equipment. Once it is done, turn off the heat and keep the jar lids and bands warm.

All this is done to sterilize the jars and all the other equipment before canning. The method is best to prepare glass jars for canning, and all of these will take about 25-30 minutes. Clean jars will prevent bacteria and other microorganisms.

Why Is It Important To Sterilize The Jars?

Jars are the main equipment in canning. It is important to sterilize the jars, especially when preserving fruits and vegetables that require less than 10 minutes of processing time in a boiling water canner. This is because sterilized jars are the cleanest and will therefore prevent bacterial or fungal growth on the food.

However, sterilization of the jars is only necessary if you are using the water bath canning method. Sterilizing canning jars is not required in pressure canning. On the other hand, if you are going to process the filled jars in boiling water for more than 10 minutes, it is not necessary to pre-sterilize the jars.

How To Sterilize Canning Jars?

Sterilization is a crucial step in the food preservation process and therefore needs to be done carefully. Also, sterilizing your jars will be ineffective, if your surrounding areas are not clean enough. Clean jars are capable of picking bacteria from the surroundings, therefore, keeping the immediate area neat is vital.

Check out the steps to sterilize the canning jars below.

• Fill a canner or a big pot with water and bring it to a boil.
• Place the empty jars right-side up in the hot water.
• The jars should be completely submerged in the hot water.
• Bring the water to a rolling simmer and set the timer.
• Boil the jars for a minimum of 10 minutes and turn off the heat.
• Use a jar lifter to take out the jars and drain them thoroughly.

The jars are sterilized and can be kept for about an hour before you fill them with food. This is the only possible way to sterilize jars in a water canner. Food experts suggest sterilizing your canning jars this way and avoiding any other method to sterilize the jars.

Also, keep in mind, never sterilize the jars in a dishwasher. That is a big no when it comes to preserving food in the kitchen.

What Happens If You Do Not Sterilize The Jars Before Canning?

As mentioned above, sterilization of the jars is an important step to preserve the food, but not necessary for jars that are boiled in the canner for more than 10 minutes. However, if you do not sterilize the required jars before canning, the food stored is likely to develop bacteria, fungi, or yeast. The food inside will get infected, and thus degrade very quickly.

Sterilization is therefore a crucial step in the canning process to keep away bacterial and fungal build-up on the preserved food. You do not need to sterilize the jars on a pressure canning method, because then the jars are sterilized anyway in the canner.

What Is The Water Boiling Process?

The water boiling process or the water bath canning process is a way of food preservation that involves boiling the jars at high temperatures in the canner. You can preserve foods such as fruits, fruit juices, jams, jellies, tomatoes, pie fillings, and more, using this method.

The water boiling process of the jars is the best canning option for beginners, or when you are canning food at home frequently. This also does not take much time and is suitable for 4-8 ounce or 12-ounce jars.

This method is ideal for high-acid foods. The process involves heating filled jars of food in a water bath canner to preserve the food for longer. However, the boiling time of the filled jars in the canner depends on the type of food you are canning.

Summing it up that was all about preparing jars for canning. It is an easy process and is effective for food storage in jars. Now you also know that all the glass jars are not suitable for every type of food, you need specific home canning jars and lids for food storage. Lastly, you can also preserve any cooked recipe using this method.

 

 

What Are Canning Jars?

Canning jars are essentially food storage containers that are most frequently used in households and for commercial purposes to preserve food products. They are typically made of glass. In honor of the American tinsmith John Mason, they are also referred to as “mason jars.”

The word can is precisely derived from the word canister, and then comes canning. It is a great food preservation technique that can store food for longer without the refrigerator or freezer. Canning jars these days can also be found made of wood, plastic, and metal, other than glass.

Canning jars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, especially glass ones. There are many options available, so pick the one that best fits your needs. Also, while buying a glass canning jar, take note of the size of the mouth, whether it fits your needs or not. This is because along with a vast variety of designs, they also come in different mouth sizes.

You can use a canning jar for almost all types of food items. The finest foods to can are whole fruits, spicy foods, meat, and regular vegetables. Canning jars have an airtight closure and therefore can be sealed securely with proper canning jar lids. This is another reason that food preserves well while canning.

Canning Jar Types

The most widely used type of canning jar is the glass canning jars. However, the type can also be determined by the shapes and sizes of the canning jars. There are many different kinds of canning jars. Most glass canning vessels can be used again and are safe to use in pressure and boiling water canners. You can also use some canning jars made of glass for freezing.

Before discussing the types of canning jars, there is one important detail that you should not miss. You can always reuse the canning jars made of glass that are bought for use in homes. However, glass jars used for commercially manufactured products should not be used for home canning as they are designed for single use only.

Canning jars are classified into regular-mouth and wide-mouth glass canning vessels when we talk about their shapes. And they are classified into pint jars, quart jars, and half-gallon jars when we talk about their sizes. However, their better classification would be based on mason jar sizes and targeted use. Check out each of the types here.

Regular Mouth Canning Jars

Jars with a regular opening are tapered inwards at the top. These canning jars are more adaptable and are available in a range of sizes. They are most commonly used in households to store food items such as syrups, jams, jellies, sliced fruit, and sauces.

You can use different sizes of regular-mouth canning jars to store various quantities of food items. The smaller ones are ideal for storing smaller amounts of food at a time. This also reduces food wastage. If you want to store large quantities of food at a time, the larger ones are best suited.

Wide Mouth Canning Jars

Wide-mouth canning jars are predominantly used for canning larger food produce. Because of their wide-opening mouth, you get better accessibility to the contents after canning. These kinds of jars are frequently used for preserving salsa, fruit butter, relishes, and other such foods.

Jars with wide mouths are straighter and more uniform in shape than regular jars. These jars are used for foods that will stay in the container well until completely consumed. You can also preserve whole or half-cut fruits and vegetables in wide-mouth jars.

Pint Size Canning Jars

Pint canning jars are mostly found in two widely used sizes- 8oz and 16oz. The 8-ounce size is basically a half-size pint jar and is used for storing food items in smaller quantities. If you are making gifts or you want to store small batches of jams, jellies, and preserves, then the half-size pint jars are the best.

However, the 16-ounce pint jar is not very big in size. It is the ideal size for storing food items that can be served to a few people at a time. Pint-size canning jars are also best for storing corn kernels. This is because pint jars are the perfect size to fit corn kernels closer together. Other than these, finely cut vegetables and fruits can be stored perfectly in pint jars. There are also wide-mouth pint jars.

Quarter-Pint Mason Jars

Quart jars are comparatively larger in size than pint jars. They are usually found in 32 ounces. These jars are a fantastic option for canning practically any fruit or veggie due to their adaptability and larger size.

However, keep the mouth measurement in mind while choosing quart jars as they are available in both regular and wide-mouth options. This will also be decided by the intended use of the quart jar. For smaller vegetables like asparagus or carrots; you can use a regular mouth quart jar. And for larger fruits and veggies; choose a wide-mouth quart jar.

Half-Gallon Size Canning Jars

Half-gallon canning jar or half-gallon mason jar has a specific usage, unlike the other types of canning jars. Instead of canning food, they are most popularly used for storing fruit juices effectively. Grape juice and apple juice are most commonly stored in half-gallon jars.

Jars that are half-gallon sized are also available in two varieties- regular mouth jars and wide mouth jars. Both of these have specific usages. You should choose the type depending on the intended use.

Other Canning Jar Sizes

Apart from the most common types of canning jars, there are also several other canning jar sizes that are not very widely used. They are generally smaller in size than the regular sizes or larger. If you want to store very small quantities of foods, such as relishes, then choose the smaller canning jars. They can also be ideal for presenting as gifts.

On the other hand, the odd-shaped large canning jars are used for storing huge quantities of food or food items that can not be chopped finely. One of the best examples of this would be canning meat as they are simple to store in large canning jars.

Summing it up, that was all about the types of canning jars. Now you know what to do the next time you are unsure of which sort of canning jar to use for a given task.

How To Start Canning?

If you want to store food for later use, or you have stocked too much of certain fruits and vegetables at your home, you might think of canning as a process of preserving them. Home canning is a fantastic method to retain the flavor of the food at its best for year-round consumption.

Canning protects the finest flavors in foods like jams, jellies, tomato sauce, and homemade pickles, along with fruits and vegetables. You can also preserve cooked food by canning. This means you can make food ahead of time and store them for later consumption. But you must be thinking about how to start.

It is quite simple to get started with canning. You have to begin by choosing the right jars for canning. All kinds of food products are not suitable for every kind of canning jar, so make sure you make an informed decision. Canning jars are available in a lot of varieties depending on their sizes and shapes. Also, food experts say that different food items need different storage requirements.

Therefore, the type of food that you are canning will be a key factor in deciding the type of canning jars. Another important criterion that you should know before you start is that there are two distinct methods of canning: water bath canner and pressure canner. And the method you choose will also depend on the type of canned food. Read on to know more!

Things You Need For Canning

Canning can be interpreted as a form of cooking. This is because here you are preparing food for your future meals. However, you need a few basic apparatuses for canning. Check out the list of required supplies below.

• Different sizes of canning jars- pint jars, quant jars, and half-gallon jars.
• Jar lids and screw bands to tightly secure the canning jars.
• Pressure canner and water bath canner for the canning methods.
• A good quality jar lifter to lift the hot jars.
• A ladle to fill the canning jars with food.
• A wide-mouth canning funnel to avoid spillage while filling the jars.

The mentioned canning supplies are readily available in a majority of the online and offline stores. You can either buy them in numbers or kits; this is up to you and your canning needs. While buying canning jars, look for high-quality ones because it is going to be a one-time investment. You can always reuse the canning jars and other equipment effectively, except for single-use lids.

Also, while buying canning jars, make sure you carefully check the rim for any minor chips or cracks. And reject the rusted lids. Otherwise, they might cause leakage and ruin the canning process before it starts. Use clean jars instead for the best results.

Things To Know Before You Start Canning

Canning is a process of using high temperatures to destroy microorganisms and inactivate enzymes that could cause food to spoil. This keeps the food fresh in the enclosed jars for a long time. However, there are several essential things that you should know before starting the process of canning.

Check them out here.

• Always go for fresh and best-quality fruits and vegetables while canning. Do not use overripe or slightly rotten produce as they will degrade the canning process and spoil the food.
• Make sure you have everything you need before you begin canning. Also, follow the instructions and guidelines carefully; do not add anything of your own.
• Use clean jars. You can also sterilize the canning jars by washing them thoroughly and then keeping them steam hot in a saucepan of boiling water bath.
• Use particular canning lids and screw bands for the jars. This will ensure adequate sealing of the canning jars.
• Do not fill the canning jars all the way to the top. Leave a headspace of about half an inch. This will be beneficial when you are heating the jars.
• Use jar lifters to pick the jars from the boiling water. This will ensure safety and avoid the risk of accidents.

The Two Methods Of Canning

Water-bath canning and pressure canning are the two home canning methods. The method you should follow will solely depend on the type of food you are canning. Further, canning methods depend on the acid level a food contains.

High acid fruits and vegetables can be canned through the water bath method. On the other hand, low acid foods such as meat and seafood are ideal for pressure canning. There are plenty of other food items that can be canned with either of the two methods.

Canning Foods With Water Bath Canner

• Pickles
• Tomatoes
• Jams
• Jellies
• Salsas
• Fruit Butter

Canning Foods With Pressure Canner

• Green Beans
• Corn
• Meat
• Seafood
• Mushrooms
• Watermelons

Which Method Of Canning Should You Start With?

While there is no particular method that you should prefer over the other to start canning. Both of the methods are equally easy and do not require a lot of work. However, you need to make sure you follow the canning guidelines properly to ensure the best results.

If you are new to canning and can not figure out where to start, you can begin with canning pickles with the water bath method. Once you have canned foods for the first time, you will not regret it. The process of canning will also seem easy for you.

In conclusion, that was all about how you can start canning at home as a beginner. By now you must be aware of the basic needs and knowledge of canning food. So the next time you want to store your food for longer, you know what to do. Canning also works well for cooking recipes, such as homemade strawberry jam or soups.

What Is Canning?

Canning is predominantly a food preservation method. In this process, food is preserved in canning jars at high temperatures for an extended period of time. This further destroys microorganisms and inactivates enzymes that could otherwise cause food spoilage. The method also stops the bacterial build-up that can ruin the food.

However, while canning food, you need to follow several important steps that can not be missed. The most crucial among them is to keep out the air. While canning involves vacuum sealing that protects the food from air contamination, you need to make sure that the food you are canning comes into minimal contact with air.

Why Should You Choose The Food Canning Method?

Food canning has a number of advantages. Foods in cans, especially fruits, and vegetables, become inexpensive, filling, delectable, and simple to prepare. The method of canning is also a great way to store food for longer.

Check out the benefits of canning food here.

• Food in cans is convenient to consume. This is because they can be available all year round and they are ready to use for meals. It might not always be possible to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables, so, canned foods come to the rescue.
• Canning food helps against food contamination and food wastage. The canning process preserves the food in a certain way that does not allow air contact. So, the food is not exposed to air and hence there is no contamination.
• Foods that are acidic in nature preserve best while canning. Canning is ideal for both low and high acidic food items, such as pickles, jellies, and most types of fruits. The reason for this is that these foods require only pasteurization temperatures for canning.
• Foods that are canned have an increased shelf-life. Generally, food items that last for about a week or a month, can last for a minimum of 3 months if canned properly. The shelf-life of canned food products depends on what you are canning.
• Canned food products are healthy and as nutritious as fresh food produce. Fruits and vegetables that are canned in their own juices instead of syrups have the maximum health benefits.

What Is The Process Of Canning Food?

Canning food is a simple 5-step approach. It is quite easy to can food, but make sure you follow the steps carefully. Check out the steps below.

1. Fruits and veggies must be thoroughly washed before being canned. Run the fruits and vegetables under water sprays, blanch them, and then cut, peel, slice, grate, or chop accordingly.
2. For canning, use particular fruit and vegetable juices. You can also use syrups or brine. Fill the cans with these liquids and food products you wish to can. Filling the can with both liquid and solid ingredients removes the air and leads to better canning.
3. Once the cans are filled, close the lids and secure them tightly. Take a large pot and fill it with water. Bring it to a boil and put the cans of food in the hot water. Let the cans remain in the water bath for some time; this will drive out the remaining air.
4. Heating the cans in a water bath appropriately will also destroy all microorganisms. Remove the cans from the water, sterilize them, and set them in cold water for cooling. You can also let them cool at normal room temperature.
5. Lastly, when the canned foods have cooled completely, seal them. Also, do not forget to label and date the canning jars so that you know how long they have been canned. Once all of these steps are fulfilled, your food items are ready to be canned effectively.

What Are The Methods Of Canning?

The canning method determines the effectiveness of canning food. There are two most popular home canning methods: water bath canning and pressure canning. However, the methods differ depending on the type of food you want to can. Learn more about the ways of canning here.

Water Bath Canning

Water Bath Canning: Food items and recipes that are highly acidic are ideal for the water bath method as the procedure involves canning at a lower temperature. Jams, jellies, fruits, pickles, chutneys, tomatoes, salsas, sauces, and seasonings are examples.

Pressure Canning

Pressure Canning: This process uses high temperatures, and low-acid foods require this pressure canner method of preserving for a longer shelf-life. It is recommended for meats, chicken, vegetables, chili, and seafood.

How Do These Methods Work?

Now you know that canning is a food preservation technique that works well with most fruits and vegetables. You must also be aware of the process of canning food. But, how does canning work? How can canning help in preserving food for longer?

Canning essentially involves heating the sealed food for some time and this causes the food to expand and release steam. The formation of steam further forces air out of the cans. And when the cans are cooled, it creates a vacuum seal on the jar, thus improving the canning process.

Tips And Tricks For Home Canning Methods

While canning food, you need to follow the canning instructions adequately for desired results. However, there are a few tips and tricks that you can adhere to for improved canning. Check out the tips and tricks for canning food effectively.

• If you intend to can fruits and vegetables, use fresh and organic produce. Avoid overripe or slightly rotten fruits and vegetables.
• Use specific methods for different food items. Check whether the food you are canning has a high or low acid content and can accordingly.
• Leave a headspace between the food item and the jar lid. Otherwise, the jars will not seal adequately with canning lids if they are overfilled.

How Long Do Canned Foods Last?

Canning increases the shelf-life of food products by up to 2 years if the jars are kept unopened. If you open the jar, you need to consume the food within 3 months. However, the shelf-life of canned food items depends on what you are canning.

It is important that you store the canned foods in a cool and dry place for better results. Also, if you are canning sweet savories such as homemade jams, they can last for more than 2 years. This is because they contain sugar and sugar reacts extremely well to canning.

Summing it up, that was all about canning food, methods of canning, and the process of canning. So, the next time you want to preserve food for longer, you know what to do.