Reddit mentions of Ball Home Canning Basics Kit 11102

Here are all the things you need to know to start canning foods at home.

Canning Basics

Only Pressure Canning is recommended by the USDA for home canning of Meats or Vegetables. I recommend this large capacity pressure canner

Fruits, Jams and Jellies, Tomatoes and Salsas can be Water Bath Canned in most cases. This is a nice kit to get started with from Jarden

Ignore the steam canner, microwave canner, open water bath kettle, and any "reusable" canning lids---these are all a quick way to discover food poisoning.

Buy standard canning jars at garage sales and thrift stores---I like the wide mouth jars best. I also run an ad on craigslist offering to buy jars when I need them. I pay $2.50 per dozen for the pint size and $4.00 a dozen for the quart size. Carefully check each jar's rim to make sure there are no flaws or chips. (Always store empty jars with rings on them to avoid getting chips.) New jars with lids and rings are available in most grocery stores for $9-$14 per dozen. Buy brand name jars only---this is not a time to use cheap knock offs. Each jar should be clearly imprinted Ball, Mason or Kerr. There are many brands of vintage jars and all of those should be fine as long as the rim is sound. Save the boxes and dividers that come with new jars and use them to store the finished products.

Always use new canning lids Never reuse this part!

Remember, you don't have to grow a garden to benefit from home canning--now is a great time to buy produce while it's cheap!

Today's Buy of the Day: 12 ounce bags organic green beans-already trimmed and washed at 2/$1.00 = 24 quarts of green beans with bacon and shitaki mushrooms(33 cents a pack!) now in the pantry for about 50 cents per quart!