Canning Basics for Beginners

Preserve the season’s freshest fruits and vegetables with canning. Canning is the perfect way to savor the flavor of your favorite foods so you can enjoy them all year long. If you’re new to canning, it can be a little overwhelming. This edition of TRIO focuses on three things to consider when contemplating canning.

1. Method

There are two types of methods for canning – water bath canning and pressure canning. Water bath canning uses hot water to preserve your favorite foods. Filled canning jars are placed in water that is heated to a boil. Pressure canning is similar to water bath canning, but it uses pressurized steam to create a much higher temperature. The acid content of what you’re canning dictates which method you should use. Foods that have a higher acid content should be canned using the water bath canning method. Foods with low acid require the use of pressure canning. This article outlines which process to use with what food and recommended processing times.

2. Supplies

The good news about canning is it doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Essential supplies include jars, lids, rims, a rack for jars to sit on in hot water, a kitchen timer and a jar lifter. Depending on which canning method you are using you will need a large stock pot or pressure cooker. This article from Savvy Gardening provides helpful tips for essential and additional canning tools that will enhance your canning experience. Canning jars come in a variety of sizes. The type of food you are preserving will dictate which jar would be best. This jar guide from Ball can help you choose the right jar for your food.

3. Foods

Not all foods can well. The best items to can are those that you already see in the store. The next time you’re shopping take a minute and get ideas for what you might be able to make yourself. If you’re looking for ideas and recipes, check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation. They offer tips on canning everything from fruits and vegetables to nuts and meats.

Interested in savoring fresh flavor all year long? Join us for our upcoming Preserving the Harvest class where you’ll learn the secrets of canning and freezing fresh fruits and vegetables. Call 405.377.3333 with questions or register here. To find out about more courses like this sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. View all of our upcoming classes in our digital catalog.

Cara Adney is the Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator at Meridian Technology Center.