Before I decided to can food on my own, I had to ask for a list of canning supplies and equipment I needed to have from my Nana. Because as someone who wants everything to be done perfectly, I need to prepare all the things I need before canning. Moreover, I don’t want to waste my time going back and forth to the market just because I don’t have that one ingredient or tool.
And I’m really forgetful, so I needed the ultimate list of the canning supplies and equipment. If you’re a meticulous yet forgetful home cook like me, I will share this with you. Believe me; I know your struggle. Luckily, my Nana willingly shared her list of canning supplies and equipment for you to make delicious jams or pickled cucumbers.
What are the Basic Canning Supplies and Equipment to Have
We all love delicious homemade jams and crunchy pickles, but without the right supplies and knowledge of how to use them, you’ll have to buy those in the market. But don’t worry because you can make your own delicious canned foods if you equip your kitchen with these canning supplies and equipment.
Pressure Canner or Water Bath Canner
If you’re an adventurous cook like me, it’s a good idea to have both a pressure canner and a water bath canner on hand. Depending on the recipes you want to make, it may or may not be necessary, but having one ready will give you more freedom to explore new dishes and techniques.
Water Bath Canner
A water bath canner is the most popular, simple, and easy-to-use type of canning device. This type of canner is ideal for creating jams, preserves, jellies, and other types of canned fruits and vegetables. It is a great way to preserve your favorite foods so that you can enjoy them throughout the year.
This type of canner requires a large pot to cover the jars with at least one inch of boiling water over them during the processing time. While it may take some practice to become familiar with this process, it’s an easy way to get started with food preservation!
Pressure Canner
A pressure canner is much more complex and valuable than a regular boiling water bath canner. It comes with a vent, seal, and pressure gauge. This particular equipment assists in forming a tight atmosphere and lets you process the food at higher temperatures. The advantages of this process enable the safe processing of low-acid food.
It is the perfect choice if you want to preserve meats, fish, and a wide range of vegetables for long-term storage. This type of canner provides an effective way to seal food products in airtight jars so they will remain safe from spoilage and retain their nutritional value over time. It also helps to eliminate bacteria that can be harmful to your health.
Jars for Canning
Of course, you will need containers to store and preserve your food. Canning jars come in various sizes, styles, and features. The most popular type of canning jar is the Mason jar, which is available in a range of sizes from half-pint to quart and beyond. These jars feature a two-part lid consisting of a flat metal lid with a sealing compound and a screw-on band to hold the cover in place during processing.
Canning Bands and Lids
Nana suggests that to effectively preserve food through the canning process, you will need to have a set of special lids and bands on hand. Usually, when you buy new jars, there are lids and rubber seals that come along. These lids must be secured tightly onto the jar for it to remain sealed properly, thus ensuring that your food items are kept safe from any contaminants or other outside elements.
Canning bands provide extra security by adding an additional layer of protection to keep the lid firmly in place and guarantee that there is an airtight seal. Having these essential canning supplies and equipment readily available is necessary if you want to preserve foods correctly and safely.
Food Mill or Strainer
If you want can sauces, investing in a food mill or a strainer will be incredibly beneficial and time-saving. These tools quickly remove skins and seeds, which would otherwise have to be done by hand. It will really save you from spending hours painstakingly picking out the undesired ingredients.
Canning Funnel
Canning jars typically come in a range of mouth sizes, from wide to narrow. So, having funnels designed for each size of the jar can be extremely beneficial to speed up the process. Not only does this make it easier to pour the ingredients into the jars without spilling, but it also saves time and energy.
Jar Lifter
A jar lifter is an incredibly useful and convenient tool that makes it effortless to remove scorching hot jars from a canner. It is designed to be compatible with any size of the jar, thus making it an ideal device for anyone who likes to preserve food at home. This handy utensil makes the task of taking out boiling jars safe and easy, preventing burns or other injuries that could occur when attempting this without the necessary protection.
A Nice Chopper
A nice chopper is another good to have canning tool when canning foods because it can save time and effort by quickly and efficiently chopping ingredients into small, uniform pieces. This is especially important when canning recipes that require consistent ingredient sizes for even cooking and processing. A chopper can also help reduce the risk of injury and fatigue that can come from chopping ingredients by hand.
Sturdy Ladle
When canning, it is essential to have a strong ladle that you can use to transfer sauces and other liquids into jars with ease. A sturdy ladle will make the entire process of preserving foods much simpler, allowing you to quickly fill jars as needed for canning. This kitchen utensil is an absolute must-have if you plan on doing any form of home canning to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Other Canning Supplies for Easy Process
In addition to basic supplies, other tools can help make the canning process easier. For example, a magnetic lid wand helps lift metal lids out of boiling water quickly and safely. Another helpful tool is a bubble popper, it will help identify air bubbles in the jars so you can eliminate them prior to sealing.
Finally, an adjustable headspace tool ensures that each jar has the correct amount of space between its contents and lid for proper sealing. All these additional items will add convenience and safety to the home canning experience!
