| I've been home canning for several years, and I am | | | | You'llbe glad for the investment! |
| still always on the lookout for tools and techniquesto | | | | 3. Food Mill: A few years ago I purchased a food mill |
| make my canning season easier and less tedious. As I | | | | through Lehman's (please follow link atthe end of this |
| look back over all the seeds, pits, peels,cores, toil, | | | | article to find out where you can obtain your own |
| sweat, chopping, cutting and mashing of canning | | | | food mill). It was one of the bestinvestments I ever |
| season, I "relish" (canning product term!)the various | | | | made. The food mill eliminates many steps, such as |
| pieces of canning equipment I have added to my | | | | peeling, and is wonderful formaking all types of |
| repertoire that have truly helped ease mystockpot | | | | sauces, syrups, juices and purees. Most food mills |
| burdens. Perhaps you already have these pieces of | | | | come with various screens thatwill aid in anything |
| equipment in your kitchen and have not yetemployed | | | | from removing small seeds to making chunky salsa. |
| them in your canning regime. Or, perhaps after | | | | 4. Food Processor: My food processor saves me tons |
| reading this article, you too, will invest insome of | | | | of time in the chopping and slicingdepartment. From |
| these tools to further aid you in your canning season. | | | | salsa to pesto, I'd be hard pressed to be without my |
| I have found these tools irreplaceableand, although in | | | | food processor. |
| a pinch I could can without them (in some cases), I | | | | 5. Double Burner Outdoor Cooker: On hot summer |
| would prefer to always have themin my kitchen of | | | | days, I take much of my canning outdoors |
| canning splendor. | | | | andcomplete my canning on my outdoor cooker. |
| 1. Steam Canner: There is some debate out there in | | | | Trust me, during canning season, almost every burner |
| canning land whether or not a steam | | | | on thestove is being used, so an extra burner or two |
| canneradequately heats the contents of jars in order | | | | does not hurt! Plus, the house stays cooler, you get |
| to kill bacteria. I have used a steam canner with | | | | atan, and the canning gets done. Talk about your |
| greatsuccess for the past 6 years. I especially like | | | | multi-tasking! |
| using the steam canner for fruits, pickles, and jams. | | | | In addition to the above equipment, it is a good thing |
| A steam canner uses much less water, therefore less | | | | to have large stainless steel bowls, a set ofgood |
| fuel, and is easy to handle. I have even steamcanned | | | | knives, a sturdy cutting board or two, and a lot of |
| tomatoes with good results. As usual, I believe if you | | | | patience! Canning is a lot of work, but inthe end, the |
| follow the guidelines which come withyour steam | | | | rewards are well worth the effort. I accumulated |
| canner, you should enjoy great results. | | | | much of the equipment listed above over a period of |
| 2. Pressure Canner: Years ago folks were scared | | | | time, and now that I have these tools, I would |
| away from using pressure canners because | | | | prefer never to look back. In fact, if I can find other |
| theyseemed "dangerous". Pressure canners on the | | | | equipment and tips to make my canning season |
| market today are very safe to use and a MUST if | | | | easier, I'll be sure to check into it...andpass it on to |
| you wantto can vegetables and meat. I recommend | | | | you! |
| obtaining the biggest pressure canner you can afford! | | | | |