can someone recommend canning equipment to infast

[sunflowerenvy]

i would love to get into canning but i have no idea what kind canning equipment to get? what do you folks used i always freeze my food before.
thank u

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I use a steam canner instead of a water bath, not to be confused with a pressure canner which also uses steam. Basicly it looks like an upside down pot. The short lid is on the bottom which you fill with a couple inches of water. There is a short rack which you set your jars on and the larger lid that covers the jars. You bring the little bit of water to boil cover with the lid and when steam starts coming out the hole on the side you start timing.

Esentials---Ball Blue Book of Canning. It's like the Bible of Canning!

Ball or Kerr canning jars of various sizes with rims and lids. Lids have to be replaced everytime, rim and jars are reuseable until they break or rust out.
Jar lifter, cap lifter, funnel--you can buy these as a set.

 

[sunflowerenvy]

Quote:
no locking pans like a pressure cooking
you set the top tall pan onto the small pan n it has the jars n water in it
thank u

 

[CoyoteMagic]

This is the one I've got but I don't think I paid this much for it.

http://www.mendingshed.com/bactobasstea.html

These can only be used for high acid foods. Low acid foods have to be done in a pressure canner like this

http://www.homesteadharvest.com/pressurecanners.html

My pressure canner is older than dirt. It's uses a weighted guage instead of the fancy guages that have to be tested from time to time.

Get the Ball Blue Book. It will teach you everything you need to know!!

 

[redhen]

I'm sorry.. What does "infast" mean? Is it a type of canner?
I'm looking to get into canning also... my local co-op has a class on it in the spring so i'll be taking it.

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

definitely get the Ball Blue Book! it is a great start to some wonderful recipes! i have modified a few of my own recipes from those listed in there.

i have a huge (lunch lady's) pot someone gave me last year that i use for doing the water bath for my jams and jellies. i haven't done veggie canning yet but i have 2 old pressure cookers that my grandmother used for her canning of smaller jars. i think i'm going to look into one of those steamers now that i've seen them!