Can you can milk?

[kinnip]

Goat milk is naturally homogenized, so freezing is the easiest way to preserve it. Unlike cows' milk, it won't separate. I think the recommended storage time is 6 mo., although some people freeze colostrum for a year. Of course, hungry baby goats aren't too worried about flavour.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Thanks, everyone. Yeah, it definitely sounds like freezing is the way to go. All 3 of my kids were premature so I am very experienced at freezing milk.

The main reason I want to find a way to preserve it, is because I know we would have too much. Of course we could give a lot away, too.

 

[MissPrissy]

The thing with milk is either you are drowning in it or you don't have any.

Freezing a few gallons will get you through the lean time but you would need a freezer just for jugs of milk to get you through the months of no milk at all unless you are able to stagger your breeding and have 2 or 3 does milking so at least 1 is milking at all times.

The overlap of 3 or more does milking at once is where you win with being able to use gallons and gallons for cheeses and yogurts and buttermilks and creams. It is work but I promise you the pay off is worth it if you have the time and energy to invest in learning and trying to make your own dairy products.

 

[kstaven]

We stagger the lactation in our dairy animals (cow and goat), so as suggested here you never run out. I agree that making your own dairy products is worth every bit of the effort. You haven't tasted ice cream until you do an old recipe that incorporates eggs.

 

[yotetrapper]

Let us know what you find. Although with goats i doubt youd need to can, youd have fresh milk daily lol.

 

[Parson's Wife]

Yes you can.
I freeze, sometimes. Always shake well once thawed.

CAN MILK
Milk is easy to can, but it's not exactly like fresh milk, more like evaporated milk as it gets a little bit thicker and caramel colored - just a little. You can either water bath process it - most people prefer this method because the milk is less thick and less caramel colored than pressure canning. To water bath can it simply pour the milk into clean sterilized jars to within 1/2 in from the top, put on your hot previously simmered lids and screw down the ring firmly. Then place in a warm, not boiling hot water bath canner; covering the jars by at least 2 in and bring to a boil. Process the jars for 60 min. To pressure can it process it at 10 pounds pressure for 10 min. Thats all there is to it....now u have milk for cooking, milkshakes, hot chocolate and drinking. - even if your cow

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Cool!!!! Thank you!!! I was kinda wondering if it might be a bit more like evaporated milk!!! That would be great for my coffee!!!!