Preserving Your Harvest

[NanaK]

Here is a video showing the Victorio strainer in action. I'll bet it can be used for other purposes as well such as making applesauce.
I've considered ordering this one as well.

@Sally PB I think Kitchen Aid makes a similar attachment for their stand mixer.

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

I didn't see that brand when I was researching, but thanks. I ended up ordering one of these...

View attachment 4207630

If you have a KitchenAid there is an attachment for it that I use. It pretty efficient. I keep my older food mill since it's always a good idea to have non electric options.

 

[Smokerbill]

If you have a KitchenAid there is an attachment for it that I use. It pretty efficient. I keep my older food mill since it's always a good idea to have non electric options.

I do have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer that's about 40 years old, and I have the plastic grinder attachment. I saw the strainer attachments on Amazon for a little over 20 bucks.

But I kind of enjoy using non-electric tools. When I need to cut lumber I almost always use my handsaw unless the cuts are long, or there's a lot to cut.

 

[Smokerbill]

Success! I used my antique pressure canner for the first time and it worked great. I got it for $10 at Goodwill a few years ago, bought a new seal/overpressure valve for it and added a jiggler to convert it into a weighted gauge canner.

Setting the weight to 10#, the pressure gauge was reading right at 11# the entire time, so I guess the dial gauge is still calibrated correctly.

What's strange is the instructions I followed said that it takes about a pound of beans to fill a pint jar, which makes sense. But I ended up filling 9 pint jars, plus another pint that I put in the freezer with a little over 5 pounds of beans. I used the hot pack method and filled the jars loosely as instructed.
https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can/canni.../beans-snap-and-italian-pieces-green-and-wax/

Edited to add:
I found different instructions that say that for canning 4 to 5 pints of green beans you need 2-1/2 to 3 pounds of fresh beans, and that's more in line with how it worked out for me.
https://sevier.tennessee.edu/wp-con.../08/Food-Preservation-green-bean-hot-pack.pdf

I freaked out a little when I first opened the canner after it cooled and saw all the jars bubbling/boiling inside. I immediately put the lid back on and found info that said that bubbling was good, that it's a sign that the jars are sealed.
https://ucanr.edu/program/uc-master...do-my-pressure-canned-jars-continue-boil-they

Using the turkey fryer burner on the back porch worked great too. No steam in the house. Next time will be much easier.

 

[Iluveggers]

Success! I used my antique pressure canner for the first time and it worked great. I got it for $10 at Goodwill a few years ago, bought a new seal/overpressure valve for it and added a jiggler to convert it into a weighted gauge canner.

Setting the weight to 10#, the pressure gauge was reading right at 11# the entire time, so I guess the dial gauge is still calibrated correctly.

What's strange is the instructions I followed said that it takes about a pound of beans to fill a pint jar, which makes sense. But I ended up filling 9 pint jars, plus another pint that I put in the freezer with a little over 5 pounds of beans. I used the hot pack method and filled the jars loosely as instructed.
https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can/canni.../beans-snap-and-italian-pieces-green-and-wax/

Edited to add:
I found different instructions that say that for canning 4 to 5 pints of green beans you need 2-1/2 to 3 pounds of fresh beans, and that's more in line with how it worked out for me.
https://sevier.tennessee.edu/wp-con.../08/Food-Preservation-green-bean-hot-pack.pdf

I freaked out a little when I first opened the canner after it cooled and saw all the jars bubbling/boiling inside. I immediately put the lid back on and found info that said that bubbling was good, that it's a sign that the jars are sealed.
https://ucanr.edu/program/uc-master...do-my-pressure-canned-jars-continue-boil-they

Using the turkey fryer burner on the back porch worked great too. No steam in the house. Next time will be much easier.

View attachment 4208058View attachment 4208059View attachment 4208060View attachment 4208061

I am hoping to do beans on Monday. Theres a bunch *almost* big enough to pick...so I pulled the ready ones and will store in the fridge, then do another picking early Monday morning and can whatever I have. Beans were late here in NY this year.

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

Success! I used my antique pressure canner for the first time and it worked great. I got it for $10 at Goodwill a few years ago, bought a new seal/overpressure valve for it and added a jiggler to convert it into a weighted gauge canner.

Setting the weight to 10#, the pressure gauge was reading right at 11# the entire time, so I guess the dial gauge is still calibrated correctly.

What's strange is the instructions I followed said that it takes about a pound of beans to fill a pint jar, which makes sense. But I ended up filling 9 pint jars, plus another pint that I put in the freezer with a little over 5 pounds of beans. I used the hot pack method and filled the jars loosely as instructed.
https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can/canni.../beans-snap-and-italian-pieces-green-and-wax/

Edited to add:
I found different instructions that say that for canning 4 to 5 pints of green beans you need 2-1/2 to 3 pounds of fresh beans, and that's more in line with how it worked out for me.
https://sevier.tennessee.edu/wp-con.../08/Food-Preservation-green-bean-hot-pack.pdf

I freaked out a little when I first opened the canner after it cooled and saw all the jars bubbling/boiling inside. I immediately put the lid back on and found info that said that bubbling was good, that it's a sign that the jars are sealed.
https://ucanr.edu/program/uc-master...do-my-pressure-canned-jars-continue-boil-they

Using the turkey fryer burner on the back porch worked great too. No steam in the house. Next time will be much easier.

View attachment 4208058View attachment 4208059View attachment 4208060View attachment 4208061

They look great! What an awesome find!

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

Canned some apple pie filling - 1 quart is in the freezer it siphoned to much and the lid was up. I'm going to make fried hand pies with that one soon.

 

[Smokerbill]

Canned some apple pie filling - 1 quart is in the freezer it siphoned to much and the lid was up. I'm going to make fried hand pies with that one soon. View attachment 4208220

That looks tasty!

 

[Smokerbill]

They look great! What an awesome find!

I agree! Including the new parts I bought for it the total cost was around $30. I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for next, maybe carrots. I got a great deal on wide mouth half pint jars that I need to start using for something, and half pints of carrots would be about the right size for me.

Tomatoes are starting to ripen so it's close to salsa making time. I'm shooting for making around 40 pints this season. And some will be super hot since I have habanero peppers in the garden this year.

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

I agree! Including the new parts I bought for it the total cost was around $30. I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for next, maybe carrots. I got a great deal on wide mouth half pint jars that I need to start using for something, and half pints of carrots would be about the right size for me.

Tomatoes are starting to ripen so it's close to salsa making time. I'm shooting for making around 40 pints this season. And some will be super hot since I have habanero peppers in the garden this year.

I use my pressure canner all year. That is a great deal you got. I like wide mouth jars for canning chicken. The turkey fryer burner is idea is great! I'm getting close for salsa, but our peppers need to step up first. I freeze my tomatoes for salsa and sauce, so I have time.