Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[ValerieJ]

Oh yes.

Does the electric canner go through the 10 minute steam/air vent period before it seals up and pressurizes?

Everything is the same process, but it is all automatic. I don't have to monitor pressure to make sure it's right. Once the jars are filled and put in, the only thing I have to do is put the regulator on after it has expressed the excess steam, and it beeps at me to tell me to do it. I really love how automatic it is. It shuts off when the canning is done and cools down on its own, then beeps when we can take the jars out..

With the big canner, to get the pressure reliably set and maintained, I have to go sit in the rabbit hole with it. The stove out there is propane. In the house we are all electric. Easier to adjust the heat on propane. But I would never leave propane unattended. It's a regular stove, not a camp stove, but I'm still pretty careful about it.

The kicker is, yesterday I could have used the water bath method, since I was just canning tomatoes. The electric canner does both. I opted for pressure because I'm so germ conscientious. The water bath would have worked fine, however. Today I turned it all into sauce, which is simmering now, so I have to pressure can it.

I do have some water bathed canned tomatoes in the cupboard, but I will be sure to cook them into a sauce or soup when I use them.

Not the experienced and confident canner you all are. I take any and all precautions I can.

 

[ValerieJ]

Sitting here had my mc muffin nothing on TV.
Thinking go clean the coop allot of nothing here today little cool.

I love days like that! Can't wait until I have one. Been busy busy for about 3 weeks now.

I did just cut up some cantaloupe and brought the rinds and seeds out to the chickens. I leave plenty of fruit on the rinds for them.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Did do tables let the dogs out boys, then Snow goes with me.
Did have to change to wool socks feet get cold otherwise.
Made a watermelon strawberry drink most have no sugar.

 

[ValerieJ]

Success with the electric canner today! Yay! We're not sure what happens when it goes wrong, but that was the second time.

First batch will be finished cooling in about 5 min and then we'll get the second batch in. We'll get it done this evening. Had a late start after services today, so it is what it is.

Funny part of the whole thing is, I got so enthusiastic about making the sauce that I forgot to leave tomatoes out for our BLT's tonight. lol We were scrounging around in the unripe ones for one or two "ripe enough". That was disappointing. The tomato is the best part of the sandwich in my opinion. Again it is what it is.

Canner just beeped. Time to get the next batch in. We'll be all done by 7pm. Not too bad since we didn't start until noon.

 

[ValerieJ]

Sad news. We lost Girlie Girl today, my oldest Buff Orpington. She was born April of 2018, so about 7 1/2 years old. Old age is the cause I suppose. Still sad. I have 3 Australorps, Wordie, Birdie and Gertie, who are a year older than her. I keep watching them and wasn't even thinking about losing her. One down, but 3 new ones this year, so the flock goes on.

 

[PopoMyers]

Well, we have 56°, had a deluge of hail and rain this afternoon. I'm afraid to check my dahlias. Thunder continues to rumble every now and then. The new girls have now been unsequestered, and have become a flock of 6. They were a bit timid when I let them out last evening, but were roaming the run with the rest of the girls, as their own little flock. They aren't laying yet, at 21-22 weeks, and 15 weeks. The EEs are being obnoxious to them, but to be expected. It might be Thanksgiving before they lay, as they are Mystic Marans, Zombies, and OE ( 2 each) How is everyone? I broke my right foot almost 6 weeks ago. Waiting for the all clear from the doctor on Wednesday. Just started driving again this past week.

 

[ValerieJ]

Well, we have 56°, had a deluge of hail and rain this afternoon. I'm afraid to check my dahlias. Thunder continues to rumble every now and then. The new girls have now been unsequestered, and have become a flock of 6. They were a bit timid when I let them out last evening, but were roaming the run with the rest of the girls, as their own little flock. They aren't laying yet, at 21-22 weeks, and 15 weeks. The EEs are being obnoxious to them, but to be expected. It might be Thanksgiving before they lay, as they are Mystic Marans, Zombies, and OE ( 2 each) How is everyone? I broke my right foot almost 6 weeks ago. Waiting for the all clear from the doctor on Wednesday. Just started driving again this past week.

Oh gosh...sorry about the broken foot!!!! That puts a damper in your activities!!! Glad you're driving again. You'll be good as new very soon I hope!!!