What are you canning now?

[hennible]

Cool

 

[rancher hicks]

You can find them at TSC, kmart, target

That looks cool, but is it really necessary or just another tool and expense. Like the magnet on a stick. I just use tongs. What about the rings?

Perhaps I should use one of those steamer baskets to protect the bottom of the pan?

 

[hennible]

Ok that is a good point and a good idea. Although i don't mind that water rings.
Think I'll stick to just the pot...
But I finally got a funnel and it's a big help! Saves me time and mess.

 

[Raech]

I have the magnet stick, and I love it, it came with the canning start up kit from Walmart that in also included a funnel and the head space/anti-bubble stick. I have no clue what it actually is, but I like it, and my kids steal the magnet stick every chance they get, along with the jar grabbers, only they use them to pick up hot wheels and blocks.

The lid holder looks really handy, but I don't think I will end up buying it, cool as it is.

 

[rancher hicks]

A couple of things too mention.

One book said to pour the jelly down the side of the funnel to help with air and bubbles.

The other is Walmart is NOT the cheapest when it comes to canning jars and supplies. Now if they're all you've got by all means go there but there are other stores that are cheaper. Even our Wegmans has cheaper jars than Walmart and that's where I buy them.

Ace hardware has a sale every now and then. I suggest signing up for as many email offers from different stores as you have access to.

My Concord grape jelly came out very nice without pectin added. I did buy a Candy thermometer at Walmart I confess. It had markings on it specifically to the 220* making it easy to be sure I'd reached the setting point. I just went to Walmart cuz it was across the road from Aldis and that's where I went for the sugar. I didn't want to drive all over.

I have an Aldis, Walmart, TSC, HD, and CM all right on the same road. Very convenient. Normally I go to Wegmans for supplies.

 

[hennible]

I drove an hour and a half for canning jars as the village I live in ( well 14km from )was out! Lol
They where a good price, if you don't factor in gas. 2 1/2 hours to the nearest Walmart. Not convenient at all...

 

[rancher hicks]

I drove an hour and a half for canning jars as the village I live in ( well 14km from )was out! Lol
They where a good price, if you don't factor in gas. 2 1/2 hours to the nearest Walmart. Not convenient at all...

We had some friends stop to visit DW and they knew I made jams and jellies. They stopped back with boxes of jars.

Perhaps you should check CL or flea markets or junk shops, tell friends and family to pick them up for you if they see them cheap. These days with cell phones they can call to see if it's a good deal.

I figure I can always NOT use them if I have them but I can't USE them if I don't. Though I do have plenty of fruit to use up. I just need a bigger kitchen with more counter space.

 

[rancher hicks]

GREEN TOMATO APPLE CHUTNEY

7 cups - chopped green or partially ripe tomatoes

4 cups - chopped peeled apples that soften

11/2 cups - chopped onions

11/2 cups - packed brown sugar

1 cup - granulated sugar

1 cup - cider vinegar

1 large clove garlic minced

2 tbsp - mustard seeds

2 tbsp - finely grated gingerroot

1 tsp - salt

1/2 tsp - hot pepper flakes or cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp - ground cloves

1 cup - sultana raisins

 

[Raech]

We had some friends stop to visit DW and they knew I made jams and jellies. They stopped back with boxes of jars.

Perhaps you should check CL or flea markets or junk shops, tell friends and family to pick them up for you if they see them cheap. These days with cell phones they can call to see if it's a good deal.

I figure I can always NOT use them if I have them but I can't USE them if I don't. Though I do have plenty of fruit to use up. I just need a bigger kitchen with more counter space.

Rancher that is always a problem in every kitchen I imagine. I find myself saying repeatedly during any sort of process in my tiny kitchen "if I only had an island or just one more foot on this counter, or wouldn't it be nice if there was a cutting board by the stove instead of the sink." When I win the lottery(

) I will design a kitchen that is fit to feed a thousand people and then maybe I will have enough room for everything in my kitchen, including a large fireplace for s'mores and weiner roasting.

 

[hennible]

Thanks for the recipe rancher. No flea markets here, but I will get others to pick me up jars when they go out of town that's a good idea because I need more jars again! I don't mind the drive though with two little boys a long drive is a sacred opportunity to sit.