What are you canning now?

[MarcoPollo]

did you use the same kind of cucumbers?

Yes, a mixture of "straight 8" and "pickler's choice" cucumbers.
I just made some more and probably overcooked them too waiting for the water to boil again

Would it be possible to can using a propane burner? I do not have a gas stove and the glass top stove I have is unreliable for controlling the temp for a large canning pot. The water boils but once jars are added it can't maintain a boil.
I guess I could time the jars anyway and if they don't seal oh well. At least they won't be overcooked.

 

[wyoDreamer]

A lot of people use an outside propane burners for canning, especially during the summer. I am going to be using one this summer myself. They are great because the heat stays outside, they are easy to control heat wise, and they have enough power to heat that huge pot of water. I have a screen porch that I can work in, so no bugs either.

Make sure your pickling juice is hot and the empty jars are sitting in the boiling water before putting in the cucumber slices. Keep everything as hot as possible. Pull out a jar, fill it, put it back in the pot. Work as quickly as possible.

 

[jerryse]

A lot of people use an outside propane burners for canning, especially during the summer. I am going to be using one this summer myself. They are great because the heat stays outside, they are easy to control heat wise, and they have enough power to heat that huge pot of water. I have a screen porch that I can work in, so no bugs either.

Make sure your pickling juice is hot and the empty jars are sitting in the boiling water before putting in the cucumber slices. Keep everything as hot as possible. Pull out a jar, fill it, put it back in the pot. Work as quickly as possible.

I use the turkey fryer burner to can . You can also try using pickle crisp .

 

[N F C]

I use the turkey fryer burner to can . You can also try using pickle crisp .

I understand what pickle crisp is used for, but what is it? Anyone have a label handy?

 

[jerryse]

I understand what pickle crisp is used for, but what is it? Anyone have a label handy?

Calcium chloride

 

[1FlewOver]

I use the turkey fryer burner to can . You can also try using pickle crisp .

What a great tip!!! I don't know why I didn't think of that! It solves two of my problems....not being able to heat the water fast enough...and not having enough room to can a bunch of jars at once!

Thank you....Thank you....Thank you!!!!

This site is the best! !!

 

[N F C]

Calcium chloride

Thanks! Interesting stuff, I did a bing search on it. One thing it's used for is firming soy bean curds into tofu. You just never know what you're going to learn on BYC!

 

[Beekissed]

Yes, a mixture of "straight 8" and "pickler's choice" cucumbers.
I just made some more and probably overcooked them too waiting for the water to boil again

Would it be possible to can using a propane burner? I do not have a gas stove and the glass top stove I have is unreliable for controlling the temp for a large canning pot. The water boils but once jars are added it can't maintain a boil.
I guess I could time the jars anyway and if they don't seal oh well. At least they won't be overcooked.

We are loving our steam canner and never use the big boiling water bath canner pot any longer. Been using the steam canner for the past several years now for items that one cans in a boiling water method. The water heats quickly, no way the jars can break in it due to temp differences when putting in new jars, and less heating of the house overall, less labor involved, less stress and weight on the stove, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-4...8&qid=1436107494&sr=8-1&keywords=steam+canner

 

[rancher hicks]

Yes, a mixture of "straight 8" and "pickler's choice" cucumbers.
I just made some more and probably overcooked them too waiting for the water to boil again

Would it be possible to can using a propane burner? I do not have a gas stove and the glass top stove I have is unreliable for controlling the temp for a large canning pot. The water boils but once jars are added it can't maintain a boil.
I guess I could time the jars anyway and if they don't seal oh well. At least they won't be overcooked.

Of course you can use a Propane stove. Some folks it's all they have to heat with or cook. I was wondering if you are doing a "cold pack" or "hot pack" in doing pickles. Two I was wondering if you even have to can pickles. At school we have them in five gallon buckets and I'm pretty sure they're not refrigerated. I don't do pickles since I don't like them. Can you pressure cook pickles?

Outside would be nice if you have a shelter. Stuff would fall from the trees and get in my jelly.

We are loving our steam canner and never use the big boiling water bath canner pot any longer. Been using the steam canner for the past several years now for items that one cans in a boiling water method. The water heats quickly, no way the jars can break in it due to temp differences when putting in new jars, and less heating of the house overall, less labor involved, less stress and weight on the stove, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-4...8&qid=1436107494&sr=8-1&keywords=steam+canner

I saw this at Runnings, but haven't read about it in any of the magazines I read. I bet it uses much less water? How do you control the temp?

 

[MarcoPollo]

I was wondering if you are doing a "cold pack" or "hot pack" in doing pickles. Two I was wondering if you even have to can pickles.

I use freshly chopped up cucumbers that go right into the jar and then fill with hot brine before canning, so I guess that would be "cold pack"? That probably cools down the water too much.
I just realized that my mom made pickles before and definitely didn't can them cause she doesn't have the equipment or space for canning. But she keeps them in the refrigerator. I give my jars away to people, so am a bit nervous about poisoning if they are opened months later after sitting on a shelf. But I see non-refrigerated pickles at movie theaters and convenience stores all the time. I'm going to have to see if I can find a pickle recipe that does not require canning.

Thank you so much rancher hicks and everyone else for the ideas and advice!

I know absolutely nothing about steam canning so will have to read up on that.