What did you do in the garden today?

[Sueby]

I think I remember the only pressure cooker safe to can with was the Nesco. I'm totally going to pull the trigger today.

I'm sick of hearing myself say I wish I had a pressure canner.

 

[Sally PB]

Mother nature is bipolar.....

If tripolar were a thing, she'd be that. SMH.

Well, I thought I was going to have to go with conventional feed, but Kalmbach makes a non-GMO Flockmaker that is 20% protein. It's not organic, but I'm ok with that. It's also $18/50 lbs, versus $30/40 lb for the Dumor Starter/Grower organic. I also like supporting the small business that carries it, instead of TSC.

Now, I really need it to warm up so that I can start working in the garden. I am struggling with the 50 lb bags. Gotta work my upper arm flab and get it into shape!

 

[Sueby]

That's a good price @Sally PB - at least for around here. I am with you, I buy Nutrena All Flock mostly because that's what my local farm store carries, I wish it had a bit more protein. But I'd rather support the local guys. I paid $19 something last time I was there. It's probably a little cheaper at TSC but I'd rather support local while I can afford it - tho that may change some day.

 

[Sueby]

Starting to stick to the bird netting. I hate March snow.

 

[Sally PB]

But I'd rather support the local guys. I paid $19 something last time I was there. It's probably a little cheaper at TSC but I'd rather support local while I can afford it - tho that may change some day.

I'm totally with you on that!

 

[SheaLoner]

This is where I say I wish I had a pressure canner because the broth is taking up so much room in the freezer.

Great investment if you can find one! Even used can be good. Most of the companies will test/recalibrate and so will most extension offices. My recommendation if you do get one is to find one you can stack in. Mine can only do 7 quarts, or 7 pints. Taller ones can fit 14 pints stacked.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

If tripolar were a thing, she'd be that. SMH.

Well, I thought I was going to have to go with conventional feed, but Kalmbach makes a non-GMO Flockmaker that is 20% protein. It's not organic, but I'm ok with that. It's also $18/50 lbs, versus $30/40 lb for the Dumor Starter/Grower organic. I also like supporting the small business that carries it, instead of TSC.

Now, I really need it to warm up so that I can start working in the garden. I am struggling with the 50 lb bags. Gotta work my upper arm flab and get it into shape!

That's a better price than I see at the farms stores around here - $22/50# (or $20/40# - Nutrena) is typical in this area. My local family feed store beats the pants off it, of course, but its not organic, and its not non-GMO. To get non-GMO, I'd have to drive another 20 minutes to the other family farm store, for a different mill's feeds - and its $18/50# right now, but its also only 18% protein.

So, assuming the mill dates are recent - its a fine deal!

/edit and we can with Ball Jars and a stovetop pressure cooker. I wasn't aware there were dedicated canners that weren't simply pressure cookers with a different weight and packaging (we have several weights, I believe). But almost everything in our kitchen is multipurpose. I don't believe in unitaskers.

 

[Sueby]

@U_Stormcrow there are electric pressure cookers that don't regulate the pressure well enough to can with - from what I've read (& that seems to be the consensus). I don't think it's an issue with a stovetop canner/cooker that you adjust the pressure on.

 

[SheaLoner]

Would you mind sharing what canner you have? I have a glasstop stove & am scared to can on it. I also have an outdoor grill with a burner & could do it there - but an electric one sound so much easier! & more doable in the snow.

Pick up an electric hot plate. Less then $10 or they used to be.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Would you mind sharing what canner you have? I have a glasstop stove & am scared to can on it. I also have an outdoor grill with a burner & could do it there - but an electric one sound so much easier! & more doable in the snow.

I'm also curious about this because I have a glasstop stove too. We have a turkey deep fryer setup that runs on propane. I was going to try to put my pressure cooker on it and try to can that way. I figured it if it blows up, at least it's outside and isn't breaking my glasstop stove.