As we delve into National Canned Food Month, there’s no better time to explore the empowering world of canning your own food. Canning not only allows you to take control of your pantry’s contents but also ensures a supply of fresh and nutritious options in times of need. Let’s embark on a journey to discover the essentials of home canning, along with five Amazon products under each category to help you get started.
1. Canning Basics
Lay the foundation for successful home canning with these essential tools and kits. From jars and lids to canners and racks, this category covers everything you need to get started on your canning journey, ensuring your pantry is stocked with homemade goodness.
- Canning Kit – Ball Complete Canning Kit This comprehensive kit includes all the essential tools for both water bath and pressure canning. From jars and lids to a jar lifter and a canning rack, this set equips you for successful home canning adventures.
- Ball Mason Jars with Lids and Bands (Pack of 12) The cornerstone of home canning, these mason jars are designed for preserving fruits, vegetables, jams, and more. The included lids and bands ensure a secure seal for your homemade creations.
- Granite Ware Enamel-on-Steel Canning Kit This water bath canner with a jar rack is perfect for beginners. The durable enamel-on-steel construction ensures even heat distribution, making it ideal for preserving high-acid foods.
- Norpro Canning Essentials Boxed Set (6-Piece) A versatile set containing a wide-mouth funnel, jar lifter, magnetic lid lifter, bubble popper/measurer, and jar wrench, this kit streamlines the canning process and makes it accessible for all skill levels.
- Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker For those ready to venture into pressure canning, this large-capacity cooker doubles as a canner. It’s suitable for preserving low-acid foods and provides an efficient way to bulk-can meats, soups, and more.
2. Fruitful Fruits
Explore the vibrant world of fruit preservation with tools and accessories designed to streamline the canning process. From pitters to electric canners, this category offers solutions to make preserving your favorite fruits a breeze, ensuring their fresh flavors are locked in for enjoyment year-round.
- Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving A comprehensive guide to home canning, this book offers recipes, techniques, and tips for preserving fruits, jams, jellies, and more. It’s an essential resource for both beginners and experienced canners.
- Norpro 5119 Cherry Olive Pitter Simplify the canning process with this handy tool. Removing pits from cherries or olives becomes a breeze, saving you time and effort during your fruit-preserving endeavors.
- Ball FreshTech Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker This electric canner and cooker is perfect for water bath canning fruits and high-acid foods. Its versatility allows you to use it for various cooking purposes, making it a valuable addition to your kitchen.
- RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Canning Funnel This wide-mouth funnel makes filling jars with fruits, sauces, and jams a mess-free experience. Its stainless steel construction ensures durability and easy cleaning.
- OXO Good Grips Cherry and Olive Pitter A handheld pitter with a splatter shield, this OXO tool efficiently removes pits from cherries and olives, keeping your kitchen clean and your canning process smooth
3: Veggie Ventures
Dive into vegetable canning with confidence using these specialized tools and equipment. From pressure cookers to mandoline slicers, this category provides the essentials for preserving your garden’s bounty, allowing you to enjoy your homegrown vegetables long after the harvest season ends.
- Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving A classic guide from the trusted Ball brand, this book covers the essentials of canning vegetables, pickles, and relishes. It’s a valuable resource for expanding your canning repertoire.
- T-fal Pressure Cooker and Canner (22-Quart) This dual-function appliance serves as both a pressure cooker and a canner, making it suitable for preserving vegetables and low-acid foods. The large capacity is perfect for batch canning.
- Norpro Canning Rack Elevate your jars during the canning process with this stainless steel rack. It allows water to circulate freely around jars, ensuring even heat distribution for uniform preservation.
- OXO Good Grips Chef’s Mandoline Slicer 2.0 Slice vegetables with precision using this adjustable mandoline slicer. Achieve uniform thickness for pickles, relishes, and other canned delights with ease.
- Granite Ware Canning Set, 8-Piece This set includes a canner, lid, jar rack, and more. It’s perfect for both water bath and pressure canning, offering a versatile solution for preserving your homegrown vegetables.
4. Savory Staples
Stock your pantry with savory staples by exploring this selection of pressure canners and accessories. From aluminum cookers to reusable lids, this category equips you to safely and efficiently preserve meats, beans, and stews, ensuring a hearty supply of nutritious meals for any occasion.
- Presto 1755 16-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker/Canner Ideal for pressure canning meats, beans, and stews, this aluminum cooker/canner features an easy-to-read gauge and a large capacity. It’s a reliable choice for preserving low-acid staples.
- Tattler Reusable Wide Mouth Canning Lids (12-Pack) Say goodbye to disposable lids with these reusable alternatives. Made of BPA-free plastic and rubber, these lids are a sustainable choice for long-term storage.
- Ball Fresh Herb Keeper (2-Pack) Preserve the flavor of your homegrown herbs by storing them in these herb keepers. The air-tight lids help maintain freshness, ensuring you have flavorful additions to your meals.
- McSunley 5 Piece, Prep-N-Cook Canning Tool Set This kit includes Includes Jar Wrench, Bubble Remover, Magnetic Lid Lifter, Jar Lifter, Wide Mouth Funnel, streamlining the canning process for your savory staples. It’s a must-have for any serious home canner.
- All American 21.5-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner A heavy-duty option for pressure canning, this cooker/canner features a metal-to-metal sealing system and an exclusive “metal-to-metal” venting steam system, ensuring a secure and efficient canning process.
5. Essential Extras
Elevate your canning experience with these must-have extras and accessories. From vacuum sealers to dissolvable labels, this category offers innovative solutions to enhance the longevity and organization of your canned goods, ensuring they remain fresh and identifiable for months to come.
- FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine Extend the shelf life of your canned goods with this vacuum sealer machine. By removing air from the packaging, it helps prevent spoilage and preserves freshness, making it an essential tool for long-term food storage.
- Ball Dissolvable Canning Labels (60-Pack) Description: Keep your canned goods organized with these dissolvable labels. They adhere securely to jars during storage but dissolve easily in water when it’s time to reuse the jars, eliminating the hassle of sticky residue.
- Canning and Preserving for Beginners: The Essential Canning Recipes and Canning Supplies Guide Perfect for novice canners, this book offers simple yet delicious recipes and comprehensive guidance on essential canning supplies. From jams and pickles to sauces and salsas, it covers everything you need to kick-start your canning journey.
- KitchenAid Fruit & Vegetable Strainer Set with Food Grinder Attachment Streamline the process of preparing fruits and vegetables for canning with this attachment set. It easily attaches to your KitchenAid stand mixer, allowing you to strain and grind produce directly into your canning jars.
- Ball Secure-Grip Jar Lifter Ensure safe and easy handling of hot jars with this secure-grip jar lifter. Its ergonomic design and coated handles provide a comfortable grip, making it an indispensable tool for every home canner.
As National Canned Food Month unfolds, take the opportunity to embrace the art of canning your own food. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced prepper, the satisfaction of cultivating, preserving, and enjoying your homegrown provisions is unparalleled. Equip yourself with the right tools, explore new recipes, and empower your pantry with the resilience of home-canned goods. Happy canning, and may your pantry be filled with the fruits of your labor!