Preparing For Canning

Preparing For Canning

After determining the type and quantity of food to be canned, select your recipes, gather the ingredients, assemble jars, closures and canning equipment. Prepare your recipe and start filling jars!

Filling Jars

Food may be placed into hot jars after it is cooked or while it is still raw. The hot pack method is usually preferred for all veggies, meat, poultry, seafoods and most fruits. The raw pack method means placing the food in jars without any precooking and sometimes it is a better method. Fill a single jar at a time, positioning the two-piece cap immediately after it is filled. Place the jar on the canner rack. It’s best not to use an assembly line fashion while filling the jars.

Hot Pack

The hot pack method is generally preferred where the food being canned is relatively firm and handles well. precooking the food makes it more pliable, permits a tighter pack and requires fewer jars. Generally, the food is first cooked in water, syrup or juice. Fruit canned without sweetening is always hot packed.

Raw Pack

Foods that would be delicate after they are cooked, such as whole peaches, are usually easier to handle if they are raw packed. the food is placed into the jars while it is raw. it should be packed firmly but not crushed. After packing, boiling syrup, juice or water is added to foods requiring additional liquid. There may be some shrinkage when the food is processed, causing some foods to float to the top of the jar.

Headspace

Some foods, especially starchy foods, swell more than others and require additional headspace. If too little headspace is allowed, as the food boils inside the jar it may be forced under the lid, leaving a residue on the sealing surface and possibly prevent the lid from sealing.

Too much headspace–The jar may not seal properly because the processing time is not long enough to drive all the air out of the jar. And, the food at the top of the jar may be discolored. As a general rule, leave a 1 inch headspace for low-acid foods, veggies and meats; 1/2 inch headspace for acid foods, fruits and tomatoes; 1/4th inch headspace for juices, jams, jellies, pickles and relishes.

Removing Air Bubbles

After the food has been packed into the jars, any air bubbles that are present must be removed. this can be done by running a nonmetallic spatula around the jar between the food and the side of the jar. Do not use metal knives or other metal utensils.

Cleaning Jar Rims

The tops of the jars must be wiped with a clean, damp cloth. Particles of food on the rim may prevent sealing.

Adjusting Two-Piece Caps

After each jar is filled and the jar rim is cleaned, place a lid on the jar rim with the sealing compound next to the glass. Center the lid so that only the sealing compound is touching the glass. Place a band over the lid and screw it onto the jar just until a point of resistance is met. Do not use force. Using a jar lifter, place jars in canner.

Boiling Water Processing

These easy to follow step for this method will yield successful results when completed as directed.

1. Fill boiling-water canner half full with water. Heat water to a simmer (180 F).
2. Position canner rack above hot water in the canner.
3. Using a jar lifter, place filled jars onto rack immediately after each jar is filled.
4. After all filled jars are placed on the rack, carefully lower it into the water. The water level must cover the jars and two-piece caps by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if needed.
5. Put the canner lid in place.
6. Adjust heat to medium-high, bringing the water to a hard-rolling boil. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle-rolling boil throughout the processing period.
7. Set timer for the number of minutes required for processing the product.
8. After the processing period is complete, turn off the heat and remove the canner lid.
9. Using a jar lifter, remove the jars from the canner and set them on a towel to cool. Leave 1 to 2 inches of space between jars.
10. Allow jars to cool naturally 12 to 24 hours before checking for a seal. Do not retighten bands.

Steam-Pressure Processing

These easy-to-follow steps for steam pressure processing will yield successful results when completed as directed.

1. Put canner rack in bottom of canner. Add 2 to 3 inches of water. Heat water to a simmer (180oF).
2. Using a jar lifter, place filled jars onto canner rack immediately after each jar is filled.
3. Lock canner lid securely in place. Leave weight off vent pipe or open petcock. Adjust heat to medium-high setting until steam flows evenly from the vent pipe. Exhaust steam for 10 minutes.
4. Place weight on vent pipe or close petcock. The canner will pressurize in about 5 minutes.
5. Set timer for the number of minutes required for processing the product after the gauge indicates the recommended pounds of pressure have been reached. Adjust the heat to maintain the correct pressure or slightly above the correct pressure.
6. When the processing time is complete, turn off the heat and allow the canner to cool naturally. Do not remove the weighted gauge or open the petcock until the canner has depressurized and returned to zero pressure.
7. After the canner had depressurized, remove the weight or open the petcock. Wait 2 minutes. remove the lid, lifting the lid towards you so the steam moves away from you.
8. Let the jars sit in the canner 5 to 10 minutes to adjust to the lower temperature.
9. Using a jar lifter, remove the jars from the canner and set them on a towel to cool. Leave 1 to 2 inches of space between jars.
10. Allow jars to cool naturally 12 to 24 hours before checking for a seal. Do not retighten bands.

After the jars have cooled for 12 to 24 hours, test the lids to determine if a vacuum seal has formed. The best method for testing a seal is to press the center of the lid to determine if it is concave; then remove the band and try to lift off with your fingertips. If the center does not flex up and down and you cannot lift the lid off, the lid has a good vacuum seal.

If the lid does not seal within 24 hours, the product must be reprocessed or stored in the refrigerator and used within a few days. To reprocess a product, remove the lid and check the sealing surface of the jar. If there is any damage to the glass, the jar must be replaced. Reheat the product, if a hot pack is required. Pack food into clean, hot jars. Place a new, heated lid on the jar and adjust band. Reprocess the product using the canning method and processing time recommended by the recipe