Propane generator

 Can you recommend a propane generator and set up with a 500 to 1000 gallon tank? After the research with other fuels, this type of fuel seems less complicated than gas or diesel, but would like your input on it.

 F.Johnston

Hot Springs, Arkansas

 We will be buying a propane generator when our gas generator goes dead. (So far, we’ve had it running pretty frequently, for over three years with only minor work.) It’s a 5500-watt generator with a Honda engine. Propane is cheaper than gas and you can connect it to your large household tank. Less fuel to buy. Many newer gasoline generators can be converted (with an installed kit) to propane. Some can’t, so have a serviceman advise you. As for a dependable brand, Generac makes a moderate priced LP generator, but there are several out there. Talk to a serviceman in your area and get his input. He sees and repairs many brands and he can probably advise you at no cost. — Jackie

 Canning chicken

 I’ve been canning for a couple of years but recently started to can meats. My question is my jars of chicken have developed a layer of what I think is fat and the top inch or so of meat has turned a greyish yellow color (the meat below this still looks good) is this safe? Or should I pitch the whole lot? The chicken is the only meat that has done this; what am I doing wrong?

 Fisher William

Grinnell, Iowa

 The layer is probably fat; mine do that too. Is there broth on the meat, or is it dry where the different colored meat is? If it is dry, the color change is probably due to that. Without seeing it, I can’t be sure. If the jars were properly canned and the jars are sealed, and the meat smells fine on opening it, it should be safe to eat. — Jackie

 Tomatoes and powdery mildew

 My tomatoes all fell over even though I had them staked up so I picked all of the tomatoes, brought them all inside and was waiting for them to ripen. They are all turning brown. What is wrong with them? I was planning on dehydrating them. My cucumbers and summer squash are all blossomed but the leaves are all covered with a white powder can they be saved?

 Susan Carmichael

Houlton, Maine

 Sometimes tomato vines get really heavy and despite staking, will blow over in the wind. Some of mine did that this year, despite heavy stakes 5-feet tall and strong cages. We really have awesome vines! Instead of picking them, you probably should have re-staked the plant or even let it lay on the ground if re-staking was not an option. Did you store your picked tomatoes in the sun? That can cause them to brown and rot. That old wives’ tale about setting them on a sunny windowsill to ripen doesn’t work.

 It sounds like your vines have powdery mildew. This is a fairly common garden fungus. It can often be treated by using a sulfur-based fungicide, mixed with water and sprayed on once a week until the condition improves. You can also try using a baking soda treatment: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 quart water, and a few drops of liquid soap. Spray on your plants weekly. — Jackie

 Bad timer

 I think I already know the answer to my question but I just wanted to make sure. When canning green beans yesterday, I used the timer on our microwave. Because we have been having trouble with the microwave shutting off at any given time, I thought I better have a “backup” timer just in case. So, I used our old-fashioned wind-up one. Well, the old timer (ha ha) went off before the microwave did by a few minutes. This got me really concerned as I just canned corn, in quarts, on Friday using the wind-up timer. I live in Colorado at 4600 feet, so I canned the corn at 13 lbs for 85 min. I did a test today on both the old wind timer and the timer on our stove and after the 85 minutes it was off by 11 min. My corn only processed then for 74 minutes. My question is; since the corn has only been in the pantry for four days, is it safe to put in the freezer or do I have to get rid of it? Thanks for all your advice. …Even though I have never met you, I still consider you as a friend. Congratulations on your marriage.

 Kelli Nothem

Gilcrest, Colorado

 Sorry, but to be safe, you’d better dump the corn in an animal-safe location (bury it, etc.). I, too, consider all my readers/bloggers family and friends! That is what makes this job great! Thank you for your congratulations. — Jackie