Saving squash seeds

Seeds arrived this week. Thanks so much. I have been growing Hopi from Baker Creek. If these are different I will know. I only plant Hopi here at home and other cucubrits at our special needs farm 20 miles away, so I should be able to save some seeds for others next year.

Jim Bruce
Petersburg, Michigan

Good for you, Jim! Remember though that you can plant Cucubita mixta, pepo, moschata, and argyrosperma near your Hopi Pale Greys, which are C. maxima. The different species don’t cross. This fact sure helps us grow different types of squash each year and still save pure seed. — Jackie

Canning on a glass-top range

I have been told not to use a pressure canner or a waterbath granite ware canner on a glass top range. I have been doing this for years with no problems and am wondering why it is considered a no-no.

David Young
Poland, Indiana

The manufacturers of glass-top ranges do not recommend canning on them. I’m sure this is to keep them from being sued if you do can on it and the top fractures. Many readers report regularly that they can successfully on theirs. But because the manufacturers do not recommend doing it, neither can I — just in case… The weight of a filled canner plus the heat involved has cracked some glass tops. Jackie

6 COMMENTS

  1. I don’t can yet, but I do brew beer on a ceramic top stove without any problems. I use a 5 gallon SS pot and it usually holds 3 gallons of water plus 8 pounds of malt and boils for an hour. IMO, I would not hesitate to can on a ceramic top stove.

  2. I have trouble with my glass top range because the burner cycles on and off. I have tried to pressure can with it, but I have to keep adjusting the temp to keep a steady pressure. I finally gave up as I didn’t trust the results. I will purchase an electric hot plate for canning.

  3. I have a glass-top stove (brand new, 2012), and the stove’s manual says that canning on it is fine. It’s a GE. Perhaps brand makes a difference? Some glass-top stoves also want you to use a stand. I’d recommend finding the manual for the stove (you can download most of them from manufacturer websites).

  4. I’ve heard a lot of people say they can on their glass top and thought it was all a bunch of hooey, but one of my newer friends told me that she broke a glass top stove canning. Maybe it’s a matter of some combination of model, age, weight, and heat that results in breakage vs. not.

  5. for what it’s worth, I had to replace my glass top (for other reasons) and it was $340. you don’t want to break one! there are a lot of other options, like buying a used electric off of craigslist, or one of those propane fired jobs, then putting it in the garage to contain the commotion :-),

  6. I have an OLD (18 years) glass top that I have canned on several times. (Am teaching myself). I purchased a 16qt canner that states that it is designed for use on glass tops. It has a flat, smooth bottom that is nearly a perfect match for my largest burner size and is like the pans they recommend for use on these ranges. I do not know if a larger (and heavier) canner would be a problem or not. I know that I have to be able to lift it so I don’t scratch my range by sliding it and I can lift this one with a full complement of quarts. Once I get it hot and build my pressure (12#) I can set the burner at about medium low and it will hold the pressure quite well with only a few small adjustments for a full process time for meat. I don’t know if I could llift a larger one to safely move it. That said – I have taken good care of my range and the cooking surface looks very nearly brand new…I make sure not to slide things and scratch it.

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