Water Bath canning quart jars--my rant

[Pigzzilla]

I have 2 W.B. canners that I've had for at least 20 years. I get really annoyed cause quart jars really don't fit in it. The darned things just aren't deep enough for quarts. Supposed to have a rack on the bottom, then the jars, then 1 to 2 inches water over the jars, then 1 to 2 inches of "boiling" room. Many of my older Ball quarts are taller than the newer ones. So I use my pressure canner as a water bath canner when doing quarts. I've looked at the new W.B. canner pots but they aren't any taller. Does anyone else notice this? That's my rant for the month!.........pigzzilla

[NCLee]

Yes, I've noticed the "modern" waterbath canners aren't quite as tall as the old ones. I have my Mom's and my MIL's waterbath ones. I'm guessing that they are 50-60 years old. Suspect that some of the newer ones are designed for pints only.

However, I haven't noticed a difference in the height of my canning jars. Some of those were bought back in the early 70's. So, you have me wondering about your "old" jars.

Wondering if they are the ones that used to use zinc caps rather than lids and rings? What are the brand names on them? Are they clear or colored? I have a few LAMB that are very light pink. I don't use them for canning.

Also wondering if they originally came with some product in them, rather than being sold as canning jars? Much like the Classico tomato sauce comes in them today.

Must admit that you've peaked my curosity about your jars. Some of the old ones are highly collectable.

BTW, if you have large stock pots, they can be used for waterbath canning, too. Just put a folded towel in the bottom of the pot to serve as a trivet, so the jars don't come into contact with the bottom of the pot. You can use the "rack" from your pressure canner if it'll fit into your stock pot. Round cake cooling racks, can also be used in stock pots.

Oh, one more thing before I get too long winded, again. :) When waterbath canning, once the contents come to a boil, turn down the heat to the point that it just holds the boil. After water reaches 212 degrees (sea level), it won't get any hotter than that in a waterbath. After that point, the more heat that's applied the more actively the water moves in the pot.

Have had a hard time convincing some of the folks in this house that potatoes and beans don't cook any faster with the heat on HIGH. All it does is lets the water beat the food to death. :wink:

Do let us know about those old jars.

Lee

[ScrubbieLady]

I have two WB canners. Two different sizes. One holds pints comfortably. The other holds quarts. I can get the large boiling and then turn the temp down so it keeps boiling but doesn't try to kick the jars out. It does just fine as long as the boiling water is over the top. BTW, I bought my larger canner about 20 years ago and I still see them for sale. I bought my small one last year.

[momma_to_seven_chi]

I have 2 W.B. canners that I've had for at least 20 years. I get really annoyed cause quart jars really don't fit in it. The darned things just aren't deep enough for quarts. Supposed to have a rack on the bottom, then the jars, then 1 to 2 inches water over the jars, then 1 to 2 inches of "boiling" room. Many of my older Ball quarts are taller than the newer ones. So I use my pressure canner as a water bath canner when doing quarts. I've looked at the new W.B. canner pots but they aren't any taller. Does anyone else notice this? That's my rant for the month!.........pigzzilla


My waterbath canner is over 30yrs old, and the quarts fit just fine. I imagine they they are making them smaller nowadays. My new pressure canner only holds 6qrts at a time rather than the 8 my WB holds. That kind of irritates me. But the pressure canner is much faster, so I'm glad I got it. Honestly, I never use a rack in either one. I just put a washcloth in the bottom to sit the jars on. That's probably not the "proper" way to do it, but it's worked since I was 15, so that's how I still do it.

[Pigzzilla]

I just measured the jars I put up beef-veggie soup in last night. (pressure canned). I have a hodge-podge of jar brands from a major jar score years ago.

Here are the heights, with the screw band on:
these are quart jars

Ball reg, 6 7/8"
Magic Dot reg, 6 7/8"
Ball wide, 6 7/8"
Kerr wide, 6 3/4"
Good House Keeper, 6 1/2"

All different and I didn't measure my Golden Harvest...........Pigzzilla