Canning Tools

[MadTripper]

My Grandma decided to quit canning after this past year so she donated all of her goodies to my wife and I. I've been wanting to get started but of course, there have been other duties to take care of.

So, I now have a hot water bath, two cases of quart jars, and a 5 gallon stainless stock pot. She said to put the jars up and bring the boxes back and she'll fill it up again. I'm really excited however harvest time is pretty much come and gone in our neck of the woods. Perhaps I'll buy something in bulk from the local produce and try my hand. I also need to get a canning book from our extension office. We are at about 1500 feet so I know there are some items to consider.

I'll be posting questions soon so I hope you all can help!

Tripper

[hillbillygal]

Congrats on the canning supplies!

[TNDadx4]

That's awesome! Congratulations! I started canning this year with my kids after we picked up a pot and jars for $3.00 at a garage sale :)

Good luck!

[humbug]

I have been canning for quite some time. Great score on the equipment. I would take all the canning jars I could get if I were you. Canning jars are up around $8.00 a case here. I continually check thrift stores for them.

[MadTripper]

I'm sure she has a ton of them. She has been canning for many years, 50 or so I'm sure. I need to acquire a pressure canner however a friend said I could borrow his as needed since he and his wife don't use it much anymore.

Tripper

[leera]

That's great! I started canning about six or so years ago,my Mom always did all the canning,etc while my brother and I were gone at school during the day,so I never realy got a chance to learn from her.I pretty much just got myself a copy of the Ball Blue Book and started learning.

I have not yet mastered using a pressure canner,but will be working on that this winter.

[Gibbonboy]

I bought my pressure canner new, but everything else has either been given to me, or bought at flea markets, yard sales, etc. for pennies. I really didn't want to spend the money on the canner, but after I realized that it was still cheaper than the cheapest freezer that I'd buy, and what it would do for me, it was really a no-brainer. Besides, with Mirro being traded around, and many of the foundries/companies that made canners going out of business or gone already, I wanted something that parts would be a "likely to find item" for at least a few years.

I've scarfed up enough jars now that I have really enough, but will still take widemouth jars if they're offerred.

[sher]

I PUT AN ADD IN OUR LOCAL PAPER JUST SIMPLY WANTING CANNING JARS- I GOT SWAMPED WITH CALLS,THE PEOPLE WERE THRILLED TO FIND SOMEONE TO USE THEM- MOST PEOPLE THAT HAD THEM JUST HAD QUIT CANNING WHEN THE FAMILY WAS GONE- I KNOW SOMEONE THAT WAS SO UPSET, THEY TOOK THERE JARS TO GOOD WILL AFTER WIFE HAD PASSED AWAY, HOPING THAT SOMEONE COULD PUT THEM TO GOOD USE- THE PEOPLE WORKING AT GOODWILL THROUGH THEM IN A DUMPSTER, THE MAN HAD NOT LEFT YET AND IT JUST BROKE HIS HEART- ONE MORE REASON TO NOT SUPPORT GOOD WILL!

[swampyankee]

Good idea Sher. thank you. I'll have to try that in my area. ;D

[leera]

I did the same thing when I needed more jars last year.I posted an ad on the local freecycle page,I ended up with 12 dozen quart jars,and 5 dozen pints and half pints........since I only can in pints or smaller I gave all the quarts to friend with a large family that is also learning to can and preserve. It worked out good for both of us.

The Good Will and Salvation Army around here do sell jars in their stores,but they want 2 for $1.00 for pints and $.99 each for quarts........

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

Hey gang! New guy here. I've been following this thread for some time now.
It's a pity but, yes, canning IS becoming a 'lost art'.
I'm kinda one of those "old school" types, though, and I don't intend to let it die. My mother and an aunt are teaching me and I'm digging it! My mom gave me an All American model 915 that was given to her by an elderly lady that saw her looking at canning supplies at the grocery one day. Several others have given us thier collections of jars. Many were merely needing a rinse. Others needed a real cleaning.

I think that most members here have some speculation or understanding of what is in store for the future.
With that being said... NEVER refuse free food (even if you don't eat it) or any means to preserve it.

With the incredible amount of 'freebies' that we've been given, it's almost as if the Lord is telling us something. Helping us to prepare. He states that He helps those that help themselves.