please help

[Mrs_Kidd]

OK my husband and I are moving out to the country and we are going to have to grow and can our own food. Problem is I have never canned before, haven't a clue how to do it. we grow things like corn, collards, green beans, peas, tomatoes etc. How do I can these things.
any help is appreciated. whats a pressure caner is it the same as a pressure cooker.

thanks,
Nickole

[Shamrock1121]

Check out this web site:
National Center for Home Food Preservation
http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/publications/publications_usda.html

If you have a County Extension Office near you, they may have free classes, and have lots of free information.

-Karen

[calliel]

I Just taught a canning class. I highly advise you to do a search on pressure canning and then one on water bath canning. I found sites with pictures, steps etc.

When you have done that, come back and ask us more. There is just way too much to try to tell you all at once. If you can follow a recipe you can pressure can. If you see a Ball Blue Book of Canning anywhere - Wal Mart, Amazon - buy it. They aren't expensive- I paid $8 for one this year. It will pretty much tell you everything. But if you are still confused - please repost.

[annabella1]

I will answer your one specific question. "What is a pressure canner, is it the same as a pressure cooker?" Pressure canners and pressure cookers work on the same principle in that foods heated under pressure rise to a higher temperature than foods not under pressure. The difference between the two. A pressure canner is larger and usually has more precise control over the amount of pressure in them(a gauge or weight).. A pressure canner usually comes with racks to hold the jars off the bottom of the pan.
A pressure cooker is smaller and used for cooking the food itself, faster because of the higher temperature. A pressure cooker may not be big enough to hold more than 1 or 2 jars(not worth your time) Often a pressure cooker has a set amount of pressure that you cook at and you have less control. A pressure cooker is unreliable for canning. Some companies offer combination cooker/canners, I don't think they are a good idea, because if you are cooking in them you may get food stuck in the vents and it will not exhaust properly when you go to can. Get a good pressure canner and dedicate it to canning foods only.

[Mrs_Kidd]

Thanks everyone for the answers to my questions I will have to get the book and goggle it. If I have more questions I will be sure to post :D

nickole

[nancy1340]

Also get in touch with your County Extension Agency.
In a lot of areas they offer classes on things like canning and other classes homesteaders can use.

[Mrs_Kidd]

Thanks nancy1340 Ill have to check it out. :)

Nickole