Canning in an autoclave
My SIL found me a nice All American canner at a yard sale, or so we thought. It seems it may be a sterilizer. It does not have a weight, it has an autoclave. Can I still pressure can in it?
Dawn Norcross
St. Charles, Michigan
If this is the old large All American autoclave that sits on a burner, it’s probably just like mine which I canned with for more than 30 years and still works fine. It has a gauge and two petcocks on top. You can call the company at 920-682-8627 for verification. Some folks claim you shouldn’t can in an autoclave but I’m sure it depends on the autoclave; I wouldn’t can in an electric autoclave. You should have the gauge checked to be sure it’s accurate. Many County Extension offices will do this for little or no charge. Remember to use a rack on the bottom. My autoclave/canner has a separate solid aluminum kettle that drops down into the canner body, holding the jars off of the bottom of the canner. Without the rack, you will break the bottoms out of jars due to the intense heat on the bottom of the jars. — Jackie
Canning lard
In the process of moving my canned goods from my old root cellar to my new one I discovered that a number of my jars of lard, which I had canned this year, had not stayed sealed. I usually wait about 24 hours to remove the rings after canning. The lard appears to be fine. Is it likely to have gone bad? Can I remelt it and can it again? It was really nice lard and I hate to lose it.
I know it is hard but it won’t be long before the doctor lifts your restrictions and you can go “full tilt” again.
Carol
Hightown, Virginia
Your lard is probably fine but I would re-can it. Open the jars and sniff it. If it’s gone rancid I wouldn’t re-can it. But if it smells fine, just scoop it out into a kettle, melt it until quite hot (about 275 degrees), then pour out into hot, clean jars. Wipe the rims well with hot water and a clean dish cloth, put a hot, previously simmered lid in place and screw down the rings. You’ll be good to go.
Isn’t it exciting moving to a new pantry?
I’m glad to get rid of the gallbladder but it IS hard after most of the pain’s gone NOT to lift! Soon though… — Jackie
Ellendra,
They probably would, but the company has said that they “should not be used for canning”. It may just be a legal thing…..
The sterilizer I got is one that looks exactly like the stovetop version, I wish I could attach a photo of it. It uses the same physics as a pressure canner, so I guess I assumed it worked the same. Why do they not work for canning?
Sandy,
I’m not supposed to answer questions here. See the RED box at the bottom of the comments, etc. Use the “click here to ask Jackie a question” link and I’ll be happy to answer your questions.
Ellandra,
Do you have information on using this autoclave as a canner. I was told that you shouldn’t use one with electric heating for canning and would like to get that clarified.
Sandy, to be on the safe side, I would use your lard for either the candles or soap if it smells OK once warmed. Sorry I can’t help with your other questions.
Good morning…..I have been an active follower of your blog for quite sometime now….I’ve learned so much from the information that you provide…so a big thank you! my question is this…I rendered down my own fresh tallow in the fall of 2012…I’ve found a few jars in my fridge, that appear to be okay, with no smell to them, however there appears to be some discoloring on the bottom of the jars…? I don’t see it running throughout, just a few veins on the bottom ? ? should I toss it…or can I use it ? if it’s to be tossed…can we make candles out of it ? or soap ? I just don’t want to waste it if I can avoid it….I made lard last fall in 2013..I store it also in the fridge…how long will it keep to your knowledge…it’s a consistent temp and dark unless I’m getting something out of it…I just don’t want to loose any or poison my family lol….thanks again for all your knowledge…Your one smart cookie!
Have a fantastic day
Sandy in Hamilton Ohio
I found an All American sterilizer that works exactly like their pressure canners, except that it has a built-in heating element, like a crock pot does.
Jackie & Carol – I heard a tip years ago to wipe the tops of jars having fatty or oily products in them with a cloth or paper towel just dampened with vinegar. It really cuts the grease and works great.
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