What do you need to do some major canning? Here are my suggestions for a happy canning experience.
A Stainless Steel Canning Funnel
[easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B00004UE88″ locale=”us” height=”115″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41H8B03T3PL._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]A [easyazon-link asin=”B00004UE88″ locale=”us”]canning funnel[/easyazon-link] is a requirement to easily transfer foods into a jar. Sure you can go with plastic, but stainless will hold up better and isn’t going to melt if you get it too close to a hot burner.
A Jar Lifter
[easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B007QT4GM6″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HLBRZCB0L._SL160_.jpg” width=”108″]You don’t want to try to lift hot jars out of a pot of boiling water by hand, do you? A [easyazon-link keywords=”jar-lifter” locale=”us”]jar-lifter[/easyazon-link] will let you grab those jars without burning your hands.
Commercial-Grade Stainless Steel Ladles
[easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B008K3Z76Q” locale=”us” height=”110″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31EzsaG-%2BVL._SL110_.jpg” width=”110″]You want a [easyazon-link keywords=”nsf stainless ladle” locale=”us”]ladle with a long handle[/easyazon-link] so that you can get into large stockpots. Most ladles made for home use are way to short for this task and don’t hold anywhere near enough. You can find [easyazon-link keywords=”32 oz ladle” locale=”us”]quart-sized commercial ladles[/easyazon-link]. I find myself using an [easyazon-link keywords=”8 oz stainless ladle” locale=”us”]8 oz stainless[/easyazon-link], NSF-approved ladle I picked up at a local restaurant-supply store. If you are only canning small jars, you may find a [easyazon-link keywords=”4 oz stainless ladle” locale=”us”]4 oz[/easyazon-link] or [easyazon-link keywords=”6 oz stainless ladle” locale=”us”]6 oz[/easyazon-link] ladle more appropriate.
Large Stainless Stockpots – induction capable
[easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B000ZMHDRQ” locale=”us” height=”82″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/2176Dek6DtL._SL110_.jpg” width=”110″]You can cook a small amount of something in a large pot, but you’ll not be cooking a large amount in a tiny pot! If you were to go for a [easyazon-link keywords=”22 quart stainless stock pot” locale=”us”]22 quart stockpot[/easyazon-link] (a common size), it could do double-duty as a boiling-water-bath canner. I suggest an [easyazon-link keywords=”induction cookware” locale=”us”]induction-capable pot[/easyazon-link] because induction technology seems to be becoming very popular and your next stove-top may be induction. Also, many people buy hotplates to help out in the kitchen during canning season – there are several [easyazon-link keywords=”induction” locale=”us”]portable induction burners[/easyazon-link] on the market these days.
Commercial-Grade Stainless Steel Spoons
[easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B00915HNZK” locale=”us” height=”110″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31YiLxZu8RL._SL110_.jpg” width=”110″]Again with the commercial thing? Why do I need a [easyazon-link keywords=”commercial spoon stainless professional” locale=”us”]commercial spoon[/easyazon-link]? Because they have the long handles to get to the bottom of a tall stockpot.
Stainless Steel Skimmer [easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B000P9TKC0″ locale=”us” height=”58″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31uju5z%2BTlL._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]When canning, you frequently want to distribute the solids out of a pot of soup evenly between jars, or only have a jar half-ful of solids before topping-off with broth. The easiest way I’ve found to do this is with a [easyazon-link asin=”B000P9TKC0″ locale=”us”]skimmer[/easyazon-link]. If you are fan of deep-frying, perhaps you already have one lying about the house?
Stainless Steel Colanders
[easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B00555ETXY” locale=”us” height=”68″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41eVkUNRBJL._SL110_.jpg” width=”110″]A couple [easyazon-link keywords=”stainless colander” locale=”us”]large colanders[/easyazon-link] make rinsing large quantities of vegetables much easier! If you have a steam juicer, you should probably just grab the colander out of the top if it.
Stainless Steel Steam Juicer [easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B0002IBQL2″ locale=”us” height=”110″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/416lluf6DBL._SL110_.jpg” width=”110″]The best invention for clear jellies, the [easyazon-link keywords=”stainless steam juicer” locale=”us”]steam juicer[/easyazon-link] also is great for removing water from tomatoes or preparing apples for apple sauce. The large colander can be used for straining anything, or with the [easyazon-link asin=”B0002IBQL2″ locale=”us”]Krona model[/easyazon-link] can be used as a normal steamer. A [easyazon-link keywords=”stainless steam juicer” locale=”us”]steam juicer[/easyazon-link] consists of 5 parts: A water pan on the bottom, A collection pan, with spout, above the water pan, A colander into which you place your product, A lid sitting on top of all, and a heat-proof hose attached to the collection pan’s spout, for draining-off your juice.
A food mill or berry-press attachment for your stand mixer [easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B00004SGFJ” locale=”us” height=”110″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/311qb72yfJL._SL110_.jpg” width=”110″]How do you remove all the seeds and peels from the produce you’ve just run through your steam juicer? Hook up a press attachment to your [easyazon-link asin=”B00004SGFJ” locale=”us”]Kitchen Aid[/easyazon-link], Bosch or Assistent stand mixers.
Pressure Canners [easyazon-image align=”right” asin=”B00004S88Z” locale=”us” height=”110″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41hC%2BsFPoBL._SL110_.jpg” width=”97″]Canners? Plural? Why would you need more than one canner? And what about water bath canners?I feel a tall [easyazon-link keywords=”pressure canner” locale=”us”]pressure canner[/easyazon-link] is a must unless you have need of a small canner. A tall [easyazon-link keywords=”pressure canner” locale=”us”]pressure canner[/easyazon-link] is one that is 21 quarts by volume or greater. It will be tall enough to do two layers of pint jars as well as be used as a boiling water bath canner.[easyazon-link keywords=”Presto pressure canner” locale=”us”]Presto[/easyazon-link], [easyazon-link keywords=”Mirro pressure canner” locale=”us”]Mirro[/easyazon-link] and [easyazon-link keywords=”All-American pressure canner” locale=”us”]All-American[/easyazon-link] all make 21 quart, or larger, pressure canners. I suggest more than one canner if you are doing large batches. You can start a second canner-load as soon as the first has finished its time, or you can have two canners going at once.
