The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Food processing => Topic started by: Tullywood Farm on July 24, 2009, 07:09:38 pm

Title: Home Canning
Post by: Tullywood Farm on July 24, 2009, 07:09:38 pm

Hello

Does anyone know if you can get a Home canning machine for meat, fruit and vegetables?

I would appreciate any advice on equipment and prices

Thanks
Julie

Title: Re: Home Canning
Post by: hexhammeasure on July 24, 2009, 09:53:05 pm

its big in america you could try looking on this site

http://www.backwoodshome.com/index.html
 
there may be some tips and equipment there

Title: Re: Home Canning
Post by: bunnyruth on August 06, 2009, 02:12:51 pm

Hello,
I am new to these forums but thought I might be able to assist.  I live in the US and have been canning most of my life as my mother taught me how when I was a child.  Oh, in the US we use the term "canning" for sealing things in glass jars, not just for sealing items in tin cans.  I hope this is what you are looking for.

For fruits and high acid foods like pickles you only need a big kettle with hot water and, of course, the jars.  For low acid foods like vegetables and meats you need to buy a pressure canner, which is different than a pressure cooker.  It is bigger and has a guage on the top to monitor the pressure.  In the US they are available in hardware stores but I believe they are more difficult to find in the UK.  I checked on-line and found these websites that may be helpful:

http://www.pickyourownfarms.org.uk/preserving_supplies.php
http://www.bizrate.com/crock-pots-slow-cookers/electric-pressure-cooker-canner/

There are a few free on-line publications available from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) that you can either download or reference for detailed information on how to can different foods safely.  Here are some links:

http://foodsafety.psu.edu/canningguide.html
http://standeyo.com/News_Files/Food/USDA_canning_guide/USDA_canning.all.pdf

All of these publications use US measurements (cups and quarts, etc. rather than metric) which may need to be changed for your use but that should be fairly easy to do.

I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best in your canning! 
Ruth in New Hampshhire, US

Title: Re: Home Canning
Post by: Tullywood Farm on August 06, 2009, 11:08:33 pm

Thank you Ruth, nice to hear from someone over the pond as they say here in Eire ;D

Julie