Whether you are new to canning or an experienced canner, having the right canning equipment is crucial.
As canning season approaches, we thought we would answer some frequently asked questions about what type of canning equipment that we use and find helpful in our own kitchen.
For those wanting specific info on the products mentioned, we have included affiliate product links highlighted in red to help.
Canning Equipment
Water Bath Canner:
If you are new to canning and if you will primarily be canning jellies, jams, salsas and pickles, a water bath canner is the way to go.
It is a large pot that can hold either pint or quart canning jars, and is used to process canned food using boiling water. It is fairly simple to use and is a good first step for those hesitant to try their hand at canning.
Pressure Canner:
If you are serious about canning food to feed your family, a pressure canner is a must! Although many people are intimidated and hesitant to use a pressure canner, they are actually easy and safe to use.
We use our pressure canner equipment to can tomato juice, diced tomatoes, green beans, and more!
There are two basic types of pressure canners: weighted gauge and dial gauge.
A weighted gauge pressure canner uses small weights to measure the pounds of pressure. Standard units are measured in 5lbs, 10lbs, and 15lbs of pressure.
A dial gauge pressure canner measures the pressure through a regulated gauge. No weights are used. However, you should get your dial regulated every year to ensure that it is measuring the pressure accurately.
Canning Jars:
There is no doubt that the most important items in a canning equipment collection are Canning Jars themselves!
Not all jars are created equal! Some people prefer to use only Mason, Ball or Kerr Canning Jars. But regardless of the brand, there are a few important tips to consider before you buy your jars.
- Regular mouth vs. Wide mouth: This only has to do with the size of the opening at the top of the jar. Wide mouth jars are much easier to use when canning large items such as pickles and sliced fruits. Regular mouth jars have a smaller opening and best used when canning sauces and liquids.
- Not all jars are interchangeable. – There are specific jars to be used at specific times. Some jars are freezer jars – that are not safe for canning in a hot water bath or pressure canner. There are other jars, especially those found at flea markets that are for decorative use only. And of course, there are jars that are designed to withstand the heat and pressure a water bath or pressure canner. Before you purchase your jars, be sure to read the label to verify the approved use of the jars.
Canning Lids/Rings:
And no canning equipment list would be complete without the canning lids/rings.
Canning lids are what seals the jars and canning rings are what holds the lids secure prior to and during the canning process. The lids should never be reused.
The rings can be taken off once your jars have been processed and are ready to be stored. They can be used over and over again as long as they remain in good condition. Make sure to buy the right size for your jars (regular vs. wide mouth) as they are not interchangeable.
Canning Kits:
If you are just getting started, canning kits are one of the best purchases that you can make! All of the helpful tools are included in one package:
- Funnel: Most kits include a funnel to help you fill your jars. It would be really difficult and messy to fill your jars without one. One thing to keep in mind – most funnels that are included in the kit fit on top of regular mouth jars perfectly. You will need to hold your funnel to completely fill your wide mouth jars to the top.
- Jar lifter: A must have tool to get those hot jars out of your canner.
- Magnetic lid lifter: This tool has saved me many times from burning my fingers as I lifted lids out of the hot water to seal the jars.
- Plastic tool: This tool not only helps you release air bubbles in your jars, but it also has a guide to measure the necessary headspace that it calls for in your recipe.
Food Mill/Strainer:
If you are planning on making tomato juice, pasta sauce, salsa, apple butter or apple sauce, this tool is extremely handy and well worth the purchase!
No need to peel your tomatoes or apples. After cooking them, run them through the mill. Not only will it separate out the skins, but it will also remove the seeds as well!
It also comes with various sized strainers to allow for a thicker or thinner end product. The brand that we use: Roma by Weston Food Strainer and Sauce Maker.
Towels/Washcloths:
This may seem like a trivial requirement for a list of essential tools required for canning.
However, ask any experienced canner, and they will tell you that you can never have enough towels or washcloths when you are canning.
From wiping the top of the jars clean before adding the lid, to wiping up spills as you fill the jars, to even having towels ready for the hot jars to sit on to cool, you will go through a whole laundry load of washcloths and towels before the day is done.
Now that you know the Canning Equipment that we use and recommend, check out some of our favorite CANNING RECIPES.
Happy Canning! Mary and Jim
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
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