There is a deep satisfaction to opening a pantry shelf in February and seeing rows of jars you put up in August. Home canning is older than the country itself, and the technique has barely changed since Nicolas Appert won Napoleon’s prize for preserving food in 1809. This Canning 101 guide walks through both home methods (water bath and pressure), the food-safety rules behind them, and the ...

Understanding the Context

Canning Industrial canning machines used for mass-producing canned salmon in 1917 Canning is a method of food preservation in which food is processed and sealed in an airtight container (jars like Mason jars, and steel and tin cans). Canning Canning is an important, safe method of food preservation if practiced properly. The canning process involves placing foods in jars or cans and heating them to a temperature that destroys microorganisms that could be a health hazard or cause the food to spoil. Canning also inactivates enzymes that could cause the food to spoil.

Key Insights

3. Load filled jars, fitted with lids, into the canner rack and use the handles to lower the rack into the water; or fill the canner with the rack in the bottom, one jar at a time, using a jar lifter. Pack the food you're canning into hot, sterilized jars before placing them in the boiling water bath. Read home canning for beginners to learn how to can food throughout the year, including tips for ... Learn how to can safely and easily with our beginner-friendly guide.

Final Thoughts

Discover the differences between water-bath and pressure canning, get essential tips, and preserve fresh produce for winter enjoyment.