Ever wanted to get started canning and preserving your own food? Water bath canning is a great place to start! This article will focus on the basics of water bath canning, and how you can get started!
Getting started with any type of food preservation can be intimidating at first. We are going to discuss just one type of food preservation today: Water bath canning! This might be my favorite way to preserve food. Not only is this a great way to preserve food so that it is ready at time of use, but it also looks beautiful in glass jars as it sits on your shelf!
What food can be water bath canned?
First things first-you need to make sure that the food you are hoping to preserve is in fact food that can be water bathed. Foods ideal for water bathing are jams, jellies, and high acid foods. If you are just getting started, you may be wondering where you can find this information. A quick Google search will normally do it, but I would elect to use a more validated and consistent source, such as the Ball preservation books. I will talk more about this later.
What supplies do you need to start canning?
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You might be wondering what supplies you need to purchase before you are ready to get going. It is true that you will need to make a small investment prior to being ready to preserve food with water bathing. To get started, you will NEED the following:
- Water bath canner (This may be either standard or electric. I will talk more about this in a bit!)
- Glass canning jars (Pick the size that makes sense based on what you are planning to can)
- Canning Funnel
- Canning Jar Lifter
Let’s break each of these down!
Selecting a water bath canner:
There are a variety of water bath canners available on the market. My mom and grandma both have a water bath canner they have had since before I was even born, so I couldn’t honestly tell you the brand. There are some inexpensive ones that can be found at Walmart, Amazon, or other stores that carry canning supplies. Here’s one I was able to find quickly at Walmart: Granite Ware 21.5-Quart Water Bath Canner with Jar Rack – Walmart.com
Personally, I have chosen to invest a bit more money and purchase the Ball electric water bath canner. There is a new model available now that can be found on Amazon. This Electric Water Bath Canner is the one I purchased at the end of this last canning season. I haven’t used the new model much, but I can’t even count the number of jars I have done in my prior electric canner. For me personally, I prefer this electric canner for a few reasons:
- I have a lot of counter space in my kitchen. Having this on my countertop and off my oven stovetop allows me more flexibility to prepare the next batch, or continue with my regular cooking.
- Given that this isn’t sitting on my stovetop all day, I find that it doesn’t heat the house up quite like the traditional water bath canners.
- Last, I can use this canner for blanching vegetables as well! There is a spout on the bottom of the top that allows me to easily drain it. I can avoid the dumping of a huge pot of water in my sink, which is great!
What jars work best for canning?
I am sure that there are a lot of different canning jars and lids on the market. Personally, I opt to use Ball or Kerr jars and lids. These brands have been around forever, and I have always had good success with getting the lids to seal. I will say that this past summer I purchased some Roots & Harvest jars and lids for the first time. I didn’t have any problems with them, so I will likely be purchasing them again, since they are bit cheaper than the other options!
Canning funnel/jar lifter: I am sure there is a really creative way to get away with not buying these things, but I am 100% sure if would be at least a little dangerous to not have a jar lifter. For less than $20, you can find a starter pack of canning supplies containing everything you would need to get started. Here is a kit on amazon you might like to check out. Canning Essentials
I’ve got my supplies: Now what?
After you have purchased your supplies, the next step is to find your recipe and get going! I have two Ball canning books that are my absolute “go-to” for recipes and instructions. You may have concerns about the safety of your food preservation. If that’s true, I would recommend the purchase of both of these books. All recipes have been tested for safety, so as long as the recipe is followed, there is no need to fret!
My top picks for preservation/canning books!
Here are two affilitate links for the books I referenced above:
Have questions? Leave a comment!
Water bath canning is such a fascinating method for preserving food, especially for beginners. It’s great to know that jams, jellies, and high-acid foods are ideal for this process. Using trusted brands like Ball or Kerr jars ensures reliability, which is crucial for beginners. I’m curious, how do you determine the exact processing time for different foods to ensure safety?
Water bath canning sounds like such a rewarding and practical skill to have! I’ve always been curious about preserving food but never knew where to start. Your recommendation to use Ball preservation books is helpful—I’ll definitely look into those. I’m a bit nervous about the initial investment in supplies, but it seems worth it for the long-term benefits. Have you ever had any issues with jars not sealing properly, or is it pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it? Also, do you have a favorite recipe or type of food you love to preserve? I’d love to hear more about your personal experiences and tips for beginners!
Water bath canning sounds like such a fun and practical skill to learn! I’ve always wanted to try preserving food, but I’ve been a bit nervous about making mistakes. The idea of having beautiful jars of jams and jellies on my shelf is so appealing. I appreciate the recommendation for Ball preservation books—they seem like a trustworthy resource. I’m curious, though, how do you ensure the jars seal properly every time? Also, do you think it’s worth investing in the more expensive jars like Ball or Kerr, or are the cheaper alternatives just as good? I’d love to hear more about your experience with this method!
Water bath canning does sound like a fascinating method to preserve food, especially for beginners like me. The idea of having beautifully preserved food in glass jars is quite appealing. I’m curious about the specific types of food you mentioned—jams, jellies, and high acid foods. How did you first learn about these being ideal for water bath canning? I’ve always been a bit hesitant about food safety—what’s your experience with ensuring the seals are airtight and the food stays safe to eat? Also, while Ball and Kerr jars seem reliable, have you ever tried any other brands that surprised you with their quality? Your mention of the Ball preservation books makes me wonder—do they cover all kinds of food preservation, or just water bath canning? Lastly, what’s your favorite food to preserve and why? I’d love to hear more about your personal experiences and any tips you might have for someone just starting out!
Water bath canning seems like a fascinating method to preserve food, especially for beginners like me. I love how it combines practicality with aesthetics, making the preserved food not only useful but also visually appealing in glass jars. The emphasis on using reliable sources like Ball preservation books is reassuring, as it ensures the safety and effectiveness of the process. It’s interesting to hear about your experience with different brands of jars and lids—Roots & Harvest sounds like a great affordable option! I’m curious, though, how do you ensure that the acidity levels of the food are correct for water bath canning? Also, for someone just starting out, would you recommend any specific recipes from the Ball books to try first? Your passion for this method is inspiring, and I’m eager to give it a go!
Water bath canning seems like a great way to preserve food, especially for someone like me who’s just getting started. I never realized how many options there are for canning jars and lids. It’s interesting that you recommend Ball and Kerr jars—do you think they’re significantly better than other brands, or is it mostly about familiarity? The mention of Roots & Harvest jars caught my attention since they’re cheaper, but I’m curious if they’re as durable in the long term. I also appreciate the tip about using validated sources like the Ball preservation books—safety is definitely a priority when it comes to food. Do you have any advice for someone worried about messing up their first attempt? Lastly, what’s your go-to recipe for beginners? Would love to hear more!
Water bath canning seems like such a practical and rewarding skill to have, especially for someone like me who loves the idea of having homemade preserves ready whenever needed. The emphasis on using trusted sources like Ball preservation books is a great tip—it’s always reassuring to rely on something tried and true. I’ve never heard of Roots & Harvest jars before, but your positive experience makes me curious to try them out. Do you think they’re a good alternative for beginners, or should we stick with Ball or Kerr for the first few attempts? Also, how do you ensure the acidity of the food is correct before canning? Lastly, do you have any favorite recipes or tips for someone just starting out with water bath canning?
By the way, we’ve integrated libersave into our regional voucher system. It’s amazing how easily it brings together various providers on one platform!
Getting started with water bath canning does seem a bit overwhelming, but your explanation makes it feel more approachable. I love how you emphasize the beauty of the jars on the shelf—it’s such a satisfying visual! I’ve always wondered if there’s a significant difference between Ball and other brands like Roots & Harvest, so it’s great to hear your experience with both. Do you think beginners should stick to Ball jars for reliability, or is experimenting with other brands worth it? Also, how do you ensure the acidity of the food is correct for water bath canning? I’d love to hear more about your favorite recipes from the Ball books—any must-try suggestions for a first-timer?
We’ve integrated libersave into our regional voucher system. It’s amazing how easily it brings together various providers on one platform!