Canning for Long Term Food Storage

Canning is a great way to preserve food for long-term storage. It is a simple process that can be done at home with a few basic supplies. Canned foods can be stored for up to a year or more, making them a great option for emergency preparedness or simply for stocking up on your favorite foods.

Getting Started

To get started canning, you will need the following supplies:

A canner
Canning jars
Lids and rings
A jar lifter
A canning funnel
A ladle
A thermometer
Sugar
Salt
Vinegar

You can find all of these supplies at your local grocery store or hardware store.

Choosing the Right Foods

Not all foods are suitable for canning. Some foods, such as raw meat and poultry, should not be canned at home. Other foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can be canned safely.

When choosing foods to can, it is important to consider the following factors:

The acidity of the food
The sugar content of the food
The salt content of the food

Acidic foods, such as tomatoes and pickles, can be canned safely without the addition of any preservatives. Sugary foods, such as fruits, can also be canned safely without the addition of any preservatives. However, low-acid foods, such as vegetables, must be canned with the addition of a preservative, such as sugar, salt, or vinegar.

Preparing the Food

Once you have chosen the foods you want to can, you will need to prepare them for canning.

The following are some general instructions for preparing food for canning:

Wash the food thoroughly.
Remove any blemishes or bruises.
Cut the food into uniform pieces.
Blanch the food (if necessary).

Blanching is a process of heating the food in boiling water for a short period of time. This helps to remove any bacteria that may be present on the food and also helps to soften the food so that it will pack more easily into the jars.

Canning the Food

Once the food is prepared, you can begin canning it.

The following are the steps for canning food:

Fill the jars with the prepared food.
Add the required amount of sugar, salt, or vinegar.
Place the lids and rings on the jars.
Process the jars in a canner for the recommended amount of time.
Remove the jars from the canner and let them cool completely.

Once the jars are cool, they can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year or more.

Tips for Canning

Here are a few tips for canning:

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Follow the canning instructions carefully.
Do not overfill the jars.
Do not process the jars for too long or too short a time.
Let the jars cool completely before storing them.

By following these tips, you can safely and easily can food for long-term storage.

Troubleshooting

If you have any problems with canning, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

If the jars do not seal properly, they may not have been processed for long enough.
If the food is too soft, it may have been over-processed.
If the food is too tough, it may have been under-processed.
If the food has an off odor or taste, it may have been contaminated with bacteria. Do not eat it.

If you have any questions about canning, you can contact your local Cooperative Extension office or the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Canning for Long Term Food Storage