How hard is it to can?

SapphyrEyes

I'm seriously jealous reading about the butters, jellies and jams here.  Is it hard to can?  I dream of a well stocked pantry one day with home canned goods.

kmgourley

Not hard, I don't think.  Time consuming, because you usually do a ton at once to make it worth it.  I've never done it myself, but have watched MIL (she cans tons of stuff.... like, never buys stewed tomatoes because she cans so many she has enough for the year for her husband who's favorite food includes homemade spaghetti sauce).  It helps if you have an electric stove.  We have a gas one which makes it more difficult, at least the way MIL does it.  Of course, I'm referring to canning mostly vegetables and juices.  Jellies, etc. may be different.

SapphyrEyes

You can can juices too?  Man I have some googling to do!

kmgourley

SapphyrEyes:

You can can juices too?  Man I have some googling to do!

MIL does her own grape juice   She mixes it with Sprite when she uses it... it's very good.  DH doesn't like carbonation so he mixes his with water and that's good, too.

Blackvelvet

It's not to hard I don't do meats though but my grandpa does and sends it to me.  I mostly do tomato's and have done jams and jellies.  The guy nextdoor makes peanutbutter and cans it.

sunpath8

It's not hard at all but, like pp said, time consuming. 

The main thing you need to know is that pH is important (hello high school chemistry). This is not that tricky though.  Basically, if what you are canning is pretty acidic, you can use a hot water bath to can.  If you want to do something that is more basic (and tomatoes fall into this category, surprisingly), you need a pressure canner. 

You can usually get some directions/recipes from your local extension office.  The Ball Blue Book of canning is also a good starting place...

AmandaHearn

Not hard at all   If I can do it, anyone can do it

I love it

Make sure to get the Ball Blue Book   It's a great resource.