Home Canning

katiemac12345

Hi Ladies, 

Does anyone know of a store where you can buy a home canning kit or similar? Obviously it would vary from city to city, but I don't know where to start and I don't want to drive around with the baby all afternoon to find one I have cucumbers coming out of my ears and need to make some pickles!

Hulahoop1234

Not very small business-y, but you can get everything you need in one aisle at our walmart and kmart.  Not sure what area of NE you are in but some of your local grocery stores might have things too.

daenikoffre

I'd call around, especially since although a store may carry it, they might be out. 

wifeofadam

You can find a lot of what you need at the farming stores too - I got my pressure canner at Tractor Supply. 

I highly recommend purchasing the Ball Blue Book.  I bought this one and it has everything I need to know to can just about anything.  I've used at least 15 of the recipes already this year.

I don't think the kits are really necessary.  I don't use the "tools" that came in the package my MIL gave me.  All I use are my canners, Ball book, salad thongs for lifting jars (I like these way better than the things that came in the kit), and a funnel.

nsees

I got my Presto pressure canner from amazon.  I recommend the jar lifters as well because those jars are hot coming out of the canner, and I feel like they are much more secure using the lifter than tongs, etc.

You can find canning supplies at Walmart, etc as well as your local hardware stores.

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-286-5-Piece-Canning/dp/B0002BF1WY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313899628&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Waterbath-Including-Chrome-Plated-4-Piece/dp/B00212IHBY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1313899628&sr=8-8

If you think you're going to do any canner that will require a pressure canner, I recommend just investing in one off the bat as you can also use it as a water bath canner.  https://www.amazon.com/Presto-23-Quart-Aluminum-Pressure-Cooker/dp/B0000BYCFU/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1313899723&sr=8-17

books https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Complete-Book-Home-Preserving/dp/0778801314/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313899802&sr=1-1

Or some people recommend the blue book.  This is the one I have but it's out of stock through amazon https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Blue-Book-Guide-Preserving/dp/0972753702/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313899871&sr=1-1

HTH!

Lvneveryminuteofit

I'm from NE too so maybe I can help. Ditto the pp suggestion of Walmart. That's where I've picked up my supplies each season. Also, you really don't need a whole kit. If you have metal tongs and a large pot you should be fine. But they do sell the kit there. I believe I saw them all on sale this week as well. I believe I've also seen them at Target but they're a little more pricey there. HTH!