I've made a decision.

**mommy4ever** · 04-29-2008, 01:35 PM

After doing some reading, and with things moving as they are in these unsure times. I've decided I'm saving a little of my grocery money, some of my spending money and a little our tax return to purchase a pressure canner.

I use canning jars for a ton of things so I have abunch pluse they are cheap at garage sales... that season is here.

There things i'd like to can. Meat sauce, meatballs and gravy. Chili, veggies, fruit, veggie soup, hamburger soup, barley soups. Canned beans for me. Even if I use the jellyjars and make single servings. If times were tight, there's be some for everyone..lol. THey'd learn to like em.

With economics unsure as they are for the next few years, getting a start on some old time skills, wouldn't be a bad thing. I dont' have a large garden space, but I get offered a ton of things every year. I freeze what I can. But freezer space is premium and in a power outage you risk losing everything.

I've been looking and looking at the grocery budget, thinking back. I dont' remember ever buying canned veggies growing up. then I remembered mom canned everything. We had peas, beans, carrots canned. Canned tomatoes, canned pears, canned peaches. We had to buy the pears and peaches, but whatever. We also had canned crabapples. Jams and jams and jellies. I have a space in the basement that could be dedicated to preserved food.

So I'm thinking that $150-200 would be well invested in a canner. I don't have a large garden space, but my flower beds can all grow tomatoes for tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes. 12 plants can grow ALOT of tomatoes. I can even make them hanging. My 2 8x4 raised beds can raise alot of bush beans, carrots. Peas...well fresh garden peas are too yummy to eat right then and there..lol. So not sure how much we'd get. I have 2 very healthy rhubarb plants, a small raspberry patch doesn't produce well, need to research that. A small strawberry patch that is always ready when I'm away from home so the birds feast..lol. I have room to build another couple raised beds. My compost should be ready, I think I'll get dh to build the beds and I'll do it "lasagna" style and see what happens. I will dedicate $40 from the grocery budget for more compost too. Afterall, we'll be eating from there..lol.

Anyway, enough rambling..lol. Thinking outloud.

**cissylu** · 04-29-2008, 01:44 PM

keep talking all you want. good for you.
I don`t can but am proud for any one that does.

**IntlMom** · 04-29-2008, 01:46 PM

good for you.....wish I knew how to can!

**mommy4ever** · 04-29-2008, 01:56 PM

Traci,

I don't know how..lol. Seen it done as a kid. I figure if I can read a recipe, read a guage, and tell time, I should be able to put my own stuff up.

**IntlMom** · 04-29-2008, 01:59 PM

it must be a generational thing.
I don't can (wish I knew how)
My mom doesn't can
Her mom didn;t
Her mom didn't

Ok, that's as far as I know

I did break a mold though. I'm the first one of the group to ever garden......well, at least try!

**mommy4ever** · 04-29-2008, 02:04 PM

I come from farmers. My granma raised 17 kids in a 2bedroom farmhouse. She worked hard. Mom didn't farm but gardened extensively.

I have attempted many gardens, but with so many things pulling me this way and that, I've yet to have a great one..lol. I keep trying. I get my $10 from the garden every year, I use rain water to water, the dirt is there, the compost is house and yard scraps. So it only costs me seeds. So I figure if we at least get our seed money's worth of food, we're doing good..lol. No money lost. THe kids love it, so it's all good.

**justpeachy92** · 04-29-2008, 02:04 PM

You may be able to find a canner at a garage sale. I have seen several at sales around here, usually at estate sales after an elderly person has passed on.

**mommy4ever** · 04-29-2008, 02:06 PM

Just peachy,

I've thought of that, but am hesitant, with somethat that goes under pressure... I want to be sure I have all the instructions. And in truth I've been looking 2 years, this would make the 3rd and I've never seen one at a garage sale around here.

**forHISglory** · 04-29-2008, 02:27 PM

After you get your canner, go to your county extension center and they will show you how to can and give you information on it. Most counties in the US have these centers; look in your phone book. These centers are the ones that moderate 4-H clubs, and have materials for teaching the 4-H kids how to can. Another idea is to get an older woman to be your mentor and help you learn to can. If you go to church, perhaps an older woman there can help you. I have an older woman in my church mentor me with my sewing, and we both enjoy it immensely.

And yes, be careful of buying a used canner. They can be dangerous if used improperly.

**Frugal Cook** · 04-29-2008, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by mommy4ever

Jbut am hesitant, with somethat that goes under pressure... I want to be sure I have all the instructions.

Pressure Canners have changed in recent years so they are much safer than they used to be during my grandmother's generation.

Keep in mind that you will also want a "Boiling Water Bath" canner since not everything requires the steam pressure bath.

Canning is quite rewarding and easy, but it does demand "respect." Make sure you buy and read the Ball Blue Book of Preserving.

**mommy4ever** · 04-29-2008, 02:31 PM

I already do the waterbath. I make jams and jellies etc. but I want to step it up.

New technology is why I'm wanting to go new. I'm positive it'll pay for itself.

**brenda67** · 04-29-2008, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by mommy4ever

I already do the waterbath. I make jams and jellies etc. but I want to step it up.

New technology is why I'm wanting to go new. I'm positive it'll pay for itself.

Are they really that expensive? It is a pressure canner your talking about right? Could you show me where to go online to see what it looks like? TIA..

**StaceyS** · 04-29-2008, 03:14 PM

That's a great idea! I use mine all the time. I just have a small one since I just can single servings for me, but it's a great investment! In fact, I am canning a load of 1/2 pints of black beans tonight. I did pintos and white beans a while back and really like being able to just grab one and stick it in my lunch bag.
I think you'll be able to get one cheaper than you think. I used to have a HUGE one and it cost less than $120.
Good luck!

**mommy4ever** · 04-29-2008, 03:15 PM

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ALL-AMERICAN-21-5...713.m153.l1262

A couple hunderd dollars, not horrendously expensive, but still an investment.

**mommy4ever** · 04-29-2008, 03:18 PM

Stacey,

I'm actually looking at getting a mid size one. Big enough to do family, my mom has a massive one. I don't plan on days on end of canning, like mom did. But the small one does only 4 quarts which might be too small..lol. Depends what ends up on sale aroundhere I guess.