canning or freezing veggies

**Russ** · 05-23-2008, 09:07 AM

Wife and I are discussing the cost effectiveness of canning and/or freezing veggies.
We have all the jars and pressure canner so please leave the cost of that out, the "better for you" argument out and the "satisfaction" argument out.

Bottom line.. Is it cost effective to can or freeze veggies?

thank you!

**Ceashels** · 05-23-2008, 09:10 AM

interesting.....

If we are leaving out the cost of materials, the better for you or not aspect, and the "satisfaction" aspect, what cost effectiveness are you looking for? Time? Shelf life?

**Ceashels** · 05-23-2008, 09:17 AM

darn, couldn't get back in to edit.

I guess the cost would be for the beans themselves. Cost of frozen beans you can get at the store, cost of canned beans, cost of fresh. This would need to be compared to in season and out of season prices. Are you growing your own? Or getting them elsewhere?

**Russ** · 05-23-2008, 09:26 AM

my own crop. we were talking about the cost of propane and electricity, fertilizer, etc... to raise and can the crop.

**Holly** · 05-23-2008, 09:27 AM

Then your answer is yes.
They are better for you, have great shelf life and no preservatives.
JMHO

**Ceashels** · 05-23-2008, 09:39 AM

I think it would be more cost effective to can the beans. Even though you have an initial cost of propane you have a stable shelf life that is longer. And even though your electricity cost is small (I'm assuming the freezer has other things stored in it as well), you are left with a shorter freezer life and the possibility that the electricity could go out and you have a freezer full of things that could potentially be lost.

My vote is for canning as the more cost effective method.

**Russ** · 05-23-2008, 09:47 AM

ok, lets say you can get a deal in late summer for a case of green beans at 45 cents per can or whatever the price is.
Can you grow and can cheaper than 45 cents per can?

**Greebo** · 05-23-2008, 09:53 AM

Why are you using a hypothetical sale price to determine cost effectiveness?

**Ceashels** · 05-23-2008, 09:57 AM

Yes, I think you can.

Are you using 45 cents worth of fertilizer and propane per can? You would be canning more than one jar at a time. So you would have to spread the cost of propane out over 5-6 jars, depending on the size of the canner you have.

**Russ** · 05-23-2008, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Why are you using a hypothetical sale price to determine cost effectiveness?

Because that is the price I have gotten them for in the past. I have to have something to start with.

**Greebo** · 05-23-2008, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by rcannon

Because that is the price I have gotten them for in the past. I have to have something to start with.

But you're then banking on a price you may or may not be able to expect in the future.

Your CBA (cost-benefit-analysis) will be more valid if you use the average price of beans in season, and factor in the inflationary rate of food due to fuel costs.

Don't forget also to factor in the value of your own, personal time. How many hours of effort will it take to till, prepare, plant, tend, weed, harvest, chop, blanche, and can the beans? For that matter, how much money have you not earned by spending time pondering the fate of a $0.45 can of beans?

If you can earn more money or save more money doing something more productive, and you expect to be able to buy a can for $0.45 in a few months, buy 3 or 4 cases when they're on sale and find something where more money or more savings can be achieved for your time.

**Ceashels** · 05-23-2008, 10:08 AM

I guess what it comes down to is you figuring out how much it costs for the propane and the fertilizer. Whether you factor in your cost for time/farming is up to you. Once you know how much a jar of home grown and canned beans are you will be able to price compare with what is on the shelves at the store.

**Russ** · 05-23-2008, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

But you're then banking on a price you may or may not be able to expect in the future.

Your CBA (cost-benefit-analysis) will be more valid if you use the average price of beans in season, and factor in the inflationary rate of food due to fuel costs.

I would buy mid/end of summer when local stores have specials on whole cases. Happens every year.

Originally Posted by Greebo

Don't forget also to factor in the value of your own, personal time. How many hours of effort will it take to till, prepare, plant, tend, weed, harvest, chop, blanche, and can the beans?

Gardening is a hobby. Got to do something for piece of mind. No tilling, all raised beds.

Originally Posted by Greebo

For that matter, how much money have you not earned by spending time pondering the fate of a $0.45 can of beans?

I'm salary. work or not I get paid. No sick days in 3.5 years.

Originally Posted by Greebo

If you can earn more money or save more money doing something more productive, and you expect to be able to buy a can for $0.45 in a few months, buy 3 or 4 cases when they're on sale and find something where more money or more savings can be achieved for your time.

If not for occasional emergency overtime I would get a part time job.

**Russ** · 05-23-2008, 10:14 AM

And here I thought this was gonna be a simple question.

**Greebo** · 05-23-2008, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by rcannon

I would buy mid/end of summer when local stores have specials on whole cases. Happens every year.

You know the saying: Past performance is no guarantee of future events. Fuel's up 100% from last year - NOTHING is going to be as cheap as it was.

Gardening is a hobby. Got to do something for piece of mind. No tilling, all raised beds.

Ok, so you'll be gardening anyway, so net cost 0 to you there, right?

I'm salary. work or not I get paid. No sick days in 3.5 years.

Not sure I see how that ties into my point - but you already addressed that with the hobby aspect.

So since you're going to garden anyway, and you have the equipment, and your time is salaried (sorry - indentured servitude sucks) - what you're saying is it boils down to whether a can of beans for $0.45 is cheaper than the same quantity of beans grown from a packet of seeds.

So whats a packet of seeds cost, and how many jars can you get out of it?