How to Can Food

If you can boil water, you are able to can food – it’s as easy that! Turn this season’s produce into pickles, jams, jellies, marmalades, and curds for good holiday gifts or tasty treat for your family. Learn how to can food and master this delicious tradition.

First things first. Just like washing your hands and produce is important in cooking, so is sterilizing your jars.

1. Check jars for cracks and chips.
2. Wash jars in warm, soapy water. Dry.
3. Place canning rack at the bottom of the pan.
4. Carefully place jars inside the pan.
5. Fill pan with cool water until it reaches just above the top of the jars.
6. Bring to boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.
7. Fill a saucepan with about 1 inch of water.
8. Add your lids, screwbands, and rubber seals, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes
9. After you’ve let the water cool slightly, use jar lifter to lift the cans out of the warm bath, dumping out the water in the process.
10. Place onto a room temperature clean cloth or paper towel.
11. Using your lid lifter, remove the items in the sauce pans and put onto a clean cloth or paper towel.

Watch How To Sterilize Your Kilner Jars:

Products needed:

Next comes filling and sealing your jars.

1.  Place funnel over the jar. Use ladle to scoop out jam into the jar.
2. Remove funnel.
3. Get rid of excess air bubbles. Use a metallic spatula to trace the inside of the jar.
4. Remove jam debris from the top of the jam jar.
5. Follow the correct steps on how to add your lid, based on the top of the jar. Remember to use your lid lifter as much as possible to avoid contamination.
6. Next is processing to remove excess air and eliminate bacteria by creating a pressure seal.
7. Place canning rack at the bottom of the pan. (Jam Pan)
8. Carefully place jars inside the pan.
9. Fill pan with cool water until it reaches just above the top of the jars.
10. Bring to boil and simmer for about 30 minutes.
11. After 30 minutes, turn the heat off and allow to cool.
12. Use the jar lifter to remove jars. Place at room temperature.
13. Leave your jars to cool for 24 hours.
14. Based on the type of jar, check to see if your pressure seal formed.
15. Now you can store your food for 4-6 months in a cool, dry place.

Watch How To Fill & Seal Your Kilner Jars: