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My home canning supplies list

I am in the midst of the canning season, and while  I was looking through my canning cupboard I realized just how much I have collected over the years. Most of my canning supplies came from second-hand stores, yard sales or passed down. I enjoy canning so much I would be lost without some of my tried and trusted supplies. I remember the first-couple years of canning I had to borrow everything from my mother, but over the years I have added to my collection and now have everything I need.

I was very fortunate to grow up watching my Mom can, so I had a good idea what I needed. I was digging through all my supplies I got to thinking that beginner canners may be at a loss to know what they need so I took an inventory of everything I had and compiled a basic canning supply list.

If you are new to canning don’t feel you have to go out and buy everything new. Watch for yard sales and pick up one piece at a time, or better yet go in and share supplies with a friend. Most of these canning tools are only used a few times a year so they are perfect for sharing. When I was younger I had a friend that I would can with. Our kids were all the same age so we would plan a day where they could play together and we spent the day in the kitchen. I have very fond memories of those canning parties and would highly suggest new canners to look for canning partners.

Many of the big box stores carry home canning supplies so you can just about find them anywhere.  I found everything on my list at Amazon just so I could show you a picture of each item, but shop around and don’t be shy about asking seasoned canners if they have supplies they no longer use.  Many of my canning tools came from older people who no longer had large families to feed.

home canning supplies

Here is a list of everything in my canning cupboard:

 canning kettle Steel/Porcelain Water-Bath Canner with Rack, 21.5-Quart – I have two canners that get a work out from May – September every year. I can so much that it helps speed up the process by having both of them going at once. This canner holds 7 one-quart jars, 9 one-pint jars or 13 half-pint jars.
 canning set 7 Piece Home Canning Set
It is the little things that make canning easy and this canning set provides the essentials needed for canning at home. Steel canning rack holds 7 pint- or quart-size jars; sterilizing rack holds 12 lids. Also includes 2 stainless-steel funnels, magnetic lid wand, jar lifter, and cheesecloth.
 home canning book Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
I do not know what I would do without my canning book.  I have been canning for years and always refer to my book just to refresh my memory each time I start a canning job. Ball Home Canning Products are the gold standard in home preserving supplies and the experts at Ball have written a book destined to become the “bible” of home preserving.
 fruit strainer Food Strainer and Sauce Maker
Canning tomato sauce is a big job every year, and I could not do it without my food strainer.  This sturdy one-piece heat resistant hopper, stainless steel screen won’t rust and resists wear. A must for sauce canners!
 vintage ball jars Ball Jar Heritage Collection Pint Jars with Lids and BandsI added these vintage jars just because I love them! Any canning jar will work but I just love this vintage color and ordered some for myself just because I like to make canning fun! This new vintage blue color comes with embossed logos and a brushed silver lid.
 wide mouth jars Ball Wide Mouth Quart Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 12
Ideal for preserving jams, jellies, sauces, fruit and anything else makes its way to your kitchen. These time-tested sealing compound helps ensure a quality seal with each lid.
 ball jelly jars Ball 8-Ounce Quilted Crystal Jelly Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 1
Ideal for preserving jams and jellies. I use this size for my fig butter every year. Custom time tested ceiling compound help ensure a quality seal with each lid.
 tattler lids Tattler Reusable Wide Mouth Canning Lids & Rubber Rings – 12/pkg
BPA Free! Indefinitely Reusable.  I have been using these reusable lids for three years now and other than the lids that come with the ball jar sets I have not bought a normal disposable lid in years.  I can see where I have saved money over the years by using Tattler Lids.
 food mill Grips Food Mill
I cannot can enough applesauce to last all year and couldn’t do it without my food mill.  It makes processing warm apples into the sauce a super easy job! This food mill includes 3 stainless-steel discs for preparing foods of fine, medium, and coarse textures.
 jelly bags Canning Accessories Jelly Strainer Bags
We make a lot of blackberry jam in my kitchen and these jelly bags make straining out those blackberry seeds super easy. This strainer bag has an elastic band around frame opening. Ideal for soups, sauces, jams, and jelly making.
 canning ladel Stainless Steel Canning Ladle
A  must for every canner! Dual spouts pour from either side. 3/4 cup with 11-1/2-inch handle. Take the mess out of putting food where you want it to be. Dual spouts pour from either side.
 pickle crisp Ball Pickle Crisp 5.5 oz. Jar
I wish I could say I have good luck with making pickles crispy, but I just have never had good luck with making them crispy, so I rely on Ball’s Pickle Crisp to help me. One jar makes 80 quarts of pickles. Easy to use measure and add to jar.
 fruit pectin Ball RealFruitTM Classic Pectin I love that they now have a reduced sugar recipe for healthier jam. It has been reformulated for improved flavor and performance. Capture the freshness and flavor of handpicked fruit anytime. Up to 22 half-pint jars per package.
 pressure canner 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
The only method recommended safe by the US Department of Agriculture for canning vegetables, meats, poultry, and seafood. Doubles as a boiling-water canner for preserving fruits, jams, jellies, pickles, and salsa; Handy as a large capacity pressure cooker. I have to admit when I first using a pressure canner I was nervous, but ever since I started to can meat it is a must and I could not preserve without it now. For a step-by-step tutorial on using a pressure canner please visit The Homesteading Hippy.

Have I missed anything?  Please share with me your favorite canning tool!

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