Which Is The Safest Home Canner To Use?

Pressure canning, water bath canning, and steam canning are all safe and effective methods which are used to preserve home-grown and/or home-made foods. But which is the safest home canner to use? Well, it depends. Each method is safe, but for different types of foods. Which canner is the safest to use depends on the acidity of the food which is being processed. Let’s compare all three canning methods:

Pressure Canning

A pressure canner is the safest canner to use for:

• Low-Acid Foods: Pressure canners are used to process foods with a pH above 4.6, such as vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood, and some mixed foods. **NOTE** Any recipe with any type of meat as an ingredient MUST be pressure canned. NO EXCEPTIONS!!

Equipment needed:

• Pressure Canner: A pressure canner is a heavy-duty, vented pot with a locking lid. It is fitted with a pressure gauge (dial or weighted), and a rack for jars. Pressure canners reach temperatures above 240°F (116°C).

Pressure canning process:

1. Fill clean jars with food
2. Fit the jars with lids and bands.
3. Place jars in the pressure canner with the amount of water recommended by the canner manufacturer.
4. Seal the canner and vent steam for 10 minutes to remove air.
5. Bring the canner to the required pressure and maintain it for the recommended processing time (as stated in your recipe).
6. Allow the canner to cool and depressurize naturally before removing the lid and jars.
7. Using a jar lifter, remove jars and place them on a towel to cool, undisturbed, for 12-24 hours

Safety:

• High Temperature: Ensures all bacteria, including botulism spores, are destroyed.
• Complexity: Requires careful monitoring of pressure and time, as well as altitude adjustments.

Water Bath Canning

A water bath canner is the safest canner to use for:

• High-Acid Foods: Water bath canners are suitable for processing foods with a pH of 4.6 or lower, such as fruits, jams, jellies, pickles, and tomatoes (with added acid).

Equipment:

• Water Bath Canner: A large pot with a lid, deep enough to cover jars by at least 1-2 inches of boiling water. Requires a rack (usually included) for jars to keep them off of the bottom of the pan and for easy removal of the jars after processing.

Process:

1. Fill jars with food
2. Fit the jars with lids and bands.
3. Place jars in the canner and cover with 1-2 inches of water.
4. Bring the water to a rolling boil and process for the time specified in the recipe.
5. Using a jar lifter, remove jars and place them on a towel to cool, undisturbed, for 12-24 hours.

Safety:

• Boiling Water: Adequate for destroying harmful organisms in high-acid foods.
• Simplicity: Water bath canning is easier and requires less equipment than pressure canning, but uses several gallons of water. Water bath canning is NOT suitable for low-acid foods! **NOTE** Any recipe with any type of meat as an ingredient MUST be pressure canned!

Steam Canning

A steam canner is the safest canner to use for:

• High-Acid Foods: Like water bath canning, steam canners are used for processing high-acid foods such as fruits, jams, jellies, and pickles.

Equipment:

• Steam Canner: A steam canner is a specially made pot with a shallow base, a rack for jars, and a high dome lid that traps steam. It usually has a dial type pressure gauge on top to monitor the temperature of the steam.

Process:

1. Fill jars with food
2. Fit the jars with lids and bands.
3. Add water to the base of the steam canner (just enough to cover the rack) and preheat.
4. Place jars on the rack inside the canner and cover with the dome lid.
5. Heat until a steady column of steam escapes from the vent holes (or the pressure gauge is in the acceptable range) and start timing the processing.
6. Ensure steam continues throughout the processing time.
7. Using a jar lifter, remove jars and place them on a towel to cool, undisturbed, for 12-24 hours.

Safety:

• Steam: Steam canners are effective for high-acid foods, reaching the same temperatures as water bath canners. Steam canners only require a few cups of water.
• Efficiency: Uses less water and energy than water bath canning, but requires monitoring to maintain steam.

Comparison and Summary

1. Suitable Foods:
   • Pressure Canning: Low-acid foods (vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood).
   • Water Bath Canning: High-acid foods (fruits, jams, jellies, pickles).
   • Steam Canning: High-acid foods (similar to water bath canning).
2. Temperature and Pressure:
   • Pressure Canning: High temperature (240°F or above) and pressure.
   • Water Bath Canning: Boiling water (212°F).
   • Steam Canning: Steam (212°F).
3. Equipment:
   • Pressure Canning: Requires a pressure canner.
   • Water Bath Canning: Requires a large pot or water bath canner.
   • Steam Canning: Requires a steam canner.
4. Processing Time and Efficiency:
   • Pressure Canning: Longer processing times and more complex, but essential for low-acid foods.
   • Water Bath Canning: Simpler, longer boiling times, and more water usage.
   • Steam Canning: Shorter processing times, less water usage, and faster heating.

As you can see, the safest home canner to use varies. The safest home canner to use is the one that is appropriate for the acidity level of the food you want to process! By choosing the appropriate method for the type of food you are preserving, you can ensure safety, quality, and efficiency in your home canning efforts. For more information on safe canning practices, visit the National Center for Food Preservation.

Click here for interesting facts on the history of home canning,