pressure canning for dummies um, I mean noobies question(s)

[Rebecka]

I have one thing to add.. Steam burns suck a lot! When opening your canner, always turn it up so the top faces you. Its pretty amazing how fast you can get burned. btw, it wasn't me. But I think we have all known someone with the less savory side of canning.

 

[VickiLynn]

I haven't tried my pressure canner yet, but reading this made me think of another question. Do you change the water in the canner with each load?

 

[freemotion]

Yes, as you need to have the right amount and sometimes liquid from the jars boils out, and some liquid boils away when venting steam from the canner.

 

[big brown horse]

One pint of my zucchini has about 3 inches of headspace. I assume the liquid boiled out, no big deal. Can I still eat them?

Also if the liquid doesn't cover all the food is that a problem?

Beans are next...anything I need to know? (Lacto fermented black beans.)

Last, do you prefer cold packed meats or hot packed meats in liquid?

Thank you!!

 

[big brown horse]

VL, it was easy to use and doesn't use as much water per processing as I thought.

Also I was surprised that I kept the burner on a low simmer almost the whole time.

 

[freemotion]

Beans are very easy, especially unflavored ones. I can up a three-pound batch at a time, at least. I lactoferment mine for 24 hours. These are used for cake, bean paste (if I want some without waiting for it to ferment), refried beans, as a quick ingredient in whatever, etc.

I also make classic Boston baked beans for dh and the folks, and a multi-bean soup with ham bits. Both are a big hit and an easy one-jar convenience meal. Oh, and of course, chili with meat and beans.

As far as meats, cold vs hot pack methods, the difference to me is the time it takes to heat the canner up enough to vent steam for ten minutes. Hot pack will make this happen much more quickly, so you can actually shorten your time babysitting the canner if you hot pack. But it really seems like six of one, half dozen of the other to me. I mostly cold pack.

 

[big brown horse]

Ok, thank you!

Now about how many pints/quarts does 3 lbs of beans fill? I may as well do them all at once. (I think I need to buy a few more cases of jars. )

 

[freemotion]

Give me a second while I run downstairs to check my canning notebook...

 

[big brown horse]

NERD!



eta: I need a canner's notebook!!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

. (I think I need to buy a few more cases of jars. lol)

its official. once you utter these words there is no turning back!

i'm being lured into the bean-canning thing too. the beans we got from the neighbor are awesome and wow - what a fast meal. it finally occurred to me that i can CAN some beans for refried at a fraction of the price.

for heavens sakes. its like when i found out that corn meal is just ground corn. a light bulb moment for sure.

sheesh!