Should I buy a pressure canner?

[DrakeMaiden]

I saw them on sale and have sort of, kind of, wanted one for a while now. The thing is . . . I typically only can tomatoes and berries, all of which do just fine with water bath canning.

So, what do you can in your pressure canner that makes it indispensible to you?

 

[Ldychef2k]

Canning meats does it for me. Occasionally chicken goes on sale at just over 50 cents a pound and I cook and can it.

I think it is worth the expense of the canner (23 quart) to be able to save money in the long run. I also do chili, stews, soups, etc., which contain meat. Others probably have no problem at all with water bath on many things, but I am a beginner.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Yes, I was thinking it would be nice to have the pressure canner for meat.

 

[punkin]

I suppose it really depends on what you want to preserve. Although, a pressure canner will definitely give you more options.

I'm planning on doing beef stew this year.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Yeah, I guess I'm wondering what maybe I could be canning that I am not considering canning, so hearing what you all are canning with yours just gives me ideas.

 

[patandchickens]

Depends whether you have spare $ and storage space. I've asked myself the same question a coupla times a year for the last, I dunno, 20 years or so. Personally I've got enough large pots that are hard to store, and enough other things that are higher priority to buy usefulnesswise, that so far the answer has been that realistically it did not seem like a very practical buy. However, I am now waiting for the particular one I want to go on sale, which if memory serves it probably will in the next month or so, at which point I think I will break down and buy it.

My other significant reservation is (and has always been) the steaming-up-the-house factor; freezing produce and meat may have its own particular downsides but making an already hot humid kitchen even hotter and humid-er *isn't* one of them

For me, the main rationale for getting one is to be able to put up jars of stews, soups and non-plain-tomato sauces. I wouldn't mind being able to can corn or a few other things too, but meals (and sauces) ready to eat sitting on jars in the basement is the major appeal I will probably *try* canning some of my chicken, see how it goes, but dunno how much or little plain meat/poultry I'd really do in the long run.

Good luck whichever way you decide,

Pat

 

[user251]

my thought is, if you dont have a pressure canner then you are limited to only high acid foods. so why limit yourself you can get old canners on ebay, craigslist etc. although they are getting harder to find these days.

 

[FarmerDenise]

I don't have a pressure canner, but am looking to get one.
I want one, so I can can green beans, tomatoes with zucchini, stewed tomatoes, corn, dog and cat food, fish and meat, soups & stock as I make it, etc.
I prefer to store my food in such a way as not to be dependent on a power source. We also do not have a deep freeze and rely on two refridgerators for food storage. I don't like having to worry about food loss when the power goes out. In the winter months we like to be able to turn off the "outside fridge".

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Thank you Pat, for your well-deliberated resonse. I have to say that I agree that storage of another appliance is a major concern. I guess I will give more thought to whether or not I think it will pay for itself over the long-haul.

Thanks, firem3, I hadn't considered looking on craigslist. Duh!

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I prefer to store my food in such a way as not to be dependent on a power source.

Yes, I agree, that is why I was considering canning meat. We have had some long power outages in the past. Also, thanks for listing what you plan to can when you get one.