Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
12:57 am
May 5, 2010
Online
I like the logic of the 10 minute BWB minimum … and I can't imagine taking on dandelion or rose petal jelly anywhere in the near future (all that beheading, lol!). Rose Hip Jelly maybe as the flavor is wonderful!… and that's a sturdy flavor that would stand up to heat. Too many things to try, never enough time …… and I'm happily relieved that sterilizing is not carved in stone. Thanks dede!
11:40 pm
December 14, 2010
Offline
I recently found a jar brush that bears a strong resemblance to a toilet bowl brush but it works very well on canning jars. I inspect my jars as I get them from storage and if they aren't crystal clear I wash them again. Almost everything I do is pressure canned so clean is good enough for me. Jellies and the like are usually put up in jars too small for the flimsy rack that comes with a canner so I make do with out the rack and just use a cooling rack on the bottom.
7:59 am
December 14, 2010
Offline
Sometimes jars of food from the store are mason jars. Classico pasta sauce is one. Often the adhesive residue is insoluble in water. I find the GoJo brand waterless hand cleaner will dissolve the adhesive and allow it to wash off with an hour or two of soaking. Just spread a thick coat and leave it for a time in an empty sink. The GoJo will liquify and leave a puddle under the jar.
1:31 pm
June 1, 2011
Offline
Pete,
I have height/wrist & hand problems. Can you post pics of your 2-step process to get food/jars into/out of the canner?
Another reason I don't "can," although I do make marmalade (2 pints at a time, and it's stored in the frig) and dark applesauce (apple butter without the spices, I've been told it's apple sauce by others). I boil the bottles/lids and utensils of course and have used a jar lifter. However, the last time I used the jar lifter, I wound up with food all over my kitchen floor, as my arm "let go" at the worst possible time!
So, I'm interested in alternatives!
Thanks in advance –
Judi
3:27 pm
September 2, 2008
Offline
Judi,
When I take jars out of the canner, I use my jar lifter and a plate. Having dropped a jar or 2 it dawned on my to use a plate or saucer under the hot jar. I put my hot jars on the dining room table for cool down, and have 2 little dogs underfoot, so dropping hot food is not acceptable. Takes longer to empty the canner, but I need the exercise anyway!
2:08 pm
October 14, 2010
Offline
Jeannie,
I have also used a folded up towel under the jars. I to have dogs too and just in case they moved it was protection from the hot water dripping. It also supports the jar without any heat. I find sometimes plates heat up if I set a jar on them. 
8:05 pm
December 14, 2010
Offline
I have heavy/thick insulated PVC gloves that I use around the PC. I can dip into boiling water and lift a jar. One hand on top and one underneath and I can cross the room.
10:31 am
September 2, 2008
Offline
Gloves are not my thing, I can not work with them on, I have many garden gloves and even a silicone glove for my slicer. Just can't use them, very short fat fingers!
10:48 am
February 22, 2010
Offline
I know what you mean JeannieB…I have lots of work gloves that just sit in a drawer…short fat fingers!
I have a work space right beside my stove so it isn't too hard to lift the jars out and sit them down. (I just use my jar lifter)I have room there to put abt. 21 qt. so no problem for the jars to sit there for a day and then I put them in the pantry or the back bedroom …I have no cellar or basement
Some days it is hard for me to even use the jar lifter …other days I don't have an ache or pain arthritis is very unpredictable…except I always know when the weather is about to change!
3:29 pm
June 18, 2011
Offline
Somewhere here someone commented on their blue granite canner having rusted through holes. I have my Grandma's original canner and still use it. When she was done for the canning season, she would scrub the inside of her canner with an SOS pad and then dry thorougly by heating it empty on top of the stove for a few minutes. I will be using Grandma's canner for years to come!
12:02 pm
November 2, 2011
Offline
I a having issues with the inside of my canner rusting as well as the rack that lifts in and out. It is only two years old, but I have used it a lot in those two years. Any ideas how to clean the rust out? My husband suggested CLR, which is advertised on tv and per the commercials it is safe to clean out your coffee pot with.
I am new to this site and just love all of the blogs and posts!
12:25 pm
February 10, 2009
Offline
Well, I don't see why CLR wouldn't be safe, and it may work, but mostly I think it depends on your water and the humidity of your climate and/or wherever you store the canner in between uses.
Having lived just outside of Denver for several years, I know you aren't in a humid climate (to say the least) so I don't think it's general humidity being a problem for you, it may be for others though which is why I mentioned it.
Also, not all canners are created equal. Some older, or even better quality modern canners do much better than others too.
We used to have a different well that left almost no lime or residue on anything, and rarely had any problem, I don't know if the mineral lines left on pans sometimes with our current well water attracts moisture or else if it may cause some reaction on pans, but that seems to be a problem for me (plus I hate the marks, which seem to happen no matter how clean I think I got things).
I live in Ohio which has some humid summers, and with keeping the canner in the basement, yep, it gets some rust in it. The racks particularly get nasty! Floramart has some good points about cleaning it very well when not in use, and making sure it's totally dry too.
Hope all that helps! At least you know you're not alone Tracy. I guess up to a point since it doesn't actually touch any food, it's not the end of the world if you only use it for canning.
12:29 pm
December 14, 2010
Offline
Don't store the rack inside the canner unless you KNOW that they are both perfectly dry. Don't even leave them together until you have time to wash them. Try baking soda first and scouring powder after that if you still need it. The steel used is not at all rust resistant it is the enamel that protects the pot. The rack may be chromium plated. Most often the rack rusts and stains the enamel.
12:34 pm
November 2, 2011
Offline
Thanks so much for the information. I had not thought about the tap water and the mineral content. I have a Ball canner….bought it as a kit with the lifters, etc. So, thought it would hold up under constant use. I wll try the CLR and see what happens, and try to make sure it is clean and dry after every use. Maybe that will keep the rust problem in check.
1:01 pm
December 14, 2010
Offline
The instructions with my new pressure canner calls for a splash of vinegar in the water when canning. I notice that when I forget to add the vinegar I get lime deposits on the jars and inside the pot.
5:25 pm
February 22, 2010
Offline
Ross said:
The instructions with my new pressure canner calls for a splash of vinegar in the water when canning. I notice that when I forget to add the vinegar I get lime deposits on the jars and inside the pot.
Well, Duh! I was just complaining about the lime I have to wash off my jam and jelly jars that I BWB. I always clean my coffee pot and teakettle with vinegar…why didn't I think of that with canning.
11:07 pm
February 8, 2009
Offline
you can also add cream of tartar to hot water to clean up aluminum pots including canners
dede
Most Users Ever Online: 120
Currently Online: Ruthmarie, judydee, sunprice, agtaglink
23 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
2 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
Leahld22: 2676
Ross: 1950
MaryB: 1777
JeannieB: 1477
Shells: 1184
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 13
Members: 5888
Moderators: 3
Admins: 4
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 14
Topics: 2994
Posts: 57778
Newest Members: christiewahlert, basketsldj, joycelorelle, Leah Beth, bwshook, Amy
Moderators: Pete (7965), wvhomecanner (3063), Flatlander (1555)
Administrators: Suzanne McMinn (7255), emiline220 (15), CindyP (7770), BuckeyeGirl (4362)
Sections
Latest Posts on the Farmhouse Blog:
- May 24, 2012 - Bread 911!
- May 23, 2012 - Get This Print!
- May 22, 2012 - Second Place Ribbon
Sign up for the Chickens in the Road Newsletter, too!
