r/Canning May 26 '26

Announcement Why We Don't Recommend Electric Canners (Mod Post)

295 Upvotes
  1. Electric pressure canners have not been verified safely by third party testing. What has been performed is only, “We are safe because we say we are safe,” type testing. The manufacturers claim to match USDA specs but no one has verified that information externally and the manufacturers will not release their results to anyone externally. The USDA symbol used in some promotional materials is not an actual USDA seal and does not indicate USDA approval. The equipment that's been used in the past by the USDA and NCHFP to determine the thermal profile inside canners doesn't even fit inside existing electric canners on the market. A new design would be needed, and currently there is no funding for developing this equipment.
  2. The users of electric pressure canners do not have the physical signs of the device coming to pressure (like a jiggling weight or a rising analog dial to ensure that the food is processing at the correct pressure.) The user must rely on an electronic display for accuracy. Even if a type of electric canner has an analog feature, there is no way of getting the electric canner device tested or calibrated to ensure it is accurate or working correctly. (We should mention that electric WATER BATH canners are fine to use because the user can physically see the water coming to a boil.)
  3. Perhaps most importantly, all current approved pressure canning recipes rely on the heat up and cool down times relative to stove top pressure canners loaded with a minimum of two quarts of product. These heat up and cool down times are factored into the safety of all current safe recipes. Changing and/or reducing these times can affect the safety of your finished product.

Until ALL THREE of these reasons can be appropriately addressed, we as a sub do not endorse or condone the use of electric pressure canners.


r/Canning Oct 19 '25

Announcement Why don't we recommend pH testing for home canning? [Mod Post]

71 Upvotes

Hello Everyone!

As a mod team we've noticed a lot of questions and confusion about pH testing home canned foods recently so we're here today to give a more in depth explanation of why it's not recommended.

As I'm sure you all know, there are tons and tons of misconceptions about home canning and what we can and cannot do safely. One of the most common misconceptions is that if we pH test a food and it shows a pH below 4.6 it can be canned as a high acid food. There are two reasons why this isn't true.

  1. pH is not the only safety factor for home canning
  2. The options for pH testing at home are not necessarily the same as what's available in a lab setting.

Although pH is an important factor in home canning safely it is not the only factor. Characteristics like heat penetration, density, and homogeneity also play a role.

There are two types of pH test equipment; pH test strips and pH meters. pH test strips are not very accurate most of the time, they're just strips of paper with a chemical that changes color based on pH imbued in it. These strips expire over time and the color change is the only indicator which makes reading them rather subjective and likely inaccurate.

There are two levels of pH meters; home pH meters and laboratory grade pH meters. Home pH meters aren’t particularly expensive but they are often not accurate or precise at that price point. Laboratory grade pH meters are expensive, think hundreds to thousands of dollars for a good one. Many pH meters on sites like Amazon will claim that they are “laboratory grade” but they really aren’t. pH meters also need to be properly maintained and calibrated to ensure accuracy using calibration solutions which are also expensive. 

The bottom line is that most people do not have access to the lab grade equipment and training that would be required to make sure that something is safe so the blanket recommendation is that pH testing not be used in home canning applications.

Recipes that have undergone laboratory testing (what we generally refer to as "tested recipes" on this subreddit) have been tested to ensure that the acidity level is appropriate for the canning method listed in the recipe. pH testing does not enhance the safety of an already tested recipe.

Because pH testing is not recommended for home use we do not allow recommendations for it on our subreddit.

Sources:
https://ucanr.edu/blog/preservation-notes-san-joaquin-master-food-preservers/article/help-desk-question-home-ph

https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/oklahoma-gardening/recipes/ph-and-home-canning.html


r/Canning 2h ago

Is this safe to eat? Pressure canned corn.

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25 Upvotes

Hello I was wondering if this looks ok/safe to use for long term storage. We had leftover corn and decided to pressure can it.

Used the pressure canner recipie book and seals are still strong on all the jars. It just looks like all the water just disappeared inside.


r/Canning 14m ago

Refrigerator/Freezer Jams/Jellies Freezer jalapeño blackberry jam

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Upvotes

After my last post, the advice given, and some more research, I made some jalapeño blackberry jam. It's currently sitting on a towel for the required 24 hours to set up before it goes in the fridge/freezer.

Tasting off the spoon, it's pretty good. Mostly blackberry with a hint of heat. I won't know until it's ready, but I suspect I might not really care for the "raw" texture of the jalapeños. If I make it again, I'll probably try cooking the jalapeños some (with part of the water used to cook down the blackberries).

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to/required to post the recipe I used. More than happy to!

From my understanding, freezer jams don't really have to follow the same "safe" guidelines that shelf stable canned goods do. If I'm wrong on that, please give some guidance.

I really appreciate all the good this community does. I've grown so much in my canning (or freezing/preserving) journey. Thank you all so much!


r/Canning 26m ago

Understanding Recipe Help Pomona’s Pectin Question

Upvotes

I can’t seem to find a straight answer to this question. I was making the blackberry jam recipe on Healthy Canning, which they took from the Pomona’s Pectin website. I was using honey as a sweetener as directed in the recipe. Both of them mention to add the pectin powder to the liquid sweetener and stir it in. It clumped up like crazy. Neither recipe indicated that the liquid you stir the pectin in needed to be boiling. However, the Pomona’s pectin website mentions in several places adding the pectin to “boiling water.”

Can someone explain this to me like I’m 5? Could I have used the clumpy pectin? Do I need to boil the honey to dissolve it into? I’m so confused.


r/Canning 6h ago

Safe Recipe Request Dill pickle slices no sugar?

2 Upvotes

It’s been a few years since I’ve canned pickle slices because I had jars enough to last me a few years. I really like the flavor on the pickles I’ve made previously. However, I’m not sure the recipe I used was safe and I have no idea where I even got it from. The ball canning book and Penn state recipes for canning both call for sugar in the dill pickles. I’m curious if the sugar is needed for safe canning or if there are safe recipes that don’t use it? Like I said I like the taste of the one I’ve used but wanted to make sure I’m using safe recipes. I was worried the addition of sugar would alter the flavor. Here is the recipe I was using for context:

Brine:
4C water
2C vinegar
1/2C canning salt

Then add to pint jars: fresh dill, 1/8tsp dill seed, 1/4tsp peppercorns, 1 clove garlic.

Editing to add: I’m looking for a shelf stable recipe for water bath canning. I have a lot of garden cucumbers I grew for canning. I’m not looking for refrigerator pickle recipes. Thank you!!


r/Canning 14h ago

Is this safe to eat? Strawberry jam...

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7 Upvotes

More like... WAS this safe to eat?

I've canned jam yearly for 3 or 4 years now without issue- always freeze a couple. This had been a frozen jar. Lid was still secure. No mold, smelled good, no bubbles.

Been experiencing gastro issues and a medium lack of appetite on and off for a week now. Toast and jam has been my go-to.....

Finished the jam this afternoon. Had a wild episode this evening. Put the jar to soak WITHOUT SOAP, just hot water... and later when walking by the sink, saw this (photo).

Fml???


r/Canning 2h ago

Understanding Recipe Help Is this recipe safe if I don't pass the cherries through a mill?

1 Upvotes

r/Canning 2h ago

General Discussion Salsa verde has bubbles?

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1 Upvotes

I hope i chose the right flair. But yesterday I followed an online recipe and waterbath canned per the instructions and adjusted time to my elevation. They have good seals but I went to label them and I noticed soooooo many bubbles. Do I need to open and reprocess them or are they safe?


r/Canning 9h ago

General Discussion what savory pickled zucchini recipes actually work when you're drowning in it?

3 Upvotes

Every year I tell myself I will plant fewer zucchini and every year I fail completely. Right now I have two grocery bags worth sitting on the counter and more coming in daily.

I have been doing relish and it moves fast enough as gifts but I am running out of people to give jars to. Pickled zucchini spears have been sitting in the back of my head as an option. I have done cucumber pickles plenty of times and I figure the process translates pretty cleanly, but I have never actually done it with zucchini so I want to hear from people who have before I commit to a big batch.

The other thing I keep circling back to is salsa verde style with tomatillos since I have those coming in too right now. I found a tested recipe but it calls for way more tomatillo than zucchini so it barely makes a dent in the pile.

Curious what people actually reach for when they are drowning in it. Not looking for bread and butter style, already have a solid recipe for that, more interested in savory or spiced directions people have had luck with.


r/Canning 17h ago

Safe Recipe Request Unique peach ideas?

8 Upvotes

I have a ton of peaches to can but am wondering if I can do fun things besides the usual. I plan on canning some in syrup, but I have a ton of peach pie filling, peach jam, peach butter, honey peaches etc already. We did not care for pickled peaches when we tried them before. I was looking at a peach pepper jam to try but thought I’d see what other unique (and safe) options there are.


r/Canning 7h ago

Safe Recipe Request Red Wine Sauce Canning?

1 Upvotes

I have a ton of amish paste and sioux tomato plants. Im looking to can a bunch and make salsas, soup and sauce. When I usually make sauce I put red wine in it. Can this be done for canning sauce? Does anyone have a recipe for a red wine sauce they've canned or ratios to use? It's my first year growing tomatoes and trying this all out!


r/Canning 20h ago

Safe Recipe Request Looking for canning recipes for kohlrabi

5 Upvotes

I searched previous posts from the group, but didn’t see the usual safe sources. Extra thanks to anyone who can provide a relish recipe with kohlrabi! Seems like it could be used in a piccalilli or fall harvest relish recipe just like cabbage, but haven’t seen anywhere that that’s a safe substitution.


r/Canning 18h ago

Pressure Canning Processing Help Raw vs hot packed green snap beans

2 Upvotes

Hey friends! First time canning green beans. I normally freeze but im out of freezer space lol.

Is there a real different between raw packing and hot packing? Im open to either method but wanted experienced thoughts


r/Canning 1d ago

Equipment/Tools Help Crushing vs food processor?

5 Upvotes

I'm preparing to make the berry jam from the Mrs. Wages website. I'm using black raspberries and wine berries, although I don't think the type of berry matters.

My question is do I actually have to mash up the berries with a masher, or can I just give them a bzzt bzzt through the food processor?


r/Canning 23h ago

Waterbath Canning Processing Help Canning a couple jars of pickles.

2 Upvotes

I am completely new to canning and now have enough cucumbers to pickle maybe two pint jars. I fear they will go bad if I don’t do something with them. Wondering if you can just water bath two jars or if you need to have an entire pot full? Thanks!!!


r/Canning 20h ago

General Discussion 2questions

1 Upvotes

1) I've always used the Ball Blue Book for canning, but when I was learning, a neighbor told me to use coarse kosher salt for tomato canning. I see a ton of "do not deviate" from approved recipies. We're all still alive. Do others make this small adjustment? Coarse sea salt?

2) In my new house, in a totally new region, on the largest burner on full blast, I can't get water up to 212°, 209, 210° is as good as it gets. I even bought a new thermometer to be sure. I've only made some marmalade and strawberry rhubarb jam since I've been here. It's all been fine. Tonight I need to pressure can bush beans and beets. Is it going to matter about a couple degrees for either process, water bath or pressure?

TL;DR- Can't get water above 210° in a water bath canner. About to pressure can. How crucial are 2 degrees for either method?


r/Canning 1d ago

Is this safe to eat? Canning Hot Salsa with Red Wine Vinegar

3 Upvotes

Hi,

I followed my Ball Blue Book recipe for Spicy Tomato Salsa. I made a double batch. I substituted yellow onion for red (didn't have enough red), and used dried thai chili peppers and jalapeno. I omitted the cilantro (forgot to buy it)

The recipe calls for putting all ingredients into the batch to cook. I poured my 3/4 cup (double that in actuality) of 6% red wine vinegar into the batch and let it simmer before ladling into the jars.

My question is, why wouldn't it call for putting the red wine vinegar directly into each jar? Is this ok? I am assuming it was ok, but it seems strange not to add the required acidic ingredient directly to jars like with citric acid.


r/Canning 1d ago

Recipe Included Chocolate raspberry sauce

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53 Upvotes

r/Canning 1d ago

General Discussion Newbie can't get the jiggle on All American 915

1 Upvotes

Purchased a new All American 15.5 qt AA915 and I tested it as the instructions said and I got the jiggle to work 1st time.

Propane Stove.

I then tried to sterilize a jar. Had the canning rack, water about 2.5", jar was half covered by water. Put olive oil on top and bottom rims.

It leaked all over the place, finally gave up as the pressure would not go up with water about 1" deep.

Tried again today. Cleaned the rims and put Olive Oil on bottom rim only with paper towel. Went for a very thin coat. Hoo hummm, it leaked in 4 places around the rim and would not get up to pressure (15, 250 deg.) so no jiggle. Let it cool, emptied and cleaned the rim, applied thin coat of Olive Oil on bottom only using paper towel, ran my finger over it and could barely feel it. This time, it did get up to pressure but the regulator weight would not jiggle. It went up to 254 and I backed the heat down.

It was leaking in at least 2 places around the rim, maybe 3??. I also poked the regulator a few times with a knife. Still no jiggle but, it was sputtering water out. Quit and am waiting for it to cool.

Feeling so disappointed. I don't know anyone who has canned before so am hoping to get some help here.


r/Canning 2d ago

Safety Caution -- untested recipe Grams Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

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73 Upvotes

Made with fresh strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, fresh squeezed lemon juice, patience and love ☺️


r/Canning 1d ago

Refrigerator Pickling Pickled beets question

5 Upvotes

We canned 17 pounds of beets yesterday. Been a few years since I had done it. I boiled them a bit too long. When we were peeling them, they were very soft and mushy. We went ahead and canned them anyway but skipped the water bath. I was afraid they would turn to complete mush after a half hour in there. We have about 16 pints I believe and they're all in our fridge. How long would you think they're going to be good for?


r/Canning 2d ago

*** UNSAFE CANNING PRACTICE *** (festive) plum jam

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48 Upvotes

v satisfied that this small batch to use up a dozen plums ended up with exactly the right amount to fill up my favourite jar haha. the house smells extremely christmassy with the spices, oranges, and plums, and i'm planning to put some of this in gift hampers this christmas.

this pairs really well with traditional rice pudding, but had it on tea with my mother for lunch and it was good that way too!

recipe: 12 plums, quartered, and juice of one large orange. simmer in a pan together with a tsp vanilla, a pinch of salt (i used himalayan pink rock salt), one star anise, and a couple of cadamom pods. slowly add 700g sugar until all melted and combined. take off the heat and leave overnight (i did this in the fridge because its hot as hell here at the moment, in a cooler clime it would probably be fine on the countertop). the next day, return to the heat and slowly bring to a rolling boil, stirring continuously. keep at that boil for 25 minutes and then decant into a sterilised jar.

for the holiday gifts i will probably add some orange zest to bring out a little more citrus in the bouquet, but it tasted great without it :)


r/Canning 2d ago

Equipment/Tools Help Canning Kitchen

10 Upvotes

My husband has offered to help create a second kitchen in our basement (partially finished) to help with space for canning. He wants to run electric and add counters and put in a second stove. I’m curious if anyone has done this and if I could see pictures???


r/Canning 1d ago

Prep Help Probably a dumb question

4 Upvotes

Howdy. So, I’m pretty new to all this as will become obvious. I have a lovely vegetable garden, but it’s small. I want to be able to can what we can’t eat before spoilage. However, the problem I’m having right now is I don’t have a harvest even large enough to eat fresh. So, do you freeze before you can? I went that route last year but it was really just tomatoes.
Right now, I’m getting a handful of bean or peas a week. They’re sprouting more, but I have to preserve what I currently have.
I guess the question is, can I can what I’ve frozen or will that mess with the taste?
Thank you experts