House canning is a well-liked approach to protect the freshness of homegrown meals. Kansas State College meals scientist Karen Blakeslee says that when finished appropriately, house meals preservation can also get monetary savings by lowering meals waste.
“These with well being points can protect some meals with out sugar or salt,” Blakeslee stated. “However most of all, those that protect meals get the satisfaction that they’ve preserved their homegrown meals.”
Nonetheless, when improper practices and unsafe meals dealing with methods are used, the meals could cause foodborne sickness.
Blakeslee, naturally, advocates for security. She just lately provided a number of suggestions to assist put together for fulfillment.
Learn to use gear correctly
Blakeslee urges house canners to learn and comply with all producer utilization instruction for gear earlier than they use it. “Any deviation from utilization directions can result in gear failure or meals not preserved safely,” she stated.
Additionally, preserve gear by checking for put on and tear of canners or different gear. Alternative components can be found for some gear.
“Dial gauges on stress canner manufacturers Presto, Nationwide, Maid of Honor and Magic Seal must be examined yearly for accuracy,” Blakeslee stated. “Rubber seals must be checked for cracks or dryness and changed, if essential.”
Many extension workplaces in Kansas supply free testing of dial gauges for the manufacturers she lists. Check with your local office to ask if this service is obtainable.
Observe dependable recipes
Blakeslee stated a dependable recipe is one which has been developed with analysis to confirm the security of the method.
“These embrace any college extension recipe supply, the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, and the National Center for Home Food Preservation,” she stated.
Extra info additionally is obtainable on-line from the K-State Rapid Response Center for Food Science.
Use the right technique for the meals being canned
Blakeslee stated there are two canning strategies: water bathtub canning, and stress canning. The tactic used relies on the meals being canned.
“The water bathtub canning technique can be utilized for top acid meals similar to jams and jellies, pickles, most fruits and most tomato merchandise,” Blakeslee stated. “Stress canning should be used for low acid meals, similar to plain greens, meat, poultry and seafood.”
There are a number of meals – together with some tomato merchandise – that may be processed with both technique. Blakeslee stated additional steerage is obtainable on the web site, Preserve if Fresh, Preserve it Safe. That web site, she notes, additionally has an possibility to join a month-to-month meals preservation publication delivered to your e mail inbox.
Blakeslee, who is also coordinator of K-State’s Rapid Response Center for Food Science, publishes a month-to-month publication referred to as You Asked It! that gives quite a few tips about being secure and wholesome. Extra info can be accessible from local extension offices in Kansas.
