Essential Water Bath Canning Supplies
Many people begin their home food preservation journey with basic water bath canning of jam, jellies and pickles. Why? It’s a straightforward, safe way of preserving high acid foods with relatively low start up cost.
If you’re interested in starting water bath canning, use this list to guide your prep to ensure you have everything you need.
Water Bath Canner
The cornerstone of water bath canning is the water bath canner itself. You may choose to purchase a water bath canner — either individually or as part of a kit — or you can keep costs super low and use a large pot from your existing cooking supplies.
If you opt for a true water bath canner, it will come with a lid and rack, which will keep jars elevated and prevent cracking. If you choose to use a large stock pot, we recommend using a small trivet in place of a rack. Some people use a rolled up towel, or even several canning rings that have been secured together. The important thing is that the glass jars never come into contact with the bottom of the pot.
Mason Jars
Mason jars are the preferred vessel for water bath canning due to their durability and ability to withstand the heat of the canning process. Available in a variety of sizes, from 4 oz to half gallon, mason jars are made of tempered glass. Canning jars approved for safe canning in the US feature a two-piece lid system consisting of a flat lid with a sealing compound and a screw-on band. Always use new lids for each canning project to ensure a proper seal.
Canning Lids and Bands
Canning lids and bands are essential components of the two-piece lid system used in water bath canning. The lid, which features a sealing compound, creates an airtight seal when heated during the canning process. The band secures the lid in place on the jar during processing. While bands can be reused as long as they are in good condition and free from rust or damage, lids should always be new to ensure a reliable seal. It’s important to note that you should remove the rings from the canned item before placing into storage. This prevents a false seal.
Jar Lifter
A jar lifter is a specialized tool used to safely and securely lift hot jars in and out of the water bath canner. Typically made of heat-resistant materials such as stainless steel or nylon, jar lifters feature gripping tongs that securely grasp the jars, allowing for safe and precise maneuvering during the canning process. It’s important to use a specialized jar lifter for this — not tongs — as tongs can’t grip a jar as well and will likely lead to hot water splashing, or broken jars.
Canning Funnel
A canning funnel is a tool used to transfer hot liquids, such as jams, jellies, and sauces, into jars during the canning process. Its wide mouth and tapered design allow for easy and mess-free pouring, ensuring that the contents are evenly distributed and that the rims of the jars remain clean. Canning funnels are typically made of heat-resistant materials such as stainless steel or BPA-free plastic.
We recommend keeping several on hand, as once you use them, you’ll likely realize they can be used in the kitchen beyond canning. They are particularly handy for decanting bulk grains, rice and other food into manageable containers.
Bubble Remover/Headspace Tool
Achieving the correct headspace—the distance between the top of the food and the rim of the jar—is essential for ensuring a proper seal and preventing spoilage. A bubble remover/headspace tool helps remove air bubbles trapped in the jar and to measure the headspace accurately. It typically features a flat end for removing bubbles and a measuring gauge for checking headspace.
Alternatively, some canning funnels have built in measuring tools, and some people use a wooden chopstick or popsicle stick as a bubble remover.
Lid Magnet
A lid magnet is used to retrieve canning lids from hot water without the risk of burns or spills. Featuring a magnet at one end, a lid magnet attracts and lifts lids from the water bath canner, allowing for easy and hygienic handling during the canning process. Lid magnets are typically made of heat-resistant materials such as stainless steel or nylon.
Note that lid manufacturers no longer require or recommend boiling lids before use. Nevertheless, we find this tool helpful in certain situations, and it doesn’t hurt to have around.
Towels, Towels, Towels
You’ll be surprised how many towels you find yourself using for a canning project. We keep several on hand, not just to clean up, but to serve as a heat protector for counters once hot jars come out of the canner, for a makeshift pot holder if needed, and for a place to rest clean jars while they are being filled.
