I was having a conversation today with someone I love
dearly. The topic of canning came around as it usually does when standing
in my kitchen filled with canning gadgets and tools at this time of year. She proceeded to tell me about the carrots she had
water-bath canned two years ago and how she did it as an experiment and was going
to test taste them soon. Sigh. I know many older people who have
canned for years are not up on all the latest canning information and some people who have just started canning who need to know this information - PLEASE - do not
can low acid foods in a water-bath canner. Canning is incredibly safe if
you do it right and incredibly dangerous if you do it wrong! It's not hard to figure out you just need to know the basics of canning.
Health Link BC did a great job on the article and said it better than I could. Please read and take heed!
What is botulism and how is it caused?
Botulism is a serious form of food poisoning that can
cause death. The poison is produced by Clostridium botulinum, a
bacterium that is commonly found in soil, or on raw fruits and vegetables, on
meat and fish and many others foods and surfaces.
Botulism spores are tough, and cannot be killed with
boiling water or heat without including canning pressures.
Botulism bacteria (the bacteria that grow out of
germinated spores) can multiply quickly in a moist, oxygen-free environment and
create a very powerful poison. One teaspoonful is enough to kill 100,000
people.
Improper home canning creates the perfect environment to
grow botulism. Because food contaminated by botulism may look and smell
normal, you cannot tell by looking at the food whether it is poisoned by
botulism bacteria.
What steps can I take to avoid botulism?
Home can properly using extreme care to avoid botulism.
Do not take any short cuts.
High-acid foods are resistant to bacteria and only need
the "boiling water bath" method of canning. Plums or rhubarb are high
acid foods. The "boiling water bath" is a food preservation method
commonly used in making jams. It involves dropping a basket of sealed jars into
a large pot of rapidly boiling water.
Low-acid foods such as most vegetables,
meats and seafood must be canned at a higher temperature using a pressure
canner.
What do I need to know about pressure
canning?
A pressure canner is a large, cast-aluminium pot
with a locking lid and a pressure gauge. By cooking under pressure, you can
bring the temperature of boiling water up to 116°C (240°F). This is the minimum
temperature necessary to destroy botulism spores, and the only way to guarantee
safe canning for food items such as vegetables, meats and seafood.
Your pressure canner should come with complete
instructions. Always follow them carefully.
Keep these points in mind:
- Foods
can be processed at 5, 10 and 15 pounds pressure. Consult a chart provided
in the instructions to determine what pressure is safe for the food you
are canning.
- Processing
time will vary depending on the type of food being preserved and the size
of the jar. Never shorten the cooking time that is recommended in the
instructions.
- If
you live more than 1,000 feet above sea level, the pressure and cooking
time will have to be adjusted. Consult a chart.
- Once
the right pressure level is reached during cooking, it must be kept
constant throughout the cooking step.
- Both
weighted gauges and dial gauges should be checked for accuracy. Read the
manufacturer's directions carefully for recommended testing and frequency
procedures, to make sure your canner is being operated safely and correctly.
What jars are best for canning?
It is important that you use heavy-duty jars made
specifically for home canning.
"Mason" type jars - which screw shut with a
threaded neck - are the most common choice. Do not re-use the lids: after a lid
has been pried off once, a perfect fit can no longer be guaranteed. The jars
themselves can be used many times, as long as the rims are perfectly smooth and
there are no scratches or cracks that would prevent a perfect seal.
It is important that you do not use commercial jars, such
as empty peanut butter jars for home canning. Commercial jars are not strong
enough to be safely used.
What should you do if the home-canned food
does not seem right?
Never eat, or even taste any home-canned food that:
- Appears
to be spoiled;
- Foams;
- Develops
a bad smell during cooking;
- Has
a bulging container lid or is leaching;
- You
are not sure if the food was properly canned or not.
Place any questionable containers and food in a
waterproof container and throw it in the garbage. Do not feed the questionable
food to your pets or any other animals. After throwing it away, wash your hands
well with warm soapy water. Also wash any utensils or surfaces the food,
container, or your hands may have touched.
The importance of cleanliness
All work surfaces and your hands should be kept clean
during all stages of the canning process. The food being preserved must be
rinsed clean. It is very important to sterilize the jars and seals before use.
To sterilize jars, boil them for 10 minutes. If you live at higher elevations
(over 1,000 feet), allow 1 extra minute of boiling for each extra 1,000 feet of
elevation. To sterilize tops, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wash your
hands often with warm soapy water.
For more information
Home canning is perfectly safe but needs to be done
correctly. It is a good idea to read about home canning before you try it.
Books are available on the subject, either at the library or in the stores.
Pressure canners almost always come with instructions. If you have an older
pressure canner and cannot find the instructions, contact the manufacturer for
a copy.
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