Canning is a great way to be able to enjoy local fruits and vegetables all year round. However, it is important that canning equipment is kept in peak condition to get the most out of your canning efforts. West Virginia University Extension’s Greenbrier County office offers free dial gauge pressure canner testing and information on canning all your garden goodies.
“Having a pressure canner tested at a local WVU Extension office allows individuals to help safeguard their canned foods, as well as the hard work and time involved with the canning process,” says Extension agent Andi Hoover. A pressure canner that is working correctly not only seals in food flavor, but using high heat exposure along with pressure, makes certain that air has escaped, and kills bacteria enzymes.
Taking the necessary steps, like having canners tested, making sure you know what to pressure can and what to process in a boiling water bath—helps reduce the chance of food spoilage. All low acid foods such as green beans and other vegetables as well as meat must be processed in a pressure canner, while high acid foods like tomatoes and fruits can be processed in a boiling water bath.
If you did not use the correct processing procedure (pressure can or water bath), your jars may be sealed, but they may have also sealed in unwanted bacteria as well. New strains of bacteria are being discovered every day that can cause serious illness. The canning process using heat and/or pressure is what kills bacteria. Make sure you are following recipes from the USDA, Ball Blue Book or an Extension service.
Don’t waste your time or your fruits and vegetables. Make sure to follow the rules with canning and get your dial gauge pressure canner tested for free at the WVU Extension Service Greenbrier County office, located on Maplewood Avenue across from the State Fair entrance. For more information on canning, call Extension agent Andi Hoover at 304-647-7408, email andrea.hoover@mail.wvu.edu or visit WVU Greenbrier County Extension Service on Facebook for more information.
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