Do you need to go out and buy a water bath canner? No.
The first year I canned, I used a homemade water bath canner using a large stock pot and seven large jar bands.
All you do for your homemade canning rack is tie together the seven bands into a circle (see the picture). You could use string or wire. I just used the ties from bread wrappers.
The point is to keep the jars from touching the bottom of the pot and away from direct heat.
You'll still need a jar lifter though. I'm sure that you don't want to place the jars into boiling water, or lift them out, with your bare hands!
6 comments:
Thanks for such a great tip!! I am getting ready to go berry picking soon and start canning. Found your blog on Networked Blog (Facebook). I am a fellow thrify homeschool momma, didn't expect to find great canning info here too. Thanks again!
You're welcome! If you check the labels in the sidebar, you'll find a category for all my canning posts. Happy canning!
Thank you thank you thank you! My husband and I are trying to break the materialist habit of running out and buying things on a whim! I have a perfect stock pot and smooth top stove. Now I can make my own rack! You are so smart!
Necessity is the mother of invention as they say! Congratulations on breaking the materialism cycle!
Instead of buying jar lifters, I use a pair of tongs with grips wide enough to grab the necks of the jars. To prevent slippage, I just wrapped the ends with elastic bands. Hey presto! Homemade, non-slip jar lifter!
I'm laughing at myself because it took me a while to figure out that these tied rings are placed on the bottom of the pot and the jars (with other lids) on top!
Thanks for the tip.
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