Safe Canning Practices

salt for home canning and safe salt substitutions

Pickling Salt vs Table Salt – Key Differences

2 Oct at 12:07 pm

Curious about the difference between pickling salt vs table salt? The type of salt you choose can affect flavor, clarity, and results when home canning pickles. Pickling salt is pure, fine-grained, and free from additives, making it the top choice for canning and pickling. Table salt, on the other hand,…

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Can You Use a Pressure Cooker for Home Canning?

Safe Canning Practices

27 Aug at 4:48 pm

Many people wonder if their pressure cooker can double as a pressure canner for preserving foods at home. While the terms “pressure cooker” and “pressure canner” are often used interchangeably, they are not the same tool. The difference lies in size, construction, and whether the appliance can reliably maintain the…

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Canning Around the World the canning diva

The 240° Myth: Botulism, Heat Resistance, and the Misunderstood Pressure-Only Mandate

Safe Canning Practices

30 Jun at 1:02 pm

The long-standing belief that foods must reach 240°F to ensure safety in home canning oversimplifies the science of thermal lethality. In this article, we unpack the true role of D-values, Z-values, and F-values in destroying Clostridium botulinum spores, showing how time, temperature, and acidity all interact to ensure safe preservation.…

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Popular Meals in a Jar Recipes for Canning

Homesteading, Safe Canning Practices

10 Jun at 12:30 pm

Meals in a jar recipes are becoming a go-to option for families, homesteaders, and meal preppers who want to make dinnertime easier with wholesome, ready-made meals. These quick dinner solutions aren’t just convenient—they also allow you to store long-term food and stock your emergency food supply with jars filled with…

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Safe Salt Substitutions When Home Canning

Safe Canning Practices

14 May at 10:31 am

Salt plays an important role in home canning, but not always for the reasons people think. In pressure canning, salt is added for flavor, not preservation. When pickling, however, salt is essential to balance acidity and inhibit bacterial growth. Understanding when salt is optional, when it’s required, and which substitutes…

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Why Dry Packed Potatoes Are a Game-Changer

Safe Canning Practices

8 May at 11:38 am

Dry-packed potatoes are a low-effort, high‑reward pressure canning method where raw, peeled, and cut potatoes are packed into jars without added water. During processing, the potatoes release their own moisture, forming a minimal starchy broth inside the jar. This results in firmer‑textured potatoes that hold up beautifully in dishes like…

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Home Canning for Wellness: Nutrition, Sustainability, and Everyday Preparedness

Safe Canning Practices

7 May at 10:41 am

Home canning goes beyond pantry preparedness—it’s a wellness practice that strengthens overall health by knowing where your food comes from, preserves peak nutrition, and supports sustainable living. By filling jars with seasonal produce, bone broths, and complete meals, you take control of your food, avoid hidden preservatives, and create a…

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West Michigan Home & Garden Show 2025

Events, Safe Canning Practices

20 Feb at 9:47 am

Who’s ready for spring? I know I sure am! Starting Thursday, February 27th, we will kick off the home decorating and gardening season at the 46th Annual West Michigan Home & Garden Show at the Devos Place. The Canning Diva is excited to share she will give three presentations on…

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dry packed potatoes with onions peppers and garlic

The 10 Most Popular Canning Recipes

Homesteading, Safe Canning Practices

3 Feb at 11:17 am

Discover the 10 most popular canning recipes loved by home canners worldwide. From hearty soups and savory meals to festive jams and nourishing broths, these tried-and-true recipes have been tested, trusted, and shared thousands of times. Perfect for beginners and seasoned preservers alike, this collection highlights the recipes that deliver…

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Pressure Canning Fruit versus Water Bathing

Safe Canning Practices, Tips, Tricks and Techniques

5 Jan at 6:24 pm

Curious whether you should pressure can or water bath your fruit? Many home canners believe pressure canning makes fruit mushy or dull in color, but that’s not the case when done correctly. This article breaks down the key differences between pressure canning fruit and water bathing—covering processing times, temperature control,…

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