Safe Canning Practices

salt for home canning and safe salt substitutions

Safe Salt Substitutions When Home Canning

May 14, 2025

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

May 8, 2025

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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Storage shelves in pantry with homemade canned preserved fruits and vegetables

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

Safe Canning Practices

May 7, 2025

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

February 20, 2025

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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Pressure Canning Fruit versus Water Bathing

Safe Canning Practices, Tips, Tricks and Techniques

January 5, 2025

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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All American Pressure Canner Review: Top Features and Benefits Explained

Safe Canning Practices

November 4, 2024

All American pressure canners are highly regarded by home canners for their exceptional durability, unique design, and reliable performance. Many appreciate the metal-to-metal sealing system, which eliminates the need for replacement gaskets and ensures a secure seal. The heavy-duty cast aluminum construction is praised for its robustness and even heat…

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Navigating the Digital Age: Embracing Change and Critical Thinking in Food Science and Preservation

Safe Canning Practices

September 29, 2024

In an ever-evolving field of food science and preservation, the journey from ancient practices to modern innovations is marked by a steadfast commitment to knowledge and process. This article explores the dynamic nature of these disciplines, while addressing challenges posed by online discourse, cult-like mentalities, and the importance of critical…

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Debunking the Bean Water Myth: Safe and Delicious

Safe Canning Practices

August 14, 2024

There’s a persistent myth in the canning community that if you don’t presoak your beans before pressure canning them, the bean water becomes dangerous to consume. This misinformation has led many to oversoak their beans prior to canning, making them very mushy and dense after pressure canning and potentially bacteria…

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Dry Canning versus Dry Packing

Safe Canning Practices

February 23, 2024

What is the difference between Dry Canning and Dry Packing? While there are many well-intended people out there, sadly there is so much confusion circulating the internet, I decided to clear things up a bit… For starters, the bulletin released a couple years ago by the El Dorado County UC…

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Is Digital Canning Safe?

Safe Canning Practices

February 18, 2024

The original version of a digital canner was the Carey Nesco. It has been on the market several years and is the first digital pressure canner with a PSI regulator. Starting as the National Enameling and Stamping Company, back in 1931 it is now simply the NESCO brand owned by…

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