Michigan State University Extension
Preserving Food Safely - 01600499
10/13/97

### FOOD PRESERVATION EQUIPMENT

    Spoons--
    used for stirring and spooning (wooden spoons for

            stirring and packing; slotted spoons for lifting).

    Knives
    -- useful knives include  a paring knife, a sharp

             chopping knife and a vegetable peeler

    Food
    Brushes -- used to wash food to be canned.

    Saucepans
    -- needed to heat lids.

    Measuring
      Cups   --  used  for dry (metal)  and  liquid

           (glass) foods.  Sizes should range from 1/4  to

           2 cups.

    Jelly
     Bags-- used to strain juice from softened  fruit  and

          pulp.

    Colander
      or  strainer  --  good  for  draining  fruit   or

          vegetables after washing.

    Tongs
     --  used to remove canning lids from  hot  water  and

         putting the lids onto filled jars.

    Scales
    -- used to measure food by weight; it should have a

             25 pound food capacity.

    Timer
    -- used to measure processing times accurately.

    Pressure
     Canner  --  used  to can low  acid  food.  Can  be

             purchased with weighted or dial gauges.  Available

             in many sizes.  Purchase a canner that can hold

             four quart jars or more.

    Boiling
     Water  Bath  Canner  -- used  to  can  acid  foods.

            Adequate height is important.

    Crock
     --  used to ferment food in pickling; should  be

              clean and free of cracks.

    Jar
    funnel -- used to avoid getting food on sealing surfaces

                 of  jars and helps calculate appropriate  head

                 space.

    Jar
     Lifter  --  used to remove  jars  from  canner.  Wooden

                handles protect users  hands from heat  and the

                plastic coating prevents jars from slipping.

    Plastic
    Spatula  -- used to run down sides of filled jars to

                  release air bubbles without damaging the jar.

                  Made of plastic.

    Jars
     --  For best results, use only canning jars.  Jars

             come in a variety of sizes; select  sizes that

             fit the needs of the household.

    Lids
    -- Only standard lids should be used.

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