Get your pressure canner tested
for free by Illinois Extension
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[May 10, 2024]
Spring
is a great time to take inventory of your canning equipment to
prepare for the summer canning season. If you have a dial gauge
pressure canner, make it a habit to get it tested by Illinois
Extension every year.
Various foods can be canned at home with a boiling water bath and
pressure canner. Water bath canning is used for high-acid foods,
including fruits and acidified tomato products. However, if low-acid
foods, like meats and vegetables, are in your canning plans, you
must use a pressure canner.
Over time, the needle on a dial gauge pressure canner can become
inaccurate. If the dial gauge is not measuring the correct pressure,
foods inside the pressure canner may be underprocessed, which
increases the risk of serious illness from botulism.
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“A dial gauge pressure canner
test will check if the needle is reading accurately,” said
Caitlin Mellendorf, nutrition and wellness educator. “Testing is
free and takes approximately 15 minutes per canner. Knowing that
the gauge is accurate is peace of mind and well worth the
visit.” Call your local
Extension office before bringing the equipment, as testing
availability may vary. Logan County Extension 217-735-5837, Menard
County Extension 217-632-7491, Sangamon County Extension
217-782-4617.
Learn more about home canning and preservation methods, including
freezing, dehydration, and fermentation, at go.illinois.edu/food-preservation.
Enjoy complimentary access to two educational series: Canning with
Confidence and Fill Your Pantry.
[Caitlin Mellendorf, Extension Nutrition
and Wellness Educator] |