top of page
Azure Canning

What You Need for Water-bath Canning

Updated: Jun 20

Here's a list of the equipment you'll need to get started.


Canning jars (also called Mason jars): Don’t skimp here. You won’t want your work or your food to go to waste due to broken glass, so purchase quality jars, which will last a lifetime. It’s important to use jars specifically made for home canning. Home canning jars have a threaded neck to attach home canning lids and bands, and are made of extra-thick, heat-tempered glass. Azure Canning Co. sells the best on the market—our jars meet or surpass the strength of leading brands. (Also note that you must use standard-sized jars, not just any random jar you want to recycle. Recipes and instructions for timing and processing are based on the volume of these jars and their thickness, and your food safety depends on it.)


Lids and bands: Two-piece lids form a vacuum seal to keep your food safe. The flat metal, rust-resistant lids, which have a soft, rubbery compound on the underside, are needed to ensure a seal. The bands allow just enough ‘give’ for air bubbles to be forced out during heating, while holding the lid to the jar through the process. We highly recommend Superb Lids and Bands, which are included with your Azure Canning Company jars. 


Stock pot or water-bath canner with rack. For simple water-bath canning, you’ll need a large stock pot that is at least 3 inches taller than your jars. You can buy a standard canning pot, which is usually 21 quarts (meaning the pot could hold 21 quarts of liquid when full), and fits seven quart-sized jars. Most come equipped with a rack, which holds your jars upright and off the bottom surface of the pot. The rack greatly minimizes jostling and breakage because it keeps your jars from direct heat and allows water circulation for even heating. You can purchase one almost anywhere you buy kitchen goods. 


Optional:

  • Bubble tool or nonmetallic spatula (in a pinch, use a chopstick)

  • Jar lifter or tongs (costs about $7 and makes canning safer)

  • Magnetic lid grabber (nice to have, and costs just a few dollars)

  • White vinegar (to wipe lids for better seal, and to add to canner to keep jars from getting cloudy) (Add 2 Tbsp to the water in your canner)


31 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

©2024 Azure Canning Company.

A Division of Azure Standard.

All Rights Reserved.

  • Facebook - White Circle
  • Twitter - White Circle
  • Instagram - White Circle
bottom of page