Canning & Preserving Essentials

If you’re looking to get started with canning, pickling, or preserving, these are pretty much all the items you’ll need. I’ve included a few of my favorite books to help you get started, and don’t be intimidated by the pressure canner — you can start by using a large pot and just boiling water.

We use all of these products in our own kitchen. They’re my favorites, and I bet they’ll be yours, too.

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Ball Utensil Starter Kit
A few cheap, plastic tools that will make life easier when getting started canning.
Ball Wide Mouth Jar Lids
Keep some extra lids on hand, since they can be used for canning only once (they can still be reused if freezing or storing dry goods).
Ball Wide-Mouth Pint Jars
Also good for freezing 2-cup portions (just don't use for canning after they've been frozen).
Ball Wide-Mouth Quart Jars
Not just for canning, they're great for all kinds of kitchen storage! I prefer the wide-mouth jars, since they're easier to fill, empty, and clean.
Food in Jars
Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round
Norpro Canning Lid Rack
Makes sterilizing lids much easier - you won't have to spend time fishing them out of the bottom of a pot of boiling water.
Norpro Jar Lifter
Safely and easily lift jars out of the hot water bath.
Oliso Smart Vacuum Sealer
Smaller than most vacuum sealers, and the bags are reusable up to ten times. Perfect for Sous-Vide, or just sealing foods so they keep longer in the fridge or freezer.
Preserving by the Pint
Quick Seasonal Canning for Small Spaces
Presto Aluminum Pressure Cooker/Canner
This is easily the best value in pressure canners - you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars!
Presto Cooking/Canning Rack for Pressure Canner
Keeps the jars from sitting on the bottom of the pot, ensuring even circulation and heating.
Put 'em Up!
A Comprehensive Home Preserving Guide for the Creative Cook
RSVP Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Canning Funnel
Makes filling jars much easier. This is a nicer version of the funnel that comes in the starter kit.
The Joy of Pickling
250 Flavor-Packed Recipes for Vegetables and More from Garden or Market