Yard sale season is upon us and before you know it, it will be canning season. Here are some suggestions for canning tools to look for while you’re out yard sale-ing this summer.
Ball Canning Jars, quarts, 12 count
Jars…
Think about what you might can this year. Do you need quarts? Pints? Half pints? Jelly Jars? Don’t forget about gifts at Christmas. Will you need wide-mouth jars or regular jars? Examine the mouths of the jars carefully for chipping. Chipping will cause the lids not to seal properly.
If you find a case or several jars at a yard sale, always ask if the person holding the sale has more jars. More times that I can count, they will bring out tons more jars for you!
Back To Basics Canning Tool Kit
Various Tools…
True confession: For years I canned everything without the aide of most of these tools. But once I got these tools, I could hardly believe how much more smoothly the process went! Look for tools like a jar lifter, a magnetic lid lifter, a canning funnel, a jar-lid wrench, and kitchen tongs. The only one of these tools I don’t have and know I wouldn’t use is the lid wrench. I use my Mother’s method of the tip of a spoon.
Granite Ware Water Bath Canner
Water Bath Canner…
Depending on what kind of canning you will be doing, this is a must. As a general rule, if you are purchasing a one, buy the best water bath canner you can afford. Granite ware is sturdy but of course stainless steel is sturdier. At yard sales, be sure to look for a canner with a tight fitting lid, that’s essential. And its a bonus if the metal rack is with it. Water Bath canners should hold at least 7 quart jars.
Ball Canning Guide …
This is called the Canning Bible and for good reason. The folks that produce this book have investigated and worked to bring us the final word on canning. No home kitchen where canning or freezing or even food drying is going on should be without it. I have found one at yard sales periodically. The thing you have to watch for at yard sales is out-dated books. You want the most recent, especially if you are an inexperienced canner.
Clean Dish towels..
You’ll need these for putting inside the canner if you have no rack, wiping up spills and water and for setting hot jars on. Used towels are fine, just look for towels that are sturdy, thick enough but not too thick to use to pick up hot jars and clean of course.
Armed with these tools you can have a smooth going canning season! Happy Yard Sale-ing!
Hello and welcome! I'm Sylvia Britton, and I've been online since 1996 offering encouragement and help in the spirit of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 at Christian Homekeeper. CHK is the original Homekeeping site on the internet
Thank you so much for this list! I love yard sales, and sometimes I forget what I am actually looking for when I see all those deals! LOL I’ve made it one of my goals to can more this year and this post will surely help me in my pursuit. =)
You’re welcome, Samantha! I hope you find everything on your list and are able to get busy canning this year. 😀
I came across your blog on the Top Blog Christian Parenting site. Your blog is beautiful and refreshing. See you again soon. Blessings!
Thank you for stopping by and for the encouragement, Nancy!
I never go yard saling, but my mother used to go every weekend. I asked her to keep an eye out for canning supplies–especially jars–and she found loads of them for pennies! Now I look in my local thrift stores and always buy a few jelly jars when the price is right. That’s the size I tend to gift away as gifts, so I always need to replenish my supply.
*Note: just make sure the jars are not mayonnaise jars! If you’re going to pay money for a canning jar, it should say Ball, Kerr, or Mason on the jar!
Terri you are so right! My Mother used to can in mayo jars, but every time I’ve tried it, they break. So I stick with real canning jars now.
Is that because our mayo jars aren’t made with quality glass anymore?
I want to learn to do this this year…..I will be out of school so I will have time…just hope I don’t mess up!
Mayo jars aren’t meant to use over and over again, so they aren’t s sturdy and don’t stand up to reheating very well.
Ok, just thought of yet another question…what is the difference between jelly jars and canning jars?
Jelly jars are actually canning jars. Jars made specifically for jelly are usually small and have a ‘quilted’ texture to the outside of the jars.
I am so hoping that I can start canning. This is something that I have wanted to do for years and just never been able to. Thank you for posting this. It will make it easier to know what to look for…
Lawauna, I hope you have great success at canning!