On Monday, August 4, 2014 9:17:15 PM UTC-5, George Shirley wrote:
> Actually here is the quote: "Pressure canners come deep enough for one
> layer of quart or smaller size jars, or deep enough for two layers of
> pint or smaller size jars. The USDA recommends that a (canner be large
> enough to hold at least 4 quart jars to be considered a pressure canner
> for the USDA published processes.)"
Oh, you found it. Thanks.
I've never actually seen one that small though. Gosh I wish there was one for induction. Mine is an aluminum Presto that hold 7 quarts max. I used to use a taller one but it got to be just too darn heavy and we just don't need larger quantities now. The Presto has a dial gauge, a pressure regulator and that pop-up thing. There is also a very small rubber safety plug on top. I use the canner on a separate electric hob since my stove is induction. Each year, I have the gauge checked at the local extension service. I was able to obtain a stainless pressure cooker (Fagor) I can use on my stove and it is great for BWB canning small batches of jam and the like. It included a book for pressure canning but I have not used it as such since, for one thing, it has no facility for the ten minute venting. I guess they must use it for pressure canning in Europe but I would be afraid. Fantastic pressure cooker though.
> Once the USDA rules started changing we changed too. Food
> safety is much better nowadays. My Mom used to take the paraffin off the
> jar and then scrape out the mold and put the jar on the table.
> Sounds like you're following the modern food safety rules just like most
> of us on this group do.
I can't say I appreciate everything about the USDA but I am a very strong supporter of the county Extension services. When I first started working long ago, the Extension service was right across the hall from our office. They even had a kitchen then and they were always testing recipes and equipment. So they would bring us samples to taste. Yum! They were a fantastic resource for not only canning but most things having to do with home-keeping. When we first got married, I was always over there looking through their many file cabinets for information. And I still have some of those brochures. Yikes, sorry to rattle on and on.
Isabella