If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to dust off your canning supplies and get ready to preserve your summer garden harvests. Canning is a popular and effective way to extend the life of your harvest by heating food in jars to a temperature that destroys microorganisms that cause spoilage.
Take a moment to go through your canning equipment, especially if it hasn’t been touched since last summer. Check for parts that may need replacing, such as the rubber seals on pressure canners. Many replacement parts can be ordered directly from the canner’s manufacturer. While canning jars are reusable, always inspect them for cracks, chips, or scratches, which can lead to broken jars or improper sealing. Canning rings can be reused as well, but should be tossed if they show any signs of rust or corrosion. Canning lids can only be used once. If you have old, used lids lying around, throw them away and stock up on new lids.
