The Canning Primer

Pressure Canning

This is the only safe way to can low-acid foods, including plain vegetables, beans, meats, poultry, seafood, and homemade stocks and soups. These foods are not acidic enough to stop the bacteria that cause botulism, and a boiling water bath simply cannot get hot enough to make them safe, which is why a pressure canner is required. These guides explain the basics in plain terms: how dial-gauge and weighted-gauge canners differ, why your altitude changes the pressure you need, and how to vent and bring the canner up to pressure. Above all they stress the rule that matters most here: follow the tested time and pressure for your food exactly, with no shortcuts.

Pressure Canning

8 guides
Pressure Canning

Venting, Pressurizing, and Cooling a Pressure Canner Safely

Learn how to vent a pressure canner, build and hold pressure correctly, and cool it safely with this step-by-step guide for beginners.

July 4, 2026
Pressure Canning

How to Pressure Can: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to pressure can safely with this beginner step-by-step guide. Covers venting, pressurizing, depressurization, and why tested recipes matter.

June 30, 2026
Pressure Canning

Reading Pressure and Processing Times the Right Way

Learn how to read pressure canning PSI and processing times from tested recipes, and why both vary by jar size, canner type, food, and altitude.

June 29, 2026
Pressure Canning

Can You Can Meat at Home? Pressure Canning Basics

Yes, you can safely can meat at home with a pressure canner. Learn how to pressure can chicken, beef, and other meats using tested USDA recipes.

June 22, 2026
Pressure Canning

How to Pressure Can Soups and Stocks

Learn how to safely pressure can homemade soups, broths, and stocks using tested USDA guidelines, the only safe method for these low-acid foods.

June 21, 2026
Pressure Canning

How to Pressure Can Beans and Legumes

Learn how to can dried beans at home safely. This beginner's guide covers soaking, pre-cooking, packing, and pressure canning beans the right way.

June 14, 2026
Pressure Canning

How to Pressure Can Vegetables

Learn how to pressure can vegetables safely at home. Covers which vegetables to can, hot vs raw pack, the step-by-step process, and why tested recipes matter.

June 10, 2026
Pressure Canning

Why You Can't Water-Bath Can Low-Acid Foods

Learn why low-acid foods like vegetables, beans, and meats must be pressure canned—and why boiling water alone can never make them safe to store on the shelf.

June 6, 2026

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