What kind of containers can I get for canning? Anything besides glass jars? THX

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), February 12, 2002

Answers

I am sure there are plastic jars like peanut butter comes in.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 12, 2002.

you can can in metal cans,,just like store bought,, but they take a sealer, ,and arent reusable

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), February 12, 2002.

OK I've never canned anything before, and nonreusable containers are fine with me. Where would I find such beasts? Wouldn't plastic conainters melt?

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), February 12, 2002.

I have seen the directions for canning in metal cans. Stick with glass! No you can't use plastic containers for canning! Plastic can't be sterilized like the glass can and can't take the pressure. I use mayonnaise jars and other jars that will take a two piece canning lid, but you are not supposed to. Been doing it for years without any troubles though. Use glass if you haven't done it before. You might be able to find some at a glass recycle center if you have such a thing in your area. We don't. Have heard that is where others get their jars for free. Some picante sauce, spaghetti sauce, and other products come in mason jars perfect for canning. I have a friend who eats a lot of store bought picante sauce and her's came in pint canning jars that she saves for me. GREAT!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 12, 2002.

Definitely glass. Older canning jars that have been used many times can sometimes create a problem (I've had the odd one break in the water bath canner) so I try to used new (or the newest I've got) in my pressure canner. I didn't get my beans canned this summer (choice between spending time with Dad while he was in hospital having bypass surgery or canning). I sure miss the home done stuff this year. In my opinion, you put a lot of work into canning, it's not worth taking the chance of it spoiling by using inferior containers. And I never re-use lids (except when I make my quick small batch chili sauce cause it goes straight in the fridge, therefore doesn't need to seal). Things done with high sugar content (jams) or high vinegar content (pickles, chili sauce, etc.) are fine done in a water bath canner, but veggies, fruit, canned fish and meat and soups and spaghetti sauce with meat it is I only use my pressure canner. Best investment I ever made.

-- Bernie from Northern Ontario (bernadette_kerr@hotmail.com), February 12, 2002.

Ok the "canned" goods would be shipped and glass isn't my favorite medium at the best of times, anyone know where the directions for using metal cans would be online?

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), February 12, 2002.

I suspect that if you tried to ship anything in a tin can that it would be highly scrutinized by the postal service with all of this going around! I have mailed several things over the years in canning jars. I sent several different jars recently from OK to WI and they all made it just fine. I used bubble wrap and foam. If your package is x-rayed or whatever, wonder if that would mess up your stuff in the cans???? I don't know much about it. I just know that the directions for canning in tin cans are much more complicated because you have to have special equipment. I would think that the cans would be very hard to come by.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), February 14, 2002.