Basic Canning Gear Essentials & Giveaway! {Naptime Simple Tips}
Here is my big secret about canning gear: you don’t need much. A lot of people don’t believe me but it is the honest truth. Canning doesn’t take a lot of expensive, fancy equipment. When I make things like the hot fudge sauce and strawberry-vanilla jam you find in my cookbook I use the basic canning set my Dad generously gave me a few years ago when he was tired of me swiping his. For the actual boiling and jam-making I use my regular old stainless steel pot and candy thermometer. I swear – that is all!
This week to I am sharing an honest round-up of my canning gear essentials. These basic things will meet all your needs when making a simple batch of jam, pickles, or whatever you have in mind. And, with the hopes that you might start some simple canning yourself – it really is a great naptime project – I am giving a copy of Food in Jars, (see my interview with the author, Marisa, here) and a set of two Weck Jars (the fancy ones!). Entry rules below.
1. Ball half-pint jars. I use this size the most!
2. Food in Jars – the best new canning book this year!
3. Classic canning pot – this comes with a canning rack, funnel, and jar tongs inside.
4. Weck jars – slightly more expensive jars that make your food look so fancy. They are my favorite for gift-giving!
5. Cool kitchen towels – you never have enough when canning!
Entry rules:
1. Leave a comment stating your favorite flavor of jam!
2. Subscribe to my updates on Facebook
3. Sign up for my newsletter in the upper right hand side of the page
4. Contest runs from June 20th at 7am ET through June 27th at 7am ET. Winner will be announced in the newsletter on June 29th!
I love a good blackberry jam!
I’m a subscriber.
dewberry. It’s hard to come by, has to be homemade but is so yummy!
My favorite flavor of jam uis STRAWBERRY,
My favorite flavor of jam is raspberry.
Blueberry compote, with strawberry a very close second..yum yum
blackberry followed by blueberry
sent friend request
get your newsletter already
Lemon curd, yum. Cran-apple, mmmm. I’m already subscribed to your newsletter and follow you on facebook.
Raspberry is my fav! And pumpkin butter.
Subscribed via facebook
And signed up for newsletter
Raspberry jam!
I love the classic raspberry jam, but am now loving fig jam! I follow you on FB.
Strawberry jam!!
Subscribed to updates!
Favorite jam is blueberry 🙂
Black raspberry jam is my favorite!
Jalapeno-Raspberry!!!
Classic Strawberry.
Strawberry freezer jam
Yum! We LOVE grape jam around here, and canning it!
Subcribed to newsletter
My favorite jam flavor is raspberry!!
Sour Cherry Jam! and I’m a subscriber!
Strawberry Jam has always and will always be my favorite!
How can I choose?? I love almost all flavors, but I probably choose a mixed berry whenever that’s offered.
And I already subscribe via email!
Strawberry jam!
Subscribed on facebook
Subscribed via email too
[email protected]
Blueberry– because that’s what I’m making today!
Rhubarb!
I’m a Facebook Friend
I love fresh cherry jam using sour cherries! I used to live where I could get fresh cherries from the farmer’s market, but since I’ve moved, I’ll have to find somewhere else to get them!
Already get your updates on Facebook.
Already subscribe to your newsletter!
I love pumpkin butter.
I subscribe to your newsletter.
I subscribe on Facebook.
My favorite jam…well I don’t know if it can be considered jam but it’s apple butter. I could eat that stuff like crazy!
I’m subscribed to your Facebook updates
GRAPE
Blackberry… to later put in Jam Cake!
I am already subscribed to your newsletter. 🙂
I am not on Facebook, but if I was, I would subscribe.
Strawberry!
I subscribe to your newsletter
Follow you on fb
My favorite jam is my grandma’s strawberry rhubarb jam!!
My favorite flavor of jam is blueberry.
Strawberry. Love it.
Rhubarb & apple! I need to make a couple of gallons of the stuff, the way my husband and I just spoon it onto everything, from my homemade yogurt to waffles, to impromptu pie fillings. Yum. 🙂
Blackberry
I am a Mainah…blueberry jam is the best!
Strawberry!!!
My favorite jam would have to be Marionberry.
I liked you on FB and subscribed to your newsletter.
I liked you on face book
my favorite jam is rhubarb orange butter!
Strawberry jam for sure!!!
Just subscribed to Naptime News. 🙂
Just subscribed to your updates on Facebook.
Fig love it thanks to my grandmother who canned her own. I only wish I was able to live closer to her growing up so I could have learned about canning. I remember her putting wax on to seal the jam jar and loved licking off the jam.
I subscribed to your FB updates and I signed up for your newsletter.
I love Boysenberry jam, but since we are stationed at an Air Force Base on Guam it will be awhile before I get to have it again! 🙂 I also subscribed to your FB updates. Thank you for sharing.
My favourite jam is my homemade apricot jam that I spice with fresh ginger. I follow you via your RSS feed, that’s my preferred method, I hope this counts!
Rhubarb jam!!
Blackberry Jam
My favorite is blackberry!
Strawberry Jam is my favorite!
I’m subscribed on FB and for the newsletter!
I love anything with apricots in it!! I’m not sure why, but it is sure tasty!
I have subscribed to your FB updates and your newsletter! 🙂
Great contest. Subscribing to both.
Blackberry has been my all time favorite
Blackberry!
My go to jam would have to be strawberry.
Already receive your newsletter and not on Facebook.
Purple raspberry!
Wild huckleberry!
Strawberry. BUT, my in-laws just planted raspberry and blueberry bushes for us, so I will begin to experiment.
My favorite is grape jam. I’m signed up for your newsletter and I do not use facebook.
Mu favorite jam flavor is Strawberry-yummy!
I subscribe to your updates on Facebook
I receive your awesome newsletter
Vanilla bean peach gets my vote!
[email protected]
Would love these! Just getting into jam making
I already follow you on FB
[email protected]
Forgot to say strawberry is the family favorite and I’m subscribed on Facebook and to newsletter
I already receibe your newsletter.
[email protected]
Grape! And from homegrown purple grapes. Wish I had some right now!
I love strawberry and raspberry jam the most!
I do love a no added sugar fresh strawberry 🙂
Apricot jam!
mmmm…I just had some strawberry and champagne jam that was yummy. It is my new favorite. Wish i had a recipe for it!
Strawberry jam is my favorite!
I am subscribed to your Facebook updates
I am also signed up for your newsletter
Strawberry and Dark Chocolate Jam 😀
Ohhh, that sounds SO GOOD!
Oh, easily my mom’s raspberry freezer jam. So bright and sweet! And I’ve been subscribed and signed up for a while now.
Apricot
I signed up for your newsletter
I Subscribe to your updates on Facebook
Peach jam is my favorite.
I subscribed to your newsletter
I love peach jam!
I signed up to get your FB updates.
My favorite jam is homemade peach!
strawberry jam is my fave!
I am subscribed on facebook!
I signed up for your newletter!
I love stawberry rhubarb jam!!
I Love strawberry jam!
FB fan
Newsletter subscriber
strawberry-blueberry freezer jam
I like almost every flavor, but my favorite has to be Strawberry – totally classic!
I subscribed on fb
I signed up for newsletter
I have to say strawberry jam but a close second would be peach. Thanks!
romapup at gmail dot com
Subscriber of your Facebook under Rochelle Martin
romapup at gmail dot com
Current email subscriber to your newsletter
romapup at gmail dot com
My favorite? Grapefruit marmalade!
I am connected on FB!
I receive your newsletter – thanks!
Fig jam is sentimental to me because my great-aunt always called on me to help her make it, and then we’d enjoy it together and give to all of the family.
I subscribe to your newsletter
I follow you on Twitter and Pinterest, but I do not have a Facebook account.
You know you can make jelly out of tomatoes? very good!
My favorite flavor of jam is Strawberry!
I am a FB fan of Naptime Chef
I am a subscriber to your newsletter.
My favorite jam is strawberry jam. i use a simple recipe and its not canned (sort of). I cut up two packages of strawberries from the grocery store when they’re on sale and heat them with one cup of sugar in a large fry pan. when it starts to boil I lower to a simmer and wait for it to get syrup like then take it off the burner and put it in canning jars. when the jars are cool they go in the fridge. its doesn’t last long but neither does any jam in my house.
i’m a subscriber and a facebook fan
I just made a batch of apricot jam with a bit of basil today, and it’s pretty good-but my all-time favorite jam was a batch of orange and rosehip marmalade I made last summer.
I love anything raspberry, but had a raspberry jam with dark chocolate chunks in it and am dying to try it myself!!!
I like you on FB and get your updates!
I also get your email newsletter
My all time favorite jam is blackberry! I love it on a nice warm piece of toast or biscuit.
Strawberry jam is my favorite. Used to can it every year with my mom.
I signed up for your newsletter.
and I just subscribed to your FB page
Strawberry would be my favorite, but I always end up making apple butter for the kids and grandkids, their favorite. I have taught all three of my boys how to make apple butter. Mom and Gramma are gone now, so I didn’t want canning to become a lost art in the family. Sadly my daughter-in-law doesn’t understand the love of cooking.
I subscribe to your updates on fb
I receive your newsletter via email
Really want to try strawberry rhubarb jam for my hubby!
I get your email newsletter!
Blackberry jam is the best.
strawberry jam
I am signed up for your newsletter
Dewberry!
I subscribed to your newsletter Yea!
My favorite is Strawberry, second is raspberry (seedless, its hard work but worth it)
Blackberry!!!!!
Strawberry!
Black Cherry 🙂
2nd place- Blueberry Mango
Homemade raspberry!
Subscribed on Facebook!
Signed up for your newsletter!
Marmalade – does that count? 🙂
Homemade Peach!!!
My favorite is wild grape!!! Hard to find the little boogers but, oh… the flavor!!