My garden isn't very large but I want to make the most of it by preserving everything that I can. I have two pepperoncini plants and they are producing nicely. I had a small batch that I wanted to pickle before they went bad but I didn't want to drag out the big water bath canner for one or two half-pints. I read on the internet recently about how to turn any pot into a water bath canner by using the rings from regular mouth canning jars. The wide mouth rings won't work as the jars could slip through.
My little blue enamelware bean pot is 6 1/2 inches tall and 7 1/2 inches wide and was just what I needed to water bath can a few half-pints. I attached the rings together with twist ties. One site recommended zip ties but I didn't have any. Three rings will fit in the bottom of my pot.
Using this pot, I can water bath can three half-pint jars. I tried a fit check with pint jars but they are too tall for my pot. You need to have one to two inches of water above the top of the jars for water bath canning. The jars sit on top of the rings very nicely and don't seem to want to tip over at all.
I am so glad I found out about this! There were a couple of times last year when produce went bad before I could gather enough together to justify getting out the big water bath canner. Now, I can process really small batches! I only ended up with one half-pint jar of pickled pepperoncinis but I'm glad that they are now sitting on the shelf ready to be put on sandwiches! :-)
Linking up with the Homestead Barn Hop, The Country Homemaker Hop and Wildcrafting Wednesday.
23 comments:
I love the small jars. I've never used them but sometimes the larger jars are just too big, even if you have ample produce. Here you open just what you need.
This is a great idea, thanks for showing us and posting it!
OHHHHH! This is GREAT! Much of what has kept me from teaching myself to can is the idea of large batches (more to do and more possible failures)! This is a boon of information for me! You've helped to take some of my trepidation away! Whoooohoooo! And just as good; don't HAVE to do large batches! YES! Awesome! (Can't you tell I'm excited by this?)
This is a great post. Thank you! I've bookmarked it. :o)
I had to start doing this also. With just me and my husband the big jars just don't work.
Great idea! I thought maybe the jars would tip over, but how nice that this method worked for you!
I've read about that too! What kind of seeds do you use for your pepperoncini plants?
Looks like maybe you could add 2 or 3 more and make a permanent rack for that pot. Clever idea.
Oh this is a fantastic idea I love the smaller jars. B
Great idea, Candy. Love that little bean pot. :)
That's a great idea Candy.
What a great idea Candy. Thanks!
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Very cool!
I've been looking for a rack for my water bath canner and smaller pot. Thanks for sharing! This is a great idea.
I like this Candy......Love the bean pot as well. I have used this idea on many occasions to can just a few things too. Put i never thought to use the rings as a rack....... Handy, handy
thanks for this post.
That is a great idea! So glad you shared.
Aren't you smart! I would never have thought of using the rings to set the jars on! How great that you are canning the pepperocini peppers....my grandson LOVES those! :-) I'll have to get a plant or two! Right now none of my pepper plants are healthy....I assume because of the heat. I am SOOOO looking forward to the end of September! I should have a wonderful fall yield of things....I hope! :-)
I sure am glad you shared these great ideas. I never would have thought of the way you hooked the lids together and have always thought you had to have a full batch so this will save produce that might have otherwise gone bad! Thanks Candy!
This is such a great idea--I tend to can in large batches, but sometimes you have just a few of that special vegetable. Perfect!
Love this idea... so glad you found it & shared it with us. Could you share your pickling recipe with me?
Canning! I love to can, but better still I like to look at all the food we grew and can now enjoy through the very long clod winters we have. I use a pressure canner though. Enjoy your bounty
I use the rack from my Presto 4-quart pressure cooker to can in
smaller pots. but like the canning
lid idea!!
HAPPY CANNING!!!!!
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