Pressure Canning

Pressure canning is the only way to safely preserve low-acid foods and store them in jars on your shelf but it does require a special piece of equipment and some technical know-how. We have gathered information here to show you all about pressure canning and how to do it. 

PRESSURE CANNING MEATS​

All low acid foods must be processed in a pressure canner. Temperatures of at least 240°F (116°C) are required to eliminate the risk of botulism and the only way to achieve this temperature is in a pressure canner. Low acid foods include:

• Meat, game, poultry, fish and seafood
• Soups and stews
• Vegetables
• Tomato-vegetable mixtures (for example, stewed tomato mixtures, vegetable juices and pasta sauces)

Learn how to pressure can poultry, seafood and red meats by visiting the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

PRESSURE CANNING VEGETABLES

Organisms that cause food spoilage–moulds, yeasts and bacteria–are present everywhere in the air, soil and water. Enzymes that may cause undesirable changes in flavour, colour and texture are present in raw vegetables.

When vegetables are canned, they are heated hot enough and long enough to destroy spoilage organisms. This heating (or processing) also stops the action of enzymes.

Pressure canning is the only safe method of canning all vegetables (except tomatoes). Jars of food are placed in a pressure canner which is heated to a temperature of at least 240°F (116°C). This temperature can be reached only in a pressure canner.

Learn how to pressure can vegetables by visiting the National Center for Home Food Preservation.