I got the canner from Lehmans. Do some research on them. Mine doesn’t have a gasket, it’s a metal to metal seal between the lid and the pot, but I don’t know if that’s typical.
Regular Ball canning jars are what I use. The best thing to do about canning jars is to either garage sale for them or ask older women if they have any that they aren’t using. I’ve found that you can get them really cheap or for free from someone who doesn’t can anymore and would like to see the stuff go to a good home, where someone else does.
If you’re going to pick them up at garage sales, though, be sure to check the edge for nicks or chips that would make the jars unusable. Some people are unscrupulous about selling stuff you can’t use because of damage.
>>>I got the canner from Lehmans. Do some research on them. Mine doesn’t have a gasket, it’s a metal to metal seal between the lid and the pot, but I don’t know if that’s typical.<<<
The Lehman’s canners are made by All American with Lehman’s brand name on them. They are an excellent canner - the only one I know of that doesn’t have to use a gasket.
My only problem with Lehman’s is their prices... Their 21 1/2 quart canner is $249.00 and you can get the same canner from http://www.allamericancanner.com/ for $209.99. I got excellent service from them and I think jdoutrider got his there too.
I have the model 921 and love it!
Presto and Mirro are the other two main brands of canners and have several different features, and are less expensive.
Just be sure to get a canner and not a cooker......
If you’re going to pick them up at garage sales, though, be sure to check the edge for nicks or chips that would make the jars unusable. Some people are unscrupulous about selling stuff you can’t use because of damage.<<<
I would also suggest joining the local Free Cycle group and posting a request for them, for I see them asking and getting them in this area and it is not a canning area.
I save all glass jars.
Salt is cheap in a 20# bag and odd jars work fine for storage and the using of it.
“If you’re going to pick them up at garage sales, though, be sure to check the edge for nicks or chips that would make the jars unusable. “
Hubby mentioned this to me after I had talked to the couple about possibly buying his mom’s jars. Depending how many he has, it might be hard to go through every single one. I’m hoping the cost will be minimal so even if there’s some bad jars, it won’t matter. I was wondering though, if any jars have a nick, would they still be OK to use for storing something, like dried herbs or beans? Not heat/canning in them, but just storage with a closed lid? If so, then they would still be of some value.