By Andi Anderson
As home gardeners prepare for summer harvests, Illinois Extension is providing a valuable service to help them preserve their produce safely. Free dial-gauge pressure canner testing is now available to ensure equipment works properly before the canning season begins.
Home canning is a great way to store fruits, vegetables, and even meats. While high-acid foods like jams can be safely processed using boiling water bath methods, low-acid foods such as vegetables and meats must be processed using pressure canning. This method ensures that harmful bacteria like Clostridium botulinum are destroyed.
Dial gauges on pressure canners can become inaccurate over time. Caitlin Mellendorf, nutrition and wellness educator, emphasizes, “If the dial gauge is not measuring the correct pressure, foods inside the pressure canner may be under-processed, which increases the risk of serious illness from botulism.” To avoid this, Illinois Extension recommends having pressure canners tested annually.
Testing is quick and easy. Each test takes about 15 minutes per canner and is completely free of charge. To find the closest testing location, visit the Pressure Canner Testing Sites map on the Illinois Extension website.
In addition to testing services, Illinois Extension provides a variety of resources for safe food preservation. In-person classes are available across the state, covering canning, freezing, drying, and fermentation techniques.
For those who prefer to learn at home, recorded videos from the Canning with Confidence and Fill Your Pantry series are also accessible online.
To support your canning efforts this season, explore the newly updated Food Preservation website from Illinois Extension. With free services, educational programs, and trusted information, home canners can feel confident preserving the flavors of summer.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Illinois, Education, Rural Lifestyle