Post by endofroadfarm on Feb 21, 2019 6:18:07 GMT
One of the most important pieces of food preparedness equipment that anyone can have on hand, is a pressure canner! It enables you to take vegetables, fruit and meat and preserve them in a state that makes them edible for years. While it is true, you can just buy foods already canned commercially, it's my humble opinion that there is no comparison in taste or in savings. Most people that are reading this, I would assume, already have a canner and does their own canning. If however, you do not, allow me to make some suggestions. I would steer clear of these new electric versions, not because I don't think they work properly but because if the time comes when the grid is down, you wouldn't be able to use it, barring running a generator or having a solar/wind/hydro system that was still operational. I personally like the type with the pressure gauge, but the rattle trap ones work just as well. I would also suggest getting one that doesn't require a rubber seal. My personal one is an old Presto 7B, it is probably 40 years old or so and the rubber seal finally gave up the ghost this canning season. I replaced it and it was good as new but the ones that require a film of oil around the sealing lip are a lot more convenient. I ordered extra gaskets, so if you have one that requires them, you might want to think about that. Around here, pressure canners are easy to find used at flea markets and yard sales. I would imagine that Goodwill and other thrift stores would be a good place to locate used ones as well. Mine was handed down from my mother to me, so I knew it's condition and how it had been used and cared for throughout the years. That is the only problem with buying used, you just don't know. Caution should be used the first time you bring it up to pressure. Well caution should be used every time, but really pay attention the first time. I have canned on my electric range in the house, I have used a propane turkey fryer and have done it over a wood fire. It is a very versatile tool in the preppers arsenal for food preparedness. Take care of it, have spare parts to keep it serviceable and it will last a couple of lifetimes. I will be on the lookout for another one this year, as I become more uneasy about the current atmosphere of our times, I have rededicated my prepping efforts and am trying to adhere to the age old prepper adage: "One is none, two is one and three is even better".
