Every Home Canner Needs To Know These Things
Every Home Canner Needs To Know These Things  
Podcast: Pantry Chat - Homesteading Family
Published On: Sat Oct 18 2025
Description: In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we're taking the fear out of canning and putting confidence back in your kitchen. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve tried so many tutorials and still don’t feel like I actually know what I’m doing,” or “I’m terrified I’ll waste good food or make my family sick,” this one is for you. I'm breaking canning safety down into simple, step-by-step principles so you can stock your shelves with jars you trust.What we coverWhy a sealed lid alone does not equal safe food, and what actually makes a jar shelf-stable.The pH "line in the sand" at 4.6, why it matters, and how it guides every canning decision.Exactly when boiling water bath canning is safe, and when you must pressure can.How heat, thickness, and circulation inside the jar impact safety.Common myths that lead to botulism risk, and the simple habits that keep you safe.Using approved recipes, what “acidifying” means for tomatoes and borderline foods.Reliable sources for tested recipes, so you’re not stuck in conflicting advice.Key takeawaysHigh-acid foods can be safely water bath canned because molds and yeast are easy to kill at boiling temperatures.Low-acid foods like meats, vegetables, and most full-meal recipes require pressure canning to reliably reach about 250°F.Approved recipes exist to control pH, density, and processing time so you can stop guessing and start knowing.If you can follow a cake recipe, you will be able to can safely at home.Resources mentionedCheck out all our canning resources, and to watch this podcast episode, on the website here: Free Canning Safety Training for visual learners: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-canningTrusted recipe sources: Ball Blue Book, the National Center for Home Food Preservation, and Homestead Kitchen Magazine’s master-preserver approved recipesSponsor A big thank you to Azure Standard for making bulk, vetted pantry staples affordable. New customers get 15% off a first order of 100 dollars or more with code HomesteadingFamily15.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MORE ABOUT US!WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHytYour Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homeAnd hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice.