The Gentle Harvest

There’s something deeply satisfying about preserving your own food—knowing exactly what’s in each jar, the joy of opening up something cozy in the middle of winter, and the confidence that comes with stocking your pantry with home-canned goodness. If you’ve been wanting to try canning but feel overwhelmed by all the equipment and steps, don’t worry! I was completely overwhelmed before I started too. Today, I’m breaking down the essential tools and supplies you’ll need to get started with water bath canning—the best method for beginners!

Equipment

1. Canning Jars & Lids – Mason jars are a must! They come in different sizes, but for beginners, I recommend starting with pint or quart jars. I also personally like wide-mouth jars better than regular-mouth, but it is all essentially personal preference. You’ll also need new canning lids (the flat metal piece) and screw bands to hold them in place during processing.
2. Water Bath Canner – This is simply a large pot deep enough to cover your jars with at least an inch of water. The larger the jars you use, the bigger the pot needs to be. If you don’t have a dedicated canner, a deep stockpot with a rack at the bottom can work.
3. Canning Rack – IMPORTANT! This keeps your jars off the direct heat of the pot, preventing breakage. Many water bath canners come with a rack, but you can also use a silicone trivet or DIY one with canning rings.
4. Jar Lifter – Hot jars + boiling water = a dangerous combo! A jar lifter helps you safely place jars in and out of the canner without burning yourself.
5. Bubble Remover & Headspace Tool – Removing air bubbles ensures a proper seal, and a headspace tool helps measure the right amount of space at the top of each jar. (A clean chopstick and ruler can work in a pinch!)
6. Ladle & Funnel – A ladle makes filling jars easier, and a wide-mouth funnel prevents spills and sticky messes.
7. Clean Towels & Paper Towels – Wipe jar rims before sealing to ensure a proper seal, and set your processed jars on a clean towel on your counter to sit. I also like filling my jars when they are sitting on a towel. It helps with clean up!

Basic Ingredients for Water Bath Canning

• High-acid foods – Water bath canning is great for foods with high acidity, like fruits, jams, jellies, pickles, and tomatoes (with added lemon juice or citric acid).
• Vinegar, Sugar, or Lemon Juice – These help preserve food and maintain safe acidity levels.
• Pectin (optional) – If you’re making jams and jellies, pectin helps them set.

Canning Safety Tips

• Always use a tested recipe from a trusted source (like Ball Canning or the USDA). I have a link to my favorite canning book on my favorites page.
• Check that your jars have sealed properly after processing—lids should not pop when pressed.
• Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place and label them with the date.

Ready to Start Canning?

If this feels like a lot, don’t stress! Start small with a simple jam or pickle recipe to get comfortable with the process. And if you need a visual guide, check out my Instagram post where I walk through these beginner essentials step by step! Let me know in the comments—what’s the first thing you want to can this season?

Happy preserving! 🍓🥒🍑