Publications: Methods

This collection of documents from University Extension offices nationwide provides overviews of preservation methods. Note that some documents only refer to using a boiling water canner (aka water bath canner), but you may also use an atmospheric steam canner to can high acid foods such as fruits, pickled products, as well as jams and jellies.

Research on food preservation is ongoing – recommendations may have changed since the release of some documents. Please refer to the National Center for Home Food Preservation for the most current recommendations.

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Canning

10 Tips for Safe Home-Canned Food, Kansas State Research and Extension, MF 3170, 2014
12 Steps to Successful Canning, Utah State University Cooperative Extension
Acidifying Canned Products for Safety, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Alternatives to Smooth Top Ranges, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Approved Canning Methods: Types of Canners, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2019
Ask a Specialist: Safety First When Canning Garden Produce, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, 2015
Available Moisture in Foods: What Is It Anyway?, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Avoiding Common (Major and Minor) Canning Mistakes, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, Publication FN/Food Preservation/2009-01, 2017
Basics of Home Canning, Purdue University Extension, HHS-799-W, 2015
The Basics of Safe Canning, University of Missouri Extension
Canners and Canning Methods that are Not Recommended, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2015
Canning Basics, UC Master Food Preserver Program, 2019
Canning Foods at Home, Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet HGIC 3040, 2020
Canning on Smooth Top Ranges, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Canning Reminders, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Canning with Half-Gallon Canning Jars, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Canning Terms: Packing and Processing, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Choose The Right Canner for Home Canning, Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet HGIC 3025, 2011
Common Canning Questions, Washington State University Clark County Extension
Complete Guide to Home Canning: Guide 1, Principles of Home Canning, United States Department of Agriculture, 2015
Cook Surface Precautions for Home Canning, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, Publication FN/Food Preservation/2009-03, 2009
Filling Formula: Don't Pack Too Tight, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Food Preservation Resources, Washington State University Extension, C1117E, 2014
Pressure Canner Use and Care, Oregon State University Extension Service, SP 50-649, 2013
Using Preserved Food Safely, Oregon State University Extension Service, SP 50-494, 2014
Get Ready for Canning Season, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Guidelines for Safe Canning of Acid Foods in a Steam Canner, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 8573, 2017
Guidelines of using an Atmospheric Steam Canner for Home Food Preservation, Oregon State University Extension Service, SP 50-1004, 2015
Guidelines for Using a Steam Canner for Home Food Preservation, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension
Home Canning Equipment, Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet HGIC 3020, 2020
Home-canning Using Boiling Water Canners and Pressure Canners, Montana State University Extension, MT200905HR, 2017
Home Processing of Acid Foods in Atmospheric Steam and Boiling Water Canners, Food Protection Trends, Vol 35, No. 3, p. 150-
How to Guide to Pressure Canning, Kansas State Research and Extension, MF 3242, 2015
How to Guide to Water Bath Canning and Steam Canning, Kansas State Research and Extension, MF 3241, 2015
How to Use an Atmospheric Steam Canner for Acid and Acidified Foods, Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet HGIC 3472, 2020
Basics of Home Canning, Penn State University Extension, Code EE0066, 2019
Most Frequently Asked Canning Questions, Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet HGIC 3051, 2012
New (and Not So New) Canning Tools, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
No Pressure Canning in Electric Pressure and Multi-Cookers, University of Wyoming, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension, 2019
Preserving Color and Preventing Browning of Foods, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Preserving Foods, Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet HGIC 3000, 2020
Pressure Canner Dial Gauge Testing, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Principles of Boiling Water Canning, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, Publication FN/Food Preservation/2008-03, 2017
Principles of Pressure Canning, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, Publication FN/Food Preservation/2008-04, 2017
Questions and Answers About Using a Boiling Water-bath Canner, North Dakota State University Extension Service, FN 1425, 2015
Questions and Answers About Using a Pressure Canner, North Dakota State University Extension Service, FN 1415, 2018
Reasons for Failure in Canning, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, 2005
Safe and Successful Home Canning, University of Missouri Extension
Safely Canning Foods: Pessure Canners, Pressure Cookers, and Electric Pressure Cookers, Oregon State University Extension Service, EM 9152, 2016
Selecting a Canning or Processing Method, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Steam Canners: Use and Precautions, Oregon State University Extension Service, SP 50-1005, 2019
Tighten Your Lids - But Not Too Tight, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Troubleshooting General Canning Problems, North Carolina State University Extension
Use Tested Recipes to Preserve Food, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Using and Caring for a Pressure Canner, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, B2593, 1995
Using and Caring for Your Pressure Canner, Pacific Northwest Extension, PNW 421, 2013
Watch the Headspace, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Where Do You Find Safe, Reliable Canning Recipes?, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Why Add Lemon Juice to Tomatoes and Salsa Before Canning?, North Dakota State University Extension Service, FN 1396, 2018
Why Blanch?, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Why Electric Pressure Cookers Are Not Pressure Canners, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, Publication FN/Appliances/2020-01pr, 2020
Why Foods Need to Be Preserved, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Why is Liquid Lost During Canning?, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Why Mason-type Canning Jars, Clemson University Cooperative Extension

Dehydrating

Dehydrating Basics, UC Master Food Preserver Program, 2019
Drying Food Indoors, UC Master Food Preserver Program, 2019

Freezing

Freezing Basics, UC Master Food Preserver Program, 2019
Freezing Tips, UC Master Food Preserver Program, 2020
Understanding the Process of Freezing, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018

General

Advice about Vinegar, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2020
Ask a Specialist: Five Tips for Proper Food Preservation, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, 2016
Best Practices for Canning and Freezing, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Canning and Freezing Questions and Answers, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2017
Cost of Preserving and Storing Foods, Colorado State University Extension, Fact Sheet 8.704, 2008
Eight Reasons to Consider Canning, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, 2018
Ensuring a Good Seal on Canned Goods, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2019
Food Preservation Techniques, Utah State University Cooperative Extension
Food Preservation with Reduced or No Salt or Sugar, University of Wyoming, 2022
Frequently Asked Preservation Question: Buckling Lids, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Frequently Asked Preservation Question: Pinholes in Lids, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Is My Sealed Jar Safe?, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2020
Ingredients Used in Home Food Preservation, Penn State University Extension, Code EE0164, 2019
Plan Now for Summer Canning, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2019
Prepare for the Canning Season, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2018
Storing Canning Supplies, Penn State University Extension, Articles, 2019
What's Your Elevation, Kansas State Research and Extension, MF 3172, 2014
Where Do You Find Safe, Reliable Canning Recipes?, Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Why Mason-type Canning Jars, Clemson University Cooperative Extension