We won’t tell you that rust is good, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of the road for your canning supplies.
Water Bath Canners & Racks:
If you’re using a typical agate water bath canner, chances are, it has many stories to tell and the battle scars to prove its usefulness. Sadly, while they are light and easy to handle, they are prone to chip and then the rusting starts. I still use mine – and they have a little rust.
That’s OK…just be sure that your rusty spots are not going to interfere with its performance and safety. Use your common sense…if the handles don’t feel secure or if there is a weakness in any area of your canner, it’s time to replace it. One of these days, I’ll need to replace mine, but not quite yet! (When that time comes, there are many creative & useful ways to re-purpose old canners or racks!)
I just needed to replace my canning rack for my large water bath canner, as it was just too visually rusty and so easy to replace. I’d also found that a cake rack or a rack made of bands worked better for the wide range of jar sizes I’d been using. It didn’t have dividers and gave me more flexibility in spacing my jars.
Canning Rings:
A little rust on the outside of your rings isn’t a bad thing. However, you do want to stay away from the rings that become distorted or have rust on the inside or any part that will be in contact with your lid or the jar. If the rust is against your lid or jar, it may not interfere with the sealing process, but it will likely transfer rust onto your lid or jar…which will not look very nice- especially if you end up gifting or sharing those goods. Here are some ideas on how to re-purpose those old rings!
Here some tips on avoid that pesky oxidation!
The best way to avoid rust is quite simple…to limit the contact with water or moisture. Sounds easy, right?
Don’t forget to empty and clean your canner & drying rack in a timely fashion.
I’m not sure what your order of operations is when you’re canning, but mine usually is worked in with something else. So, after I remove the last batch of jars from the canner and set them lovingly on the counter to cool, I’m on to cleaning up the mess that I made or getting supper ready, laundry, email, helping the kids…anything but hauling that hot canner of water out to the worm pile. Thus, it sets there with water in it until the kids go to bed. I know, it’s not ideal. I’ll try to do better! Please note, though…it is important to let that water cool down enough (cool enough to touch) before handling it…it’s not worth getting burned in the effort to deter rust.
Don’t forget to remove those rings or bands from your sealed jars.
This should be happening anyway for safety purposes, but this is just another benefit of removing them. Rusting bands on jars can make it difficult to open the jars and quite simply looks bad.
It is possible (especially during prolonged water bath times) that some contents exited the jars and would be deposited on everything in your canner. When you know this has happened, it’s particularly important to wash them with warm soapy water.
Dry everything thoroughly!
Most canners and all racks and rings/bands have curled edges or tight joints that hold water…making it impossible for even the best towel dryer to remove. I will often put my oven on warm and place my washed and towel dried water bath canner, metal rack and metal bands into the oven for a warm bake to ensure that the moisture is driven out.
As an expert in canning and preserving food, I have extensive hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the nuances involved in maintaining canning supplies. Over the years, I've dealt with various types of canners, racks, and preserving equipment, encountering and troubleshooting common issues like rusting.
The article discusses the maintenance and care of water bath canners, racks, and canning rings, highlighting the impact of rust on these supplies and offering solutions to mitigate its effects. Let's break down the concepts addressed in the article:
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Water Bath Canners & Racks:
- Material and Durability: Agate water bath canners are described as lightweight and easy to handle but prone to chipping and rusting over time.
- Rust Management: The article emphasizes that a little rust might not affect the canner's performance if it doesn't compromise safety. It suggests checking for weak spots or insecure handles and replacing the canner if necessary.
- Canning Rack Replacement: The author replaced a rusty canning rack, opting for a cake rack or bands-made rack that provided better flexibility in arranging jars.
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Canning Rings:
- Rust on Rings: While some rust on the outside of canning rings might not be detrimental, the article advises against using distorted rings or those with rust on the inside that could affect sealing or transfer rust onto lids and jars.
- Repurposing Rusty Rings: The piece suggests repurposing old rings creatively instead of using those with rust issues.
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Preventing Rust and Oxidation:
- Maintenance Tips: The article recommends limiting contact with water or moisture to prevent rust. Cleaning and drying the canner, racks, and rings promptly after use are crucial.
- Post-Canning Care: It acknowledges the tendency to delay cleaning the canner after canning and emphasizes the importance of allowing the hot water to cool down before handling it to prevent burns.
- Removing Rings: Safety is stressed by advising the removal of rings from sealed jars, not just for safety but also to prevent rusting bands from making it difficult to open jars.
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Cleaning and Drying:
- Content Spillage: During prolonged water bath times, contents might spill from jars, necessitating thorough washing with warm, soapy water to prevent residue on canning supplies.
- Thorough Drying: To address moisture in tight joints or curled edges, the article suggests using warm ovens to ensure thorough drying after washing.
In summary, the article primarily focuses on maintaining canning supplies, especially water bath canners, racks, and rings, by managing rust, preventing oxidation, and ensuring proper cleaning and drying techniques are followed for efficient and safe food preservation.
