Nutrition & Health

When in doubt, throw it out! Leftovers can be a lifesaver when you need a meal in a hurry, but unfortunately they don’t last forever. Or even a long time. And no, turning leftovers into another kind of leftover does not extend the life of the original food. Keeping food at proper temperatures and…

There has been no testing with monk fruit sweeteners to determine their effects on pH Monk fruit sweetener is becoming popular amongst people looking for alternatives to sugar. Its sweetness is derived not from traditional fructose sugar molecules in the fruit, but from extracted chemicals that provide…

Canning basics: The difference between volume capacity and jar capacity. Looking to acquire a new (or used) pressure canner? One consideration when evaluating whether a pressure canner will suit your needs is the size of the device. It’s important to distinguish between volume capacity and jar capacity …

Canning basics: What qualifies a pressure cooking device as a canning device? Like the old gradeschool analogy, “a Cadillac is a car, but a car is not a Cadillac,” a pressure canner is a pressure cooker, but a pressure cooker may not necessarily be a pressure canner. What qualifies a pressure cooking…

Canning Basics: Research disputes manufacturers' claims regarding safety. Electric “multi-use” pressure cookers are all the rage these days, with good reason.  One simple device can be used for many cooking applications, saving time and energy (as well as other benefits). Unfortunately, despite…

Canning Basics: If sub-zero, separate the gauge before storing the canner. There’s no question that a pressure canner can take up a lot of cabinet or pantry space.  As it’s an appliance that typically is not used on a daily or very frequent basis, many people opt to store their pressure canner in a…

Canning Basics: Annual test of dial gauge ensures accuracy. If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, its gauge should be tested annually for accuracy (pressure canners with weighted gauges do not need to be tested for accuracy).  Using a dial gauge that reads too high can result in under…

Canning Basics: Pressure Canner Maintenance A properly maintained and stored pressure canner will help ensure safe processing and years of use. Here are some brief tips on what to do before and after each use.Before each use inspect the vent, safety valve and gaskets and clean/replace as…

Minimum load guidance is good practice.  Several years ago, Ball published new guidance for the minimum number of jars (“minimum load”) that should be processed in each pressure canner load, stating that in order to ensure that proper pressure and temperature is achieved for safe processing, the…

Mineral deposits on pressure canners can be removed and prevented.  Aluminum pressure canners can become darkened on their insides over time. This discoloration, which is caused by the accumulation of mineral deposits, is not harmful. But should you find it unsightly, it’s fairly easy to remove.To do so…