Test pressure canner gauges now

Spring is here, which means it is time to get canning supplies and equipment checked and ready to use. It is a good time to brush up on safe canning techniques.

Before using it, be sure to get the dial gauge of your pressure canner tested. The spring in the dial gauge can get worn out or stuck, so it needs to be tested annually.

Any low acid foods, like vegetables, meats and some tomato products, need to be canned under pressure in order to reach the temperature required to destroy the disease-causing microorganisms that could be present.

If a pressure gauge is not accurate, it could create an environment inside the canning jar that is not only unsafe but is instead the perfect breeding ground for growing the pathogens. The contamination cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, so the only way to ensure that the food is safe is to preserve it in the correct way.

Pressure canner gauges can be tested at most MU Extension offices in southwest Missouri. Some county extension offices have a minimal charge to test gauges.

MU Extension has guides and publications explaining how to get started canning and step-by-step instructions on how to use a pressure canner online and at most offices.

MU Extension guide sheets cover topics like canning vegetables, fruits, jams and jellies, tomatoes and tomato products, pickles and pickled products and meat, fish and poultry.

For those wanting to learn pressure canning or need recipes, the Greene County Extension Center also sells the 196-page book, “Complete Guide to Home Canning” for $18.

Greene County MU Extension is hosting some food preservation classes during June in Springfield. More information online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.

For more information on nutrition contact any of these nutrition specialists in southwest Missouri: Dr. Pam Duitsman in Greene County at (417) 881-8909; Lindsey Gordon Stevenson in Barton County at (417) 682-3579; Stephanie Johnson in Howell County at (417) 256-2391 or Mary Sebade in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551. The regional office of the Family Nutrition Education Program is located in Springfield and can be reached at (417) 886-2059. Nutrition information is also available online http://extension.missouri.edu.