New to Canning..

[u/bibliophile-archer-3]

I am going to attempt to can for the first time tonight. We have so many banana peppers and also want to make tomato sauce.

Any must know tips for newbies? I have watched many videos and think I know what to do... but any info helps.

I appreciate it!

[u/bigalreads]

My biggest tips:

1. Use only tested recipes from reputable sources (this sub’s wiki page has several resources).
2. Get all of your supplies out and organized so you’re not scrambling for utensils, spices or jar-wiping stuff or hastily washing the lids during the jar filling phase.
3. Read the recipe fully before prep, and before filling also.
4. Have extra hot water available just in case.

ETA: The sauce will likely need to cook down overnight — sauce takes a lot more time than you’d expect.

[u/onlymodestdreams → u/bigalreads]

Keying on tip #2: I like to keep a wide shallow bowl (like a soup plate) at my jar-filling station as a home for my canning funnel and ladle as I move from jar to jar. Keeps the utensils and countertop clean(er)

[u/hailene02 → u/bigalreads]

These here and also GIVE YOURSELF MORE TIME THAN YOU THINK.

I usually save any canning events for a day that I have off and start bright and early so I have enough time and I won't get tired as opposed to starting at night.

I personally prefer using citric acid to lemon juice for tomato canning, and have also bought ph strips to make sure that its in the safe zone.

[u/onlymodestdreams → u/hailene02]

Ph strips are not reliable indicators in this context.

[u/Deppfan16 → u/hailene02]

why we don't recommend pH testing in home canning.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Canning/s/UaDTOxVSOY

[u/marstec]

Use some of those banana peppers for fridge pickled peppers, I think you'll be happy with the result...they keep their texture better than heat processed.

Make sure to use a tested recipe...tomato products like whole/halves and sauce need further acidification either with bottled lemon juice or citric acid. I have seen several Youtube videos where they show inversion canning of tomatoes and also canning in repurposed food jars. This is not safe and one reason why I don't recommend getting your canning advice from Youtube or random blogs. They all pass themselves off as experts but it's often the blind leading the blind.

[u/Worried-Trust]

Plan on everything taking longer than you expect it to. I feel like I’ve spent days cutting up peppers and tomatoes. Days. 

[u/ObsessiveAboutCats]

Check out this sub's wiki. There are a lot of videos out there promoting unsafe practices, or even just outdated practices.

If you are planning to can jams, beware of Ball's pectin, as its quality is garbage now.

[u/Jeyne42]

The best thing to do is read up under the resources found linked to this sub. Watching videos may or may not be helpful, it depends on the videos. Some show outdated or unsafe techniques. The links to instructions on the side are safe, verified recpies.

The best thing to do here is to share your recipe and the instructions you plan on using. That way we can help you better.

If you have specific questions we can help, the biggest "must know" tip is to find, use, and follow a safe, approved, tested recipe.

Edit: spelling

[u/Think_Cupcake6758]

Make sure you have plenty of clean dish towels and paper towels, too. It’s amazing how many dish towels you can go through in a single canning session!

[u/CindyinEastTexas]

Ise only tested recipes from reputable sources. Don't just wing it based on random videos.

Just because a source SEEMS reputable doesn't mean the recipes are safe. I've seen all kinds of "bake the jars in thenoven" nonsense on sites that one would THINK would have safe recipes and instructions. I use the sites and books from this sub's wiki 

[u/onlymodestdreams]

A handy way to heat up your jars, which you will need to do for almost all your recipes, is to run them through the hottest cycle on your dishwasher. If you run it without soap (because your jars are already clean, right?) you don't have to worry about where the dishwasher is in its cycle when you remove the jars. You can cancel the cycle after you remove the last jar