4 Steps to Stress-Free Canning
October 4, 2010
Each year around the Holidays, our close friends give us a gift of canned beef. It is such an anticipated treat, and we can enjoy it anytime during the year. Home canning has regained popularity in recent years. If you are interested in trying your hand at canning, follow these tips for to ensure a smooth process:
1. Educate Yourself – Canning food is not particularly tough or time-consuming, but timing is critical. Research and follow the pressure, time and temperature guidelines when canning to ensure that you produce safe food.
2. Purchase Supplies in Advance – Make sure you have all the supplies you need before getting started, including glass canning jars, metal lids, jar lifter, canner and canning rack. There are many different canners out there to choose from, but the pressure canner offers the most flexibility. In addition to fruits, jams and jellies, it can used to can meats, dairy and veggies.
3. Stay Organized – Because timing is so critical when canning, it is very important that you stay organized throughout the process. The goal is to move the food as quickly as possible from the preparation stage to the sealing stage to reduce the risk of food spoilage. You can do this by taking a few minutes before you jump in to organize your supplies, read your instructions, and plan out your steps. Keep your instructions handy for quick reference during each step.
4. Label – Don’t forget to label your jars with the contents and the date it was canned. If you are making these for gifts, use fun labels to dress your jars up and make them more festive.
Preserving food not only avoids waste, but it can be a great way to save money. If the store is having a great sale, you can stock up and preserve the extra through canning. Homemade jams and jellies, as well as many other canned foods, can also make great birthday, housewarming, hostess, and holiday gifts. If you get started now, you will be ready just in time for the holidays!
-Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.
Visit Organize-It to view our selection of Canning Products.
Product of the Week – Motorized Tie Rack
October 4, 2010
For the man with lots of ties! Or belts?
Simple Kitchen Storage Helpers
September 30, 2010
Click on each image to learn more.
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Stop struggling with your kitchen wraps with this organizer. No more slamming every type of wrap you own into a drawer because it doesn’t fit properly or just too crowded. This solution holds up to 9 rolls of wrappers and can be easily tucked under a sink, in a cabinet or the pantry. |
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The adjustable shelf organizer helps you identify and select items clearly. Rummaging through tons of spices, toppings, or ingredients on one level is a pain. Save your time and frustation by using this organizer because visibility & accessibility is key! |
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This lazy susan is far from lazy, it does all the work for you! It literally doubles your storage space and makes accessing items in your cabinet convenient. |
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A rotating mug rack really does help you space in your cabinets. The rotating feature makes it easy to grab each cup wherever it ends up. |
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If you want to boot out your mugs from your cabinet completely, then this is stylish option that could be integrated with any decor. |
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Do you have wire shelving in your pantry? Sick of things falling through or tipping over? These shelf liners do just the trick. |
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This vertical Lid rack for your pots saves you the trouble of scattered lids and places them in one easily accessible place organized by size. Mounted to your cabinet door, you’ll never have to get on your hands & knees to look for them again! |
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Have extra space for these on your shelf? They simply slide onto a shelf up to 3/4″ thick allowing you to store more in your pantry. |
Now that you’ve got a few organizers to stir up some ideas, organize that kitchen to make it a cooking haven!
For more kitchen storage ideas, visit Organize-It.