How to Store Canned Food
Authored by Carol J. Alexander
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Authored by Carol J. Alexander
You’ve grown the food and worked hard to preserve it in jars. You’ve heard the tell-tale pings of jar lids sealing. And, you’ve let everything cool to room temperature. So, now it’s time to decide where to store those 85 jars of green beans, 15 jars of jam and 45 jars of tomatoes. Surely, everything won’t fit in your pantry.
Before squirreling away your food for the winter, there are a few things to do to prepare the jars for storage.
Ideally, you want to store full canning jars in a clean, dark, dry place between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t have a root cellar or basement, avoid storing them in a warm location, like next to hot water pipes or the stove. Heat causes the food to lose quality in a short time and possibly spoil. Instead of the kitchen pantry, where it’s warm, choose an unused closet or utility room. It’s also important to avoid places where the temperature fluctuates, like in an uninsulated attic or outdoor storage building. Freezing not only changes food texture but causes jars and seals to break.
Keep your canned goods dry, as dampness causes the lids to rust. And always store jars off the floor on sturdy shelving away from direct sunlight.
For best quality, consume home canned foods within a year, or two at the longest. Lid manufacturers warranty seals for 18 months. High-acid foods you’ve processed in a water bath usually have a shorter shelf life. Heat low-acid foods to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating.
Sometimes, home canned foods look a little suspicious. Before opening, discard jars of food with bulging lids, broken seals, or visible mold. But dark fruit or food above the fluid level is safe to eat. Throw out food from any jar that spurts when you open it. And, before eating, look at the food and smell it. Never taste any food with a strange odor. When in doubt, throw it out.
We understand the satisfaction growing and preserving your own fruits and vegetables brings. That’s why we carry everything you need to can your own jams, pickles, and more.