Morrill County E x tension offers pressure canner testing and home canning safety tips
On Thursday, June 12, and Thursday, June 26, the Morrill County Extension Office, located at 514 Main St., Bridgeport, NE, will offer testing for PRESTO pressure canner digital dials. Food, Nutrition, and Health Instructor Ashley Fenning will be able to help you assess the accuracy of your gauge and inspect your canner lid. Unfortunately, we are only able to test PRESTO canners due to the testing device available to us. If you are a home preservation enthusiast, please bring your lid down between 1:00 and 5:00 PM on either day, and we can diagnose any issues you may have with your canner before the canning season gets underway.
Why Home Canning Safety Matters As the popularity of home food preservation continues to grow, experts are reminding consumers of the importance of using pressure canners to safely process low-acid foods, such as red meats, seafood, poultry, most vegetables, and combination foods like meat sauces, soups, and stews. Unlike water bath canning, which is suitable for high-acid foods such as jams, jellies, and acidified or fermented items like pickled vegetables, pressure canning is the only safe method for preserving low-acid products.
