The #1 Canning Rule You CANNOT Break

In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we’re diving deep into canning safety because just getting food into a jar and hearing that little pop doesn’t automatically mean it’s safe. If you’ve ever worried about botulism, felt nervous using your pressure canner, or found yourself staring at jars on the shelf wondering, “Is this really okay to feed my family?” this video is for you.

We’ll walk step by step through the science behind safe canning and explain what’s really happening inside those jars. You’ll learn exactly when a boiling water bath is enough and when you need to use a pressure canner to keep your family safe.

In this video, you’ll learn:
✅ Why a sealed lid isn’t enough to guarantee safety
✅ The importance of 4.6 pH and what it means for your food
✅ When to use a water bath canner and when to use a pressure canner
✅ How to safely can low-acid foods like meats, beans, and vegetables
✅ Why approved recipes matter and where to find them
✅ How to acidify borderline foods like tomatoes and figs
✅ The most common canning mistakes and how to avoid them

By the end, you’ll understand exactly what makes home-canned food safe and how to can with confidence every single time.

Resources mentioned:
🎥 Free Canning Safety Training: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-canning

📘 Trusted recipe sources:
- Check out more canning resources and other tips in the blog post that accompanies this video: https://homesteadingfamily.com/preservation-101-intro-to-canning/
- Ball Blue Book: https://homesteadingfamily.com/new-ball-book-of-canning-b
- The National Center for Home Food Preservation: https://nchfp.uga.edu/
- Homestead Kitchen Magazine’s master-preserver approved recipes: https://homesteadingfamily.com/in-the-homestead-kitchen-yt

Sponsor:
A big thank you to Azure Standard, our go-to source for bulk pantry staples we trust. You can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more with code "HomesteadingFamily15" at checkout: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to Everyday Homesteading
02:15 Why canning safety matters
06:30 Understanding pH and botulism
10:55 Water bath vs pressure canning
17:40 Using approved recipes
21:00 Acidifying borderline foods
25:00 Common mistakes and myths
30:00 How to can safely at home

If this video helps you feel more confident about canning, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with a friend who’s ready to fill her shelves safely.

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MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
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A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

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FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
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- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
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- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT
- Fermenting Tomatoes - Easiest and fastest tomato preservation: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. https://homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT
- Grandma Lynn's Blueberry Buckle - A delicious dessert anytime of year: https://homesteadingfamily.com/BB_YT