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May 2025Archived
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UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Canner Gauges May Be Affected by Improper Storage

May 6, 2026
Canning Basics: If sub-zero, separate the gauge before storing the canner. There’s no question that a pressure canner can take up a lot of cabinet or pantry space.  As it’s an appliance that typically is not used on a daily or very frequent basis, many people opt to store their pressure canner in a…
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UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Get Your Dial Gauge Tested Annually

May 6, 2026
Canning Basics: Annual test of dial gauge ensures accuracy. If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, its gauge should be tested annually for accuracy (pressure canners with weighted gauges do not need to be tested for accuracy).  Using a dial gauge that reads too high can result in under…
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UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Presreve it! Series: Quick Tips for Maintaining and Storing Your Canner

May 6, 2026
Canning Basics: Pressure Canner Maintenance A properly maintained and stored pressure canner will help ensure safe processing and years of use. Here are some brief tips on what to do before and after each use.Before each use inspect the vent, safety valve and gaskets and clean/replace as…
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UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: How to Test a Pressure Canner Dial Gauge at Home

May 6, 2026
Canning Basics: Use a weighted gauge to test a dial gauge's accuracy. Pressure canner dial gauges* should be tested annually for accuracy to ensure that food is not under-processed (and thus potentially unsafe) or over-processed (resulting in lower quality food). Many Cooperative Extension services will…
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UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Venting Pressure Canners is a Critical Step

May 6, 2026
Canning basics: Always vent the canner prior to bringing it to pressure. When pressure canning, it’s very important to vent the canner prior to bringing it to the proper pressure for the food/recipe you are processing. Always. Even if your pressure canner manual does not include instructions for venting…
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UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: Prevent Botulism with Proper Canning Procedures

May 6, 2026
Low acidity, a lack of oxygen, moisture and moderate temperatures are a perfect storm for toxin production.   Home canning is about more than creating a quality, shelf-stable product. When it really comes down to it, the home canning process is about making a safe product. That goal entails…
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UC Master Food Preservers of Central Sierra: Article

Preserve it! Series: How to Keep Your Pies Food Safe

May 6, 2026
Storage guidelines for homemade and commercial pies.  Whether you’re cranking out all the pies for the winter holidays (and are then faced with the question of where to keep them all), or you are making a single beautiful pie to bring to a hot summer gathering, keep your pies food safe with these…
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