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Canning Beets FAQs: Problems, Questions and Answers About Canning Beets

Canning Beets FAQs: Beets doneProblems, Questions and Answers About Canning Beets

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Canning beets (with a Pressure Canner, as is necessary and required for all low acid foods) is prrett easy.  Here are the common issues that can arise nonetheless, and how to solve them!

Reminder:.  Beets are a low acid food, so you cannot use a water bath canner .  It must be a pressure canner. (of course, pickled beets can be canned in a water bath canner, because ac id , in the form of vinegar, is added)Pressure canners cost more than water bath canners, but they are more versatile and last a lifetime, and your children and grandchildren may be using it.  I've had mine for 20 years and it looks good for another 50 years. See this page for more information about pressure canners.

See this FAQ for more details: Can I use a water-bath canner instead of a Pressure Canner for low acid foods?

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Fading color,: "Last night I canned my beets, but when I pulled them out of the pressure cooker, it looked like they were white and the liquid was red. What would of caused this. I am new to canning this year. So any tips would be good! Thank you"

    Beets might look pale red, washed out, yellow or pink after canning.  The taste, safety and quality of the beets isl not affected.

    This can be due to the variety of the beets. Detroit Dark Red and Ruby Queen are two dark pigmented varieties that should retain color.

    To help retain the color, leave an inch of the stem and roots on the beets when they are cooked. After cooking, slip skins off and remove top and stem.

    Acidity also  helps to retain the red color. Adding a teaspoon of vinegar, lemon juice or citric acid to each jar usually helps. 

    Presto (maker of pressure canners) also says that the loss of color from beets during canning may also be due to beets that are too old. If possible, can young, tender, very dark red beets which are freshly gathered.

     Precooking beets with 2 inches of the stem and all of the root on also helps to retain the juices. So, leave two inches of stem and tap root attached to the beets before boiling to remove the skins. Then trim the stem and root and slice, dice or leave whole for canning.

  • Is it safe to can beets in a traditional water bath? If so how long do you do process them?
    The answer, quite simply is no; you may not can beets in a boiling water bath (you MAY can "pickled beets" in a waterbath, but that is a different recipe!) Quoting from the Ohio State University Extension's Fact Sheet:
    "Pressure canning is the only safe method for home canning vegetables. Clostridium botulinum is the bacterium that causes botulism food poisoning in low-acid foods, such as vegetables. The bacterial spores are destroyed only when the vegetables are processed in a Pressure Canner at 240 degrees Fahrenheit (F) for the correct amount of time.

    Clostridium botulinum is the bacterium commonly found in vegetables and meats. It is harmless until it finds itself in a moist, low-acid, oxygen-free environment or a partial vacuum. Under these conditions, the bacterium can grow and produce toxins dangerous to people and animals.

    Do not process (low acid) vegetables using the boiling water bath because the botulinum bacteria can survive that method.

 

Pressure canners!

If you want to can low-acid foods such as red meats, sea food, poultry, milk, and all fresh vegetables with the exception of most tomatoes,  you will need a Pressure Canner.  These foods  fit into the low acid group since they have an acidity, or pH level, of 4.6 or greater. The temperature which must be reached and maintained (for a specified amount of time) to kill the bacteria is 240 F. Pressure canning is the only canning method recommended safe by the U.S.D.A. for low-acid foods such as vegetables, meats, and fish. Ordinary water bath canners can only reach 212 F and cannot to kill the types of bacteria that will grow in low acid foods. This temperature can be reached only by creating steam under pressure as achieved in quality pressure canners.

There are several manufacturers of pressure canners.  The two leading ones are Presto and All American (Wisconsin Aluminum). They are more expensive than water bath canners, but extremely well built - I bought mine in 1988 and it still looks and works like new!

Pressure Canners for all stovetops

Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner

This is one of the least expensive but reliable pressure canners available. I've been using mine for 30 years! There is also a 16 quart version for even less. . Click on the links at left or above for more info and current pricing. Click on the box at left for more information.

See the seller's website for features, pricing and user reviews!

 

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Shown at left is the Presto 23 quart pressure canner. Features below and click here for more information or to purchase from Target.

See the seller's website for features, pricing and user reviews!

  See here for related tools, equipment, supplies on Amazon See here for related tools, equipment, supplies on Amazon

Pressure canner: All American 921, 21.5qt Pressure Cooker/Canner, never needs gaskets, Great for Gas, Electric or Flat Top Stoves - Made in the USA

All American Pressure Canner and Cookers - In 3 Sizes

See the seller's website for features, pricing and user reviews!

   

     

Lids, Rings, Jars, mixes, pectin, etc.

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Pressure Canners for all stovetops
BUT, with a Pressure Canner it's easy.  And although a pressure canner costs $100 to $200 (see this page for pressure canners models, makes and prices), they last a lifetime, and your children and grandchildren may be using it. You can also find free information from the USDA in this PDF file (it will take a while to load!) about selecting and using canners here!

Can't find the equipment?  We ship to all 50 states!

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