I have always pressure canned my potatoes. The canner is starting to leak so I have to beat the lid to get it to seal. Years ago didn't they water bath everything? Does anyone know the old recipe for water bathing potatoes and the steps to do that?
By ruth from Sweet Valley, PA
No change in the recipe, just boil them a smidgen longer. The pressure cooker saves you electricity by letting the contents reach bacteria killing conditions a bit faster and at a lower temperature, but does not affect the taste of potatoes at all.
If the pressure cooker is good old cast aluminum and has gotten "out of round", you can easily true it up again with a lead shot filled rubber hammer. The aluminum has to be cold or cool for that, not hot! Just light but firm tapping and frequent trying of the fit will get it fixed in a minute or two.
Have FUN!
Dear Webby
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By no means should you water bath potatoes, or any vegetable other than those that are pickled. A water bath canner does not get hot enough to properly kill botulism spores, and whether or not you may ingest the tiny amount of botulism required to kill or permanently alter your life is truly hit and miss. If you choose to try to repair your pressure cooker, be certain to have the weight and seal tested prior to canning your produce.
If you are using a dial gauge, this is important as the dial can be inaccurate, which can render your canned product a deadly food. If you are using a weighted gauge, all should be well if the canner lid does not leak. Have you replaced the plug and the lid ring? That should be done every few years - indications that they need to be replaced is that steam escapes during cooking, or that the ring is brittle, and the lid does not want to seal well.
The rubber ring, though probably not too expensive, is critical to safe canning and well worth the investment. If you can't get help from local hardware stores, try calling the pressure canner manufacturer for help in locating seals. Your local cooperative extension office may be of help in locating where, if necessary, to have the pressure canner lid tested for accurate pressure. As a former extension volunteer I tested the lids, and it was very common, even with brand new canners, for the dial gauge to be inaccurate by 6 to 8 lbs. It requires no money for repairs - you will just need to adjust by whatever lbs are off. Example: If you need to can at 10 lbs pressure and your dial is off by plus 3 lbs, you will just can at 13 lbs rather than 10 lbs. But you need to know just how much to adjust - so get thy gauge tested! As always, please use up-to-date reliable information, such as from the extension office, or a newer Ball or Blue Canning Book. Happy (and safe!) canning! Merry
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am just starting to can potatoes and need to know were and how to start.
By Linda
Google it and I'm sure you will come up with all kinds of help.
Never canned potatoes myself but my Mom used to, and they were wonderful. The only thing I do know is that potatoes need to be pressure-canned due to the low acid content. This is a useful guide to home canning:
www.uga.edu/
How do I can new potatoes?
By Debbie from Marquez, TX
After washing, cut them into quarters and place in water in your sink until your ready to pack your jars. You can with the skins to keep all the vitamins. I use a pressure canner. Potatoes have to be canned at 10 lbs of pressure. Pints take 35 minutes, quarts take 40. I do them both at 40, easier to remember.
Once you have your lids and rings boiled, ready to go...add 1/2 tsp salt to each of your jars, add potatoes and pack down by hitting the jar on the palm of your hand as it shifts down in the jar, fill with hot tap water, put on rings and lids..very tight. I have done over 5 cannings this summer. They are awesome for the winter months; rinse and heat up in the microwave..add milk, garlic, lemon zest for great smashed potatoes. Or rinse and place in a ziplock bag, add seasonings for roasted potatoes..(packages in Walmart) I use bacon and chives. Heat until hot..about 10 minutes. Can be done in the microwave or oven. Good luck
I want to know how to can small potatoes from my garden. I know it can be done; I just want to do it right the first time.
By Lori
Since there is no acid in them I think they are best pressure canned.
Can I can new potatoes with the peel still on them? Do I do anything differently?
By Russanne
I just now posted online if you need the directions still. Sorry, it's been awhile since I've been on this posting forum. Forgot to type under your name.
Can you bottle new potatoes in a hot water bath?
Nancy
