If you’ve ever walked past a table full of homemade jams at the farmers market or admired a pantry lined with beautiful jars of peaches, salsa, or pickles, and thought, “I’d love to do that someday…”—friend, consider this your sign.
For years, home canning has had a reputation for being complicated. Images of our grandmother's giant pots bubbling on the stove, complex pressure canners, and pages upon pages of instructions have convinced a lot of us that preserving food is only for seasoned experts.
But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be that way.
If you've been curious about canning but haven't taken the leap, steam canning might just become your new favorite kitchen adventure.
So...What Is Steam Canning?
Think of a steam canner as the friendly cousin of the traditional boiling water bath.
Instead of filling a huge pot with gallons of water, a steam canner uses a small amount of water to create steam that safely processes jars of high-acid foods, like jams, jellies, fruits, pickles, and many tomato products made with tested recipes.
That means less water to heat, less waiting around, and a much lighter canner to move around your kitchen.
Honestly? That's a win in our book.
Why Beginners Love It
One of the biggest things we hear from customers is:
"I've always wanted to try canning, but it just seems intimidating."
We get it.
Steam canning removes some of those barriers that keep people from getting started.
You'll appreciate things like:
- Heating up much faster than a large water bath canner.
- Using only a fraction of the water.
- Being lighter and easier to lift.
- Producing less heat and humidity in your kitchen.
- Making cleanup quicker and easier.
Instead of feeling like you're committing your whole afternoon to one batch of jam, steam canning makes preserving feel much more approachable.
Wait…Is Steam Canning Safe?
This is probably the question we get most often. Well, is steam canning really safe?
Years ago, steam canning wasn't widely recommended because there wasn't enough research available.
Today, that's all changed!
Current research has shown that atmospheric steam canning is a safe option for processing high-acid foods when you use tested recipes, follow current processing recommendations, and use the equipment correctly. Because of that research, university extension programs—including Utah's—now recognize steam canning as a safe and effective preservation method for approved foods.
It’s such exciting news, especially for anyone who has been waiting for a simpler way to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables.
What Can You Steam Can?
Steam canning is perfect for many of the foods people love making every summer and fall, including:
- Homemade jams and jellies
- Fruit preserves
- Applesauce
- Pickles and relishes
- Many tomato products prepared with tested recipes
- Fruit syrups
It's important to remember that steam canning is only for foods that are approved for boiling water processing. Low-acid foods like vegetables, meats, soups, and broth still require pressure canning to be processed safely.
When in doubt, always use a current, tested recipe from a trusted source.
Your First Batch Doesn't Have to Be Perfect
Here's a little secret:
Every experienced canner started with their very first jar.
Maybe your first batch of strawberry jam isn't picture-perfect. Maybe your pickles aren't quite as crunchy as you hoped. That's okay! Every batch teaches you something new, and before you know it, you'll be looking for excuses to preserve one more basket of peaches or another bag of garden tomatoes.
The best part isn't just filling your pantry—it's the skills you develop and the memories you make along the way.
We'd Love to Help You Get Started
At our store, we believe canning should feel fun and exciting, not overwhelming.
Whether you're buying your very first steam canner, looking for the right jars, or wondering which recipe to try first, we're always happy to answer questions and help you find the supplies you’ll need.
Because preserving fresh food isn't just about stocking your shelves.
It's about slowing down for an afternoon, making something with your own hands, and enjoying the satisfaction of opening a jar months later and remembering exactly where those peaches came from.
And trust us—that first pop as the lids seal? It's one of the most satisfying sounds in the kitchen.
We can't wait for you to experience it.
