troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
Welp... Apple butter is done for the year. Wife's regret was two-fold.
- Selling off her old canning pot and tools in the pre-move garage sale 4 years ago
- not going to local orchard for thicker apples. The grocery ones were very juicy, but not strong in pulp. The yield in half-pints was a couple less than expected.
Don't worry Sherrel, I told the wife that I'd eat your share. We only got 7 half-pints out of one batch. Was expecting 9 or 10. We only had 9 jars, so we'll count that as a minor victory.
But, how does on do the canning process, without the pot and tools for such?
Well, our local supermarket had this: A large torilla steamer - with perforated rack in the bottom. The steamer plate in the bottom is removable and got nudged by bubbles during boiling and went cattywumpus. We could get all the jars in, though.
Getting them in and out was a challenge without the jar tongs... Fortunately, I purchased the really big channel locks. Someone once told me they are a great gift. Because when you need them, you REALLY need them.
I also made a magnetic lid lifter rod out of some plastic rod and a rare earth magnet. Even put some of the handyman's secret weapon around the handle-end. So I didn't grab the hot end by accident. You'll need to use your imagination since I didn't take a pic of it.
- Selling off her old canning pot and tools in the pre-move garage sale 4 years ago
- not going to local orchard for thicker apples. The grocery ones were very juicy, but not strong in pulp. The yield in half-pints was a couple less than expected.
Don't worry Sherrel, I told the wife that I'd eat your share. We only got 7 half-pints out of one batch. Was expecting 9 or 10. We only had 9 jars, so we'll count that as a minor victory.
But, how does on do the canning process, without the pot and tools for such?
Well, our local supermarket had this: A large torilla steamer - with perforated rack in the bottom. The steamer plate in the bottom is removable and got nudged by bubbles during boiling and went cattywumpus. We could get all the jars in, though.
Getting them in and out was a challenge without the jar tongs... Fortunately, I purchased the really big channel locks. Someone once told me they are a great gift. Because when you need them, you REALLY need them.
I also made a magnetic lid lifter rod out of some plastic rod and a rare earth magnet. Even put some of the handyman's secret weapon around the handle-end. So I didn't grab the hot end by accident. You'll need to use your imagination since I didn't take a pic of it.