When friends decide they want to start canning, they do not want to put much money into it incase they do not enjoy it. They often ask me what equipment they really need. I decided to put together a list of items I always have ready in my Rubbermaid canning containers. I keep most everything in 2 containers that I keep in the bottom of my pantry so I have easy access and don’t spend a lot of time searching around for that one missing item I need.
Clock with a second-hand (sweeping hand)
Ball Blue Book (Amazon for about $8)
Two bath towels (I use these to set my canning jars on)
Eight or 16 ounce jars
Lids (always new!)
Paring knife
Wooden spoons
Pot Holder or Oven Mit
Canning funnel
Ladle
Small Pot (non-aluminum)
Big Pot (non-aluminum)
Fine mesh strainer
Jar Lifter
Water bath canner with pedestal
Or, you can buy a ball canner discovery kit. They sell them on Amazon and at the local discount stores as well. They sell for about $18. You most likely have everything except the hot water bath canner, book, or discovery kit.
Once you get all these items assembled, you are well on your way to canning! Depending on what you want to make, I would suggest a dunce cap strainer, also called a chinois strainer. You can buy them online for about $35 but I see them all the time at flea markets and garage sales for around $10. Jar Lifters are sold in grocery stores, discount stores and on Amazon for about $5