Home canning has been a common household practice before the 20th century and up to this date even when canned goods are readily made available in groceries. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of home canning to see if you should try to can your own food.
Pros of Home Canning
Home Canning can help save you a lot of money on food. While the initial costs of canning at home may seem to outweigh the savings, canning your own food at home will help you save a lot in the long run.
Canning your own food at home will require the following equipment and materials: a two-gallon stainless steel pot, sealable canning jars, tongs, potholders and candy thermometer. Some of you will probably have some of these materials at home, which will require you to spend less on home canning.
Money Crashers provided a detailed comparison of the costs incurred by making a homemade strawberry rhubarb jam and that of a store-bought one. According to the publication, the cost of making a homemade strawberry rhubarb jam is $15.33 while a store-bought jam is priced at $20.33.
Take note, though, that the price of the homemade jam comes with newly bought canning jars, and the cost will be at least 25 percent cheaper the next time, as jars can be reused.
The outlet also noted that home canning gives you the ability to control the ingredients and contents of your food. This means that you can easily go for quality ingredients and cut down on the unhealthy chemicals and preservatives that come with store-bought canned goods.
Cons of Home Canning
While home canning can easily seem like an interesting option, the process can often discourage some people. The correct process of canning goods at home can be tedious, especially because the right techniques have to be employed.
Home canning also presents the risk of illness, especially when the process is not done correctly. CDC reported that home canning, if not done properly, could become contaminated with the botulinum toxin, which causes botulism. It is, therefore, important to exercise caution whenever canning your food at home.
