The gear: equipment and tools
Along with standard equipment like a large, wide heavy-bottomed pot, measuring cups (dry and wet), measuring spoons, wooden spoons and spatulas, there are a few pieces of specialized gear that will set you up for canning success.
CANNING POT AND RACK
This is a very large, inexpensive pot with a wire insert designed to keep canning jars from sitting directly on the bottom of the pot. The insert also has two handles to allow you to lift a whole batch of jars in and out of the pot with ease. Alternatively, you can use a pot tall enough to hold your canning jars with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water above them and a round metal cake cooling rack that fits into the bottom of the pot.
TOOLS
Canning companies like Bernardin sell tool kits that contain a ladle, wide canning funnel, jar lifter (like a specialized pair of tongs), headspace gauge and magnetic lid lifter. Again, while it is certainly possible to can without these tools, they are specifically designed to help make the process easier and will likely increase your enjoyment.
CANNING JARS WITH TWO‑PIECE METAL LIDS
Preserves are often photographed in a wide variety of lovely jars, and you may find older recipes that use wax as a sealant, but we’ve learned a lot of science over the years, and food safety is a real concern. Use proper canning jars, called Mason jars. The jars and ring parts of the lids may be used over and over, but the flat top discs with the rubber seals can only be used once. Also pay attention to the size of jars your recipes require, as it is linked to the correct processing time.