Water Bath Canning and Pressure Canning: Explained

By The United States Department Of Agriculture
Published on July 14, 2011
1 / 7

Don't let a little steam and boiling water scare you. Pressure canning and water bath canning are safe methods to preserve your food. Learn how with this excerpt from the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning.
Don't let a little steam and boiling water scare you. Pressure canning and water bath canning are safe methods to preserve your food. Learn how with this excerpt from the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning.
2 / 7

This acidity chart tells you which foods are high in acid and which are low. High-acid foods can be canned with a water bath canner and/or a pressure canner, while low-acid foods must be canned with a pressure canner.
This acidity chart tells you which foods are high in acid and which are low. High-acid foods can be canned with a water bath canner and/or a pressure canner, while low-acid foods must be canned with a pressure canner.
3 / 7

Water bath (also called boiling water) canners are good for quickly and safely canning high-acid foods such as peaches, strawberries and just about any other fruit. As noted in the illustration, make sure to leave extra airspace at the top to maintain a brisk boil.
Water bath (also called boiling water) canners are good for quickly and safely canning high-acid foods such as peaches, strawberries and just about any other fruit. As noted in the illustration, make sure to leave extra airspace at the top to maintain a brisk boil.
4 / 7

Pressure canning, like any other task, is perfectly manageable when broken up into steps. Follow the steps above to safely can any low- or high-acid foods.
Pressure canning, like any other task, is perfectly manageable when broken up into steps. Follow the steps above to safely can any low- or high-acid foods.
5 / 7

Processing times for food depends on the style of packing (hot or raw/cold), the type of canner (water bath or pressure) and the food itself. Above, process times for peaches canned with a boiling-water (water bath) canner are given. Note the increase in process times as the altitude changes.
Processing times for food depends on the style of packing (hot or raw/cold), the type of canner (water bath or pressure) and the food itself. Above, process times for peaches canned with a boiling-water (water bath) canner are given. Note the increase in process times as the altitude changes.
6 / 7

A weighted-gauge pressure canner allows pressure to build up to a desired level before releasing steam to prevent the pressure from rising any higher. Above, the USDA lists the process time and desired pressure for canning peaches.
A weighted-gauge pressure canner allows pressure to build up to a desired level before releasing steam to prevent the pressure from rising any higher. Above, the USDA lists the process time and desired pressure for canning peaches.
7 / 7

The USDA has process times for all types of canners. Here, the process time for peaches in a dial-gauge pressure canner is listed. Compare this time with the time for peaches processed in a boiling-water canner.
The USDA has process times for all types of canners. Here, the process time for peaches in a dial-gauge pressure canner is listed. Compare this time with the time for peaches processed in a boiling-water canner.

If you’re new to canning, deciding between water bath (boiling-water) canning and pressure canning can be a difficult task. Water bath canning seems easier, and works for fruits and pickles, but can’t be used for low-acid foods such as red meat and some vegetables. Pressure canning, on the other hand, can be intimidating to novices, particularly if you’ve heard the old tales of exploding canners. With this helpful excerpt from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Complete Guide to Home Canning, you’ll learn the difference between pressure canning and water bath canning to decide which is best for you. Use this and our other canning resources to stock up after your harvest.

The following is an excerpt from the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning covering how to can carrots.

Food Acidity and Processing Methods 

Whether food should be processed in a pressure canner or boiling-water canner to control botulinum bacteria depends on the acidity of the food. Acidity may be natural, as in most fruits, or added, as in pickled food. Low-acid canned foods are not acidic enough to prevent the growth of these bacteria. Acid foods contain enough acid to block their growth, or destroy them more rapidly when heated. The term “pH” is a measure of acidity; the lower its value, the more acid the food. The acidity level in foods can be increased by adding lemon juice, citric acid, or vinegar.

Low-acid foods have pH values higher than 4.6. They include red meats, seafood, poultry, milk, and all fresh vegetables except for most tomatoes. Most mixtures of low-acid and acid foods also have pH values above 4.6 unless their recipes include enough lemon juice, citric acid, or vinegar to make them acid foods. Acid foods have a pH of 4.6 or lower. They include fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, jams, jellies, marmalades, and fruit butters.

Although tomatoes usually are considered an acid food, some are now known to have pH values slightly above 4.6. Figs also have pH values slightly above 4.6. Therefore, if they are to be canned as acid foods, these products must be acidified to a pH of 4.6 or lower with lemon juice or citric acid. Properly acidified tomatoes and figs are acid foods and can be safely processed in a boiling-water canner.

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368