Canning when you can’t buy canning supplies

>>Do you know where I can get canning supplies in Israel?? Can’t find any in my area! A lady gave me a couple dozen jars and a few lids but no rings! Have been looking and not finding anything.<<

Back when I was the owner of over a thousand canning jars, many dozen lids, and endless rings, I decided to move to Israel, land of many things but canning supplies weren’t one of them.

So I agonized over what to do with my canning supplies (including my heavy duty shelving units which could hold the weight of dozens of full jars), which I had acquired with much time and effort.  I very much enjoyed being able to fill my pantry with shelves of beautiful jars of food bought at great discounts and home-preserved for the long term.  I primarily canned real food (eg chicken, ground meat, vegetables and fruit) versus specialty items or jams, so I had jars I could pull off the shelf and heat up for an instant meal.

This was mentally a hard thing to let go of, but it became obvious that I couldn’t justify the cost of an overseas container just to take my canning supplies – though there are lots of other things that would have been nice to take, those were the main things I was having trouble letting go of.  How did I make the decision to sell all of my canning supplies?

I was able to let go of this because I had a backup plan for canning that I could do in Israel.  When I began canning, I read several books to fully understand the science of canning, the safety issues, how to prevent possible bacterial contamination, etc.  As a result, I felt I understood why each step was taken and realized there were different ways to get the same end result – a safe product.

What was that?  Factories don’t use canning lids and rings, but rather suction lids.  Many foods you buy come in these jars, and can be used to safely water bath high acid foods (this is a very important detail).  This was my plan when I moved here, and I’ve gradually accumulated several dozen jars (thanks to one particular friend who graciously saves her jars for me!).  I bought a new canning jar lifter before I left and packed it with the things I wanted to take on the flight so I’d have it right  away, but one of the littles found it and played with it, and when I found it the boxes for the flight had been sealed.  So it will come whenever my few boxes of books arrive.

The problem I have with these jars is that they aren’t very large, and I preferred canning in half gallon jars.  So when I canned fruit compote, we could easily use two jars for just one breakfast.  Knowing the work that goes into processing the fruits, it’s a little discouraging to see it disappear so quickly!  However, it does offer me a workable option and one that I’ve overall been satisfied with.

Avivah

2 thoughts on “Canning when you can’t buy canning supplies

  1. I also can here in Israel. My gardens have not been a success yet, But I keep trying , meanwhile, I am water bath canning food I buy. We make sweet, bread and butter pickles, salsa, can tomatoes and strawberry jam. I brought some jars with me,and my mother-in-law sends new lids. I also found some jars from Italy that are good in the shuk. ( One of those guys that sells glassware.) I have had good success with the 778 jelly jars and the lids work one more time. However they just changed their jar from the old square one and the new one Isn’t such a good sealer. The honey jars work too.Sometimes the lids bow out but as they cool they recede. I am reading a lot lately about oven canning for dry goods. Flour, oats, etc. Things get buggier here than in the states so I think this might be a good option. I do think the water bath method is under used these days. My aunt canned everything this way, green beans, black eyed peas. But not meat and it was perfectly safe. One of the things I am so glad I brought was my jar lifter. Glad to know I am not the only person who does this here. I am a homesteader at heart and was glad when we left Jerusalem for a yishuv. We now have chickens, and a successful compost heap. We have really worked to improve the soil, so hopefully this years garden will be a success. Happy canning!

  2. I was so excited when I learned that I could can with used commercial jars and covers. I use marinara sauce, gefilte fish, and honey jars mostly for canning, and I’ve canned tomato sauce, salsa, canned fruit, pickles, and homemade grape juice. I’m happy with this thus far, but I do wish I could can non acidic foods like chicken broth, beans, chili, corn, etc… I do wish to get a pressure canner and “official canning equipment” in the future…

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