As a love for Grannycore sweeps the nation and people of all ages rediscover the artisanal crafts and cooking techniques of yesteryear, it was only a matter of time before pickling and canning experienced a renaissance. Summer produce will soon be at its peak, which means now is the time to stock up on everything you need for the pickling and canning season this fall. Our correspondent Abbie Martin Greenbaum has curated a list of the 10 best pickling and canning starter kits and expert tools to buy now to properly store your summer fruits and vegetables. Strawberry jam, anyone?
The 10 best accessories to buy for pickling and canning this year
If you spent any time on the Internet over the last year, chances are you know about the latest DIY craze: pickling.
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You may associate the word “pickle” with the green things under your burger bun, but we promise, the world of pickling is vast and has a lot to offer you. Not only is it a fun and easy activity, but it’s sustainable too: pickling preserves home-grown and store-bought veggies (or other items!) for far longer than their typical shelf life, by preventing the growth of dangerous bacteria. A pickled vegetable or fruit can last for many months in the fridge – way longer than if you left it in its original form.
best pickling and canning starter kits and expert tools to buy now to properly store your summer fruits and vegetables
And if you prefer sweet to sour, don’t stop reading here. Pickling is simply a form of canning – another way of preserving food in an airtight mason jar. You can use this method to make jams, salsas, jellies, and other treats – a less-tart way to keep your foods fresh and delicious. Plus, it will give you something to do with all of the vegetables you grew during quarantine.
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If you’re new canning, pickling, and fermenting, here’s a helpful guide from GizModo to get you started. And once you’re feeling ready to go, these are the ten items we recommend you pick up for your briny quest.
The 10 Best Canning and Pickling Starter Kits and Expert Tools to buy right now
1. Quick Pickle Gift Set
Maybe you (or someone you know), really loves the taste of pickled foods, but isn’t feeling ready to commit to a new hobby right now. No problem. Why not start with something easy? Instead of jars and a canning set, first try the Quick Pickles Gift Set. This handy set will help you kickstart your pickles without any of the effort. Simply chop your vegetables, douse them with the “Sweet Style,” “Dill Style,” or “Spicy Style” concentrates, and let them sit in the fridge for a day or two. If you’re looking for a door into the world of pickling, here is your vinger-soaked welcome mat.
BUY NOW – $15
2. The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving: 350 of the Best Canned, Jammed, Pickled and Preserved Recipes
Before you get started on your journey, you’re going to want a road map – and we recommend this book from Ball. With 350 different recipes, they will walk you through the in’s, out’s and how-to’s of preserving and fermenting the foods in your fridge. If you’re feeling intimidated by all the different steps of canning, this will show you that the whole process is much easier than it looks.
BUY NOW – $20.52
3. The Complete Joy of Pickling: 250 Recipes for Pickling, Fermentation and More by Jennifer MacKenzie
We’re sure many of you are here specifically for the pickles. That’s why we have another book to recommend. In its second edition, MacKenzie’s glorious recipe collection is a comprehensive guide to all things sour and preserved. With its easy, step-by-step walkthroughs, this book is definitely one you want to have by your side.
BUY NOW – $24.95
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4. Kilner Glass Fermentation Jar
Okay, now it’s time to pickle some things. As you may have already guessed, everything starts with the jars. And we suggest you get only the best. Kilner’s are famously airtight, non-toxic, and non-porous, and this one in particular is perfect for pickling and fermenting. It even comes with simple instructions. You’ll also get two small stones to help keep your veggies submerged – helpful for your first foray into the world of preserved foods.
BUY NOW – $50
5. 6 Piece Canning Tool Set
Sets like this make canning easy. After getting your jars, these tools should be your number one priority – you won’t be able to begin preserving without them. Included in your new set are tongs, a magnetic lid-lifter, a wrench, and a bubble remover, necessary for maneuvering hot jars, securing and removing lids, and making sure that jars are empty of any air. This is a must-have.
The best accessories to buy for pickling and canning this year: 6 Piece Canning Tool Set. Courtesy Photo.
BUY NOW – $30
6. Canning Rack Insert
The most popular method of canning asks for a hot water bath to process your jars. This may sound complicated, but racks like this one make it easy. Your jars will stay stable, you will stay safe, and you can use it with any stockpot you happen to have around the kitchen.
BUY NOW – $14.95
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7. Multi-Use Waterbath Canner
And if you don’t happen to have the perfect stockpot lying around – this is the one you want. It comes with the same rack insert, so you’ll have everything you need. The silicone handles are safe to touch, the glass lid makes it much easier to keep an eye on your jars, and the temperature indicator is a must.
BUY NOW – $99.95
8. All American Canner Pressure Cooker
You will soon learn that there are two different methods of food preservation – water baths, and pressure canning. For those looking to try pressure canning, it is extremely important that you use only the best equipment. Since the whole point of canning food is to keep it safe from bacteria, you want to make sure that you’re actually doing that. This one is the number one pressure cooker recommended by Serious Eats, and we can tell that it’s a top-quality model. If you’re planning to pursue pressure canning specifically, choose this one.
BUY NOW – $299 – $599
9. Pickling Spices
If you’re really here for the pickling, you’re obviously going to need some pickling spices. And lucky for you, New York spice institution Sahadi’s happens to ship their spices nationwide. Order as many ounces as you want, and then peruse the rest of their website for any other spices you may need. You won’t regret it.
BUY NOW – $2.50 an ounce
10. Pickling Kit
After reading all of this, you may be feeling excited, but unsure where to start. Well, why not get yourself a little crash course? With this pickling kit, you’ll get a jar (with an airlock lid, of course), a fermentation weight, salt, and complete instructions. All you need to add is dill, garlic, and cucumbers, and at the end you’ll have a half-gallon of pickles. Start here to test your pickling skills, and soon you’ll be pickling, fermenting, and canning every day.
BUY NOW – $39.95
The 10 best tools and kits to buy for pickling and canning this year
That’s our take on the best pickling and canning starter kits and expert tools to buy now to properly store your summer fruits and vegetables in season in 2021. What do you think, dear reader? Are you ready to master the fine art of preserving summer’s bounty for the long winter months ahead?
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This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links.
Abbie Martin Greenbaum grew up in New York City and currently lives in Brooklyn, where she drinks a lot of coffee and matches roommates together for a living. At Oberlin College, she studied English and Cinema, which are still two of her favorite things, along with dessert and musical theater. She believes in magic.
