Summer gardens are in full swing. Fall will soon be in the air, and home gardens are overflowing with vegetables. Don't have a home garden? Farm stands are filling up to the brim with the season's bounty, and local orchards are awaiting visitors to do the picking. Gather up all of the fresh fruits and vegetables you can now and preserve them to be enjoyed all winter long.
Food preserving is becoming more and more popular. People are preferring home preserved fruits and vegetables over store bought canned goods and pre-packaged snacks that are filled with processed additives. In the long run, home preserving is also an economical way to prepare today's excess produce for tomorrow's meals. Here's the best news of all: many of the products you'll need for home canning, dehydrating, and preserving are made in the USA! Here are 3 great ways to preserve the flavors of summer with made in the USA supplies.
Preserving With Made in USA Canning Supplies
Canning fruits and vegetables is a tradition that has been passed down through generations. Canning is a great way to preserve fruits in jams, jellies and pie fillings. Vegetables are great to use in canning salsas and for pickling. There are 2 ways to can-boiled water bath and pressure canning. Fruits and vegetables that are of low acidic content and are not being pickled, MUST be pressure canned to prevent the risk of botulism. Canned items are best to be used within 8-12 months. Here are my favorite American made canning necessities!
Ball Brand canning jars have been US made since 1884. Some of their bands and lids are also US made. The metal canning lids are not reusable, but the bands are.
Tattler Reusable Canning Lids are made in Michigan. They are made of plastic, BPA free and indefinitely reusable. These lids work with the metal bands. Shop Tattler on Amazon.
If you are planning a large garden and will have lots of veggies to can, then this Amish made stovetop water canner is a must-have! It can fit 15 quart jars or 18 pint jars. This is probably the largest water canner you can find and it is made by Amish in Ohio from 24 gauge, 304 stainless steel.
Pressure canning is the only canning method recommended safe by the USDA for low acid vegetables, meats, and fish. Lehman's has five sizes of high quality made in USA pressure canners to choice from.
Freezer Supplies made in the USA
Freezing is my favorite preserving method because it is quick and easy. Vegetables and fruits can both be frozen. Small berries I freeze as is, but larger fruits and even strawberries, I like to slice or chop up before freezing. Vegetables are best blanched before freezing to kill any organisms and to preserve the vitamins. I chop my vegetables (like summer squash, zucchini, green beans) into bite sized pieces – the same sizes that you find store bought frozen vegetables before blanching. To blanch a vegetable is to add it to boiling water or steam for a few minutes- just long enough to brighten the color a bit, not to cook. After the vegetable is blanched it is immediately run under cold water to stop the cooking process. After the blanching and cooling, spread the vegetable pieces in a single layer onto a made in the USA Nordic Ware cookie sheet (I especially like this set that comes with lids). After several hours, or the next day, remove the vegetables from the cookie sheet and store in a freezer safe container or bag. Pyrex makes great freezable glass containers that can be found in all sizes. I have found it hard to give up my plastic made in the USA Target brand freezer bags because they fit so easily in my freezer!
American made Dehydrators
Home dehydrating food is gaining in popularity. Moms are conscious of the chemicals added to kid loved fruit snacks and are opting for the more natural dehydrated snack option. Sliced apples, bananas and apricots are just some many fruits that are great dehydrated. Fruit leather (like a Fruit Roll-Up) is a popular snack made with a dehydrator. There are several popular brands of dehydrators made in the USA.
Nesco dehydrators are affordable and are a great choice for beginners. They even have a dehydrator to make jerky. Nesco dehydrators are made in the USA of global and domestic parts. Visit the Nesco Amazon shop.
Excalibur Food Dehydrators have been made in California, with US and globally sourced parts since 1973. They are more expensive and are ideal for someone who does a lot of dehydrating. They are also available at Lehman's in multiple tray counts.
Do you have a favorite way to preserve fruits or vegetables? Are there any ‘Made in the USA' preserving supplies that you love that weren't mentioned here? Please share and let us know!
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I live in Michigan do you have a store that I can visit ? What to try and buy American made products but getting harder all the time. Can you please send me a catalog. Thanks Ron
I am looking for a steam canner – but all I am finding is Vitorio made in China. Does anyone have information on any made anywhere else??
I there another site that tell us about usa made products. Very disappointed the manufactures are not always clear about it.
We just received a shipment of lids from
masonlids-official.com
And they came from Hong Kong
That company is a scam. Do not use those lids. They are actually made in China and shipped from Hong Kong. They state they are an authorized dealer but they are not.
One correction regarding Tattler Reusable Canning Lids, they are not made in Colorado. They are made in Michigan.
Note that Ball, Kerr, Bernardin and Golden Harvest Brands are all made in the USA and are Jarden/Newell owned companies. All made in the same plant. The same goes with the lids as well.
Walmart lids are made in the USA by a company in the SouthEast.. It TOO is owned by Jarden/Newell.
Anchor Hocking has made jars and lids n the USA for over 100 years so they too are an American made product.
I ordered Ball canning lids only to find out they are being shipped in from China
Were they really Ball lids? IF they are not marked with the Ball brand name and the correct info, there are LOTS of companies in the far east that are making knock off canning lids. Ball has been in trying to stop this with law suits.. Ball does NOT sell directly to customers – ONLY through dealers such as Walmart
Thank for the info its sad because I found out after the fact of buying them. I was led to believe I was getting Ball lids. Live and learn.
Newell Is a member of the WEF. I had trouble with a lid a few years ago and contacted them. They STINK!!
Ball Canning Lids have CODED expiration dates on the edge. They expire not from use, but from age. They have very short company backed shelf life. You can easily purchase already expired lids on jars without any way if knowing it.
From my email:
“For safety of all our consumers, our general guidance for canning is aligned with the USDA’s Complete Guide to Home Canning which states:
“Gaskets in unused lids work well for at least 5 years from date of manufacture. The gasket compound in older unused lids may fail to seal on jars. Buy only the quantity of lids you will use in a year. To ensure a good seal, carefully follow the
manufacturer’s directions in preparing lids for use. Examine all metal lids carefully. Do not use old, dented, or deformed lids, or lids with gaps or other defects in the sealing gasket.” Section 1.15 Lid Selection, preparation, and use”
Anyone who cans a lot will understand that you can easily have unused jars over 5 years old. WITHOUT ANY DATES on the outside box or readable dates on the lids, I find this to be an egregious business practice designed to protect them but not in consumer’s best interest.
I just received some Ball replacement canning lids in the mail. They have an American flag printed on the box, but there is also a sticker on the box with a scan code and “Made in China” printed on them (along with a few sets of numbers). These were purchased on Amazon. I have been online trying to find definite information on Ball Canning Products, but all I can find is that they were purchased by Newell Brands and there is no indication on that website that these products are still made in the USA. I would love some links to be assured of that if you have them.
Since Canning lids have become scarce THIRD PARTY vendors have been selling “Ball Lids” that are fake.. The lids are coming from China and are NOT up to the quality we have come to expect in the USA… IF they are ball, they would have been printed “Ball” and the Sure Seal on each lid. The fakes do not.. Just make sure that it is sold by Amazon and NOT some other company when you buy them.
I just read 6/6/22 that Ball Canning Co. is owned by Rubbermade. Rubbermade was bought by a Chinese Co.
How do we verify this?
I have a All American 921 love this canner it wil last many lifetimes.
I also own a Excalibur dehydrator and love it. Makes some really great beef jerky. Suggest getting a really good slicer so they are uniform thickness. Any thoughts on USA made mandolin slicers? (sp?)
Be very cautious when using mandoline slicers; give it your full attention and move slowly. People have gotten injured using mandoline slicers. Check US Consumer Reports for their recommendations on the safest slicers.
I want to learn to can. Would love hands on with someone experienced st this.
My mom and I make jelly every year. Apple and strawberry are my favorites!
I’m going to can this year, finally!
We love to can, it’s so much better than store bought.
We like to make jams and jellies with the raspberries that grow in our garden. Great Christmas gifts!
This is great info! I have a Nesco dehydrator and love it!
Just an FYI, my NESCO food dehydrator just quit working and my husband, who is very handy with repairs, opened it up to see what might have gone wrong. I was saying it was made in the USA and my husband said “really?” “I am reading right on the parts and inside of this machine “MADE IN CHINA.” ”
Hmmmm… This was the reason I bought it and I am very angry it is being toted as USA when the machine itself says CHINA!
It say’s in the description, “They are made in the USA of global and domestic parts”.
Just like Ford’s, Chevy’s and Dodge’s, a lot of the parts/components come from Canada, Mexico, China, Korea, Japan, etc., but they’re assembled in the USA.
I only use Ball mason jars, I find the other versions are not nearly as durable and the lids are much less dependable. I also have a Nesco dehydrator and LOVE it. Makes dehydrating a breeze. Go USA 🙂
I’ve always wanted to get into dehydrating fruits, but never have. 🙁
Loved this post, Tracey, and did not know all this equipment was American made, so cool! I used to make a mean hot & spicy green pepper jelly! Miss it, but no time for canning projects lately. but…maybe, if I did just one weekend, though, with some of those cool Heritage jars – would make a great batch of Christmas gifts!
Thanks so much for the Fantastic Review on Preserve Summer’s Bounty with made in USA canning supplies, dehydrators, and more! I used to make jelly and can it but through the kids growing up and all I haven’t done it for years! I definitely would love to get back into canning jelly! Also, I have a dehydrator and haven’t used that in a while either! Since the kids are getting bigger, I just may get the dehydrator out and start using it again with apples, bananas, mangos, etc. These would be terrific snacks for the kids! Thanks so much for sharing your fantastic review, the pictures of the products, and your personal and professional opinions on Preserve Summer’s Bounty with made in USA canning supplies, dehydrators, and more with all of us! And, yes, I use Ball jars! Thanks again! Michele 🙂
How about vacuum sealers?
i so want to learn how to do this,,
We are looking at getting a big freezer this year — such a smart way to store meat on sale and veggies from the garden!
I’ve just tried dehydrating tomatoes. It didn’t work so well… guess I need a dehydrator.
I just love canning and dehydrating and putting things up for the winter. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction.
I have a Nesco dehydrator and I adore it! I would love to have Ball canning supplies.
I LOVE my heritage jars!!!! However, you cannot tell they are blue when filled with my wild black raspberry jam. Well, not until they are opened and partially eaten that it 🙂 My peach jam appears green inside the jars…….. They are lovely but they are quite pricey in comparison to regular jars. It’s neat to have a vintage reproduction celebrating 100 years of Ball Canning jars but the regular clear jars work just as fine! And the jelly tastes the same either way! 😀 Happy canning!
I’m loving with Heritage edition Ball canning jars in blue. They are embossed with a logo that reads “Made in the U.S.A.”
*the*
oooh, I did not know the Heritage Ball jars were stamped with Made in USA – cool! I’ve seen them and could imagine using them for decorative projects, but I wasn’t sure about the blue tint? What does that looks like with pickles or peach jam inside?
Awesome info about suppliers. Not sure who made the canning lids so I really appreciate that. So glad that Fall is almost here ~ such wonderful foods!
We love to make our own dehydrated fruit. Great for personalized taril mix!
With canning supplies being in short supply lately I have had to look for vendors online that carry the supplies I need as my local stores are in very short supply or are just not able to get them in. I found some canning lids at a reasonable price and almost ordered them until I read the description and found they were not made in the USA. The only canning supplies I will use are made in USA products.