Canning food- good resource?

[keyslover]

I have been wanting to try it for years, but time has been an issue with little kids. Now they are getting older and more manageable I would like to try canning.

Any tips or resources? Words of encouragement?

How old do the kids have to be to involve them in the process?

[nomad100]

Hot water bath canning is pretty easy.

I would think that the kids could help with measuring the ingredients (sugar, fruit, etc) or counting out the lids and rings but since the rest of the process involves boiling hot stuff, that may be it, until they are older.

I have the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving. www.amazon.com/Ball-Blue-Book-Guide-Preserving/dp/0972753702 and Yes you Can www.amazon.com/Yes-You-Freeze-Step---Step/dp/1591864879/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377001459&sr=1-1&keywords=yes+you+can+and+freeze+and+dry+it+too and refer to them often when I am canning.

Once you start don't be surprised if you get hooked. I started out about 3 years ago with basic freezer jams and the next year did a ton of HWB canning and I just bought a pressure canner.

[candreco]

I like the Ball website and UGA's National Center for Home Food Preservation.