This timeless gift guide for canners contains some of my most used and beloved canning books, tools, and helpers.
Here are a few of my favorite canning helpers, from cookbooks, to the best floursack towels, to my very favorite 2-quart measuring cup. Send a link to this post to a generous spouse, parent or best friend with a note that says, “I’d like number 2, please!”
Starting from the top left corner…
1. Putting Up: A Seasonal Guide to Canning in the Southern Tradition
2. A Stainless Steel Jar Funnel. I like the metal ones better than plastic. Looks better and is sturdier in the long run.
3. Weck Canning Jars. These European jars are beautiful and functional. Extra thoughtful gift givers will also pick up a set of plastic snap-on lids, which turns these into the best leftover vessels I know.
4. A Set of Graduated Measuring Scoops. I prefer using a 1-cup measure like the one pictured when filling jars with hot jam. It gives greater control than a ladle does, and is the exact right amount for a half pint jar. The rest of the measuring cups are useful too.
5. Floursack Towels. Canning can be messy business so it’s always good to have a stack of clean towels on hand. I like these white floursack towels, as they are absorbent, fairly lintless and can be bleached clean when you’re all done cooking.
6. Ball Canning Starter Kit. This is an easy way to get a new canner started, or to help an experienced preserver refresh their collection of tools (that jar lifter takes a beating after years of use).
7. My Beloved 2-Quart Measuring Cup. Perfect for measuring fruit for jam. The lid just makes it.
8. A Good, Sharp Knife. I’m a big fan of my Global, but any sturdy, sharp knife will do. When you’re processing a bushel or two of fruit, you want to use the best tool for the job.
9. A Roomy Stock Pot. Instead of buying a pot designed expressly for canning, invest in a good stock pot. That way, it can also work as your pasta or soup pot. But slip a rack in the bottom and voila, it’s a canning pot.
10. Wide Mouth Half-Pint Jars. I adore these squat, easy to fill jars. For some reason, they’ve become impossible to find in stores (I often order a couple dozen and keep them stashed under my couch, for when they’re the only jar that will do).
You can also give the gift of one of my cookbooks!
I think it’s so cool that 99 people responded to this so far. Make that 100! (Unless someone else is beating me to it!) I love all my tools, but my funnel is def the best. Weck jars look so pretty; maybe one day I’ll have some. Great post, as usual, thanks!
Oh man, that 2 qt. Measuring cup with a lid looks fantastic! My biggest canning splurge was a nice rack, one that won’t let little jars slip through, doesn’t rust, and is sturdy. I love your blog and find it immensly inspiring.
I have not canned before but use canning jars for general storage. I would love to start canning, though!
Great collection! All are must-haves and I’ll add these to my Wishlist on Amazon.
Thanks for your inspirational blog.
I love the Weck canning jars. They’re so beautiful!
It would be a joy to find any/all of these under the tree, especially the Weck jars!
I could really use the funnel; it would make filling the jars much easier, but I have most of the other things, although my measuring cup is way smaller than 2 quarts. I’m thinking of buying the Weck canning jars as a gift for someone else…maybe they’ll take the hint and buy some for me? It’s about time to make apple butter–the apples were only 47 cents a pound today.
I could not live with out my jar funnel.I have even used it to fill freezer bags,you need an extra set of hands to help but it dose make liquids less messy.
I have also been eying the Weck jars for gift giving.
I recently found your blog and am enjoying it.
These all look like wonderful ideas.
I love this list! I’m not a canner by any means, but I’d love to have the tools to start. Maybe the confidence will come later?
oooooh one with a cover! perfect for my lifestyle, that way I can put it right in the fridge to rest.
Thanks for running a giveaway
I can never have too many Flour sack towels for the messes i make in the kitchen. Also grand for strining things like stock.
I just started canning this year and love your site. Thanks for the gift round up – now I have some shopping ideas!
My mom got me the Ball utensil kit for my bithday this year and it is so handy! I am picking up in my mother’s footsteps of growing and stowing as much as possible, even more so now that the rat race is behind me and I am a new(er) stay at home mom. Enjoying my first look at your blog and have just added you to my blog reader list. Thanks!
Nifty! Now I want a measuring cup too.
I like the 4oz jars too….I have kids, so they are a great size for snacks/sides/bugs/dirt….
I am really intrigued by the Weck jars. They would be a lovely surprise under the tree.
Thanks, I just sent this post to my husband! 🙂
I love those Weck canning jars, so cool!
I love jars already but I don’t even can! Would be great to start…
those wide mouth half pint jars are so great! i need to get some more.
I want all of it too! But really, I want the book – one source of info is just what I need!
I laughed when I saw this post. I sort of need all of it 😛 I haven’t canned in years (since I lived with my parents), but I’ve been inspired recently to take it up again, not the least of the reasons being that canned goods make great gifts.
So my plan is to go buy the basics as soon as I wrap up my classes next week. Of the stuff you have pictured above, though, I was especially impressed by the Weck canning jars. I’ve never seen them before–they’re so pretty!
my favorite canning tool is probably my set of ball utensils, similar to those you posted above. i just love using the tongs and the little magnetic wand thingy! 🙂
thanks for your blog! i really enjoy it.
My next house will hopefully have enough space for me to really get into canning. For the time being, I’d be sooo happy with that measuring cup.
We are just getting started at my house so the Ball Utensil Kit would be a great addition.
I am also in love with the squat wide mouth half pints!
I see a cookbook I am going to add to my want list! Thank you for being such a great resource. When I feel like it is too much work, I browse your blog and am invigorated!
I have looked at that measuring cup many times. One of these days I will get one 🙂 My BEST Christmas present this year has been people donating money to the vet for my service dog to get better. Zeke the service dog always watches me can…just in case I drop something yummy or he is needed for pre-wash 🙂
I’ve already gotten some of these items for my sister, aka my canning partner extraordinaire!
Great list! Definitely a few things I’ll be adding to my list!
Love the site! I am making the rosemary salt and the tangerine dust for my sister for Christmas. I would love either the “Putting Up” book (?from the Univ of GA?) or the stockpot.
Ooh ooh ooh stock pot please! Ours seems to have vanished and since our kitchen is about the size of my closet, well… it’s a goner. So a stock pot is definitely on my Christmas list.
I attended an applesauce canning class and I’m so excited to start doing more.
The Weck jars are so pretty, I’ve been wanting them a long time!
I love using the half pint squats too, and usually can find them at my neighborhood Ace Hardware Store (it has a surprisingly nice selection of canning stuff).
And what I’m searching for is a place to buy culinary cheesecloth in larger pieces than those tiny plastic bags in the regular stores. Maybe 10 yard pieces? 20 yard?
I already have the 2qt. measuring cup so this isn’t an entry, but I just wanted to say thank-you for this post (and your blog:)
I was looking for a replacement canning pot as well as a bigger stock pot and never thought of using the same pot for both jobs. Now I can simplify things and buy a better pot for both applications …..yippee!
And visions of Weck jars danced in my head…
What a nice give away! One thing I would love to find under my tress is another stove top! Okay I know it’s not going to happen. But it’s always a dream.
great post marisa! i love all these things!
🙂
Mom, if you are reading this, I already have a funnel and jar lifter and measuring cups and stuff, but I would love the 2-quart measuring cup! Also, towels are always handy and floursack towels would be lovely.
Marisa, thanks for the list!
I never even knew that they made wide mouth 1/2 pints. Must go look for those.
oooooh that funnel, I love the lines and the look of it.
Oooh, fun! I have that stock pot, and I do 95% of my waterbath canning in it. I need to get a second one before next canning seasons.
Ohhh, my vacation would be complete with this stuff! Thanks.
Thanks for doing the giveaway! I just started canning (literally, this past Sunday) and made your apple-cranberry jam. I’m super excited and now having to fight the urge to can everything I can get my hands on.
Nice list of present ideas — I’ll send the link to my husband.
Oh the Weck Canning Jars for sure are now on my list. Ever since I saw them on Tigress’ blog I wondered how to track them down!
This would such an awesome present to myself were I to win it 🙂
That measuring cup looks amazing! I don’t currently have a liquids measuring cup (I’m a broke college student who is finally living on her own — roommates always had one), & this one seems awesome! I can see how it would be so helpful with preserving!
Thanks!
I’m messy so my funnel is a critical piece of my canning equipment. Also, I love the weck jars as well, but so does everyone else and they disappear. 🙂