Over the last decade, the Ball Canning folks have brought a handful of canning appliances to market. The first was the FreshTECH Jam and Jelly Maker in the summer of 2012. The FreshTECH Automatic Home Canning System was the thing during the 2014 canning season. And now, we have the Ball FreshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker.
This electric canner is exactly what I know a number of you have been hoping for. It’s a giant pot that has an independent element so that you can move your processing pot off your stove top and over to the counter.
It holds 8 quarts, nine pints, or a dozen regular mouth half pints (that means that if you stack them, you can process 24 quarter pint jars at once). It’s particularly great if your stove is slow to boil water or if you’ve been warned off canning on a glass top cooktop. It works like any other boiling water bath canner, so if you live at higher altitudes, you will still need to adjust your processing time upwards.
It has a spout on the left side of the canner, so if your kitchen is arranged in a way where you can set the canner to the right of your stove, you can drain the water directly into the sink. The canner comes with a steaming rack as well as a canning rack, so that you can use it for all your high capacity steaming needs (I could see it being perfect for tamale parties).
It can also be used as a portable cooker, so can work for large amounts of soup, chili, or even something like mulled cider. Nice if you help with community potlucks or church suppers.
I’ve now run a number batches of jars through the canner and I am really happy with it. It’s not going to become my primary boiling water bath because I make a lot of small batches and it doesn’t make sense to heat up this much water for two or three pints, but for larger batches, it’s a boon.
It’s also incredibly useful during tomato season and I’ve started bringing it with me to my classes and workshops where I know we’re making multiple batches and so we’ll need more canner space.
This canner does cost $149.99, which is a pretty penny if you already have a canning set-up you like. If you like the idea of moving your canning pot off your stove top but can’t swing that price point, there is a more affordable way to create something similar.
Get yourself an induction capable stock pot (a classic speckled canner with a flat bottom will work) and the induction burner I have (it’s just $60) and you have a canner you can run anywhere (I highly recommend outdoor canning on really hot days).
My bottom line on the Ball FreshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner is that it’s a great tool for people who do lots of large batch canning. If you have the budget and storage space for it, I highly recommend it.
Disclosure: The folks at Ball Canning sent me a FreshTECH Electric Canner for review and photography purposes at no cost to me. They are also provided a giveaway unit. No additional compensation was provided for this post and all opinions expressed are my own.
I currently have a super large stock pot/water canner. It is really hard to use, and it would be awesome to have a new one. I have only been canning for about 3 years, and I LOVE it.
I am a novice canner, hope to do more this year. I have an enamel canner and I am hoping to do a lot more this year!
using the old blue water bath like the kind my grandmother used to use in her canning days. I didn’t get her’s, I had ordered this one many year’s ago. its a small one. I am a beginner one and have yet to get a pressure canner that I would love to get someday. the canned foods you get from the store have so many additives that its best to start canning your own food so you know what really is in the foods you eat. This would be a neat treasure and I am SURE that whoever the winner is will so enjoy it.
Honestly I have never canned, but would love to start, mostly so I willknow what is in my food. This sure would make it easier!
I can see that I could definitely use thisite for canning outside in the south.
I use a hot water bath pot or a huge pressure cooker depending on what I am canning.
I need a canner to preserve my foodstuff. My mom canned all the time with what she called a cold packer.
I need a canner to preserve my foodstuff. My mom canned all the time with what she called a cold packer. This would give me a good starting point.
I have been canning for over 40 yrs and everything I have is old school..I would love to move into the modern age
Thank You…
I have a water bath canner that was given to me my by mother-in-law.
My canning setup stinks! I have a glass top electric stove, and after verifying that it is rated for canning, I bought a cheapo flat-bottom stock pot that fits the criteria for safe canning according to my cooktop (i.e. few and far between in my price range). So it takes forever to heat to boiling and only holds about 5 pints or 3 quarts. But, at least it gets the job done, however slowly. I might try a heavy-duty camp stove for an outdoor set up if I ever get a pressure canner one of these days, as my cooktop also has a weight/pot size limit, sigh. This electric canner is quite nifty and way cheaper than a new gas stove!
I am using an old fashioned blue speckled water bath canner with a stainless steel trivet in the bottom. Due to a bi-lateral mastectom, I am now limited to how much weight that I can lift. This new electric water bath canner would be perfect. I can use it and drain it at the edge of the sink without having to move it.
Love your blog that my husband found for me. Great recipes, tools and tips. Very unique and useful. I can see why you have so many people reading your blog. Love it!
I started canning last summer. I did dill pickles and hot peppers. I used a big old pot that I have to d the hot water bath. This year I would like to include canning tomatoes and salsa. I will need a better setup for this. I would love to win this electric canner!
I used to use a pressure canner but am looking for a new set up. The last time I used my heavy duty pressure canner, an electric surge randomly went thru my electric stovetop, arched through the pot and burned a half inch hole thru the pot (allowing an entire canner’s worth of boiling water to drain all. over. the. place)! Stove needed replacing, next the canner!
I don’t have one but want to start canning like my mom.
I use my pressure canner mostly, but I’ve been leaving that at my mom’s house because she wants to get back into canning! Half of the burners on my stove aren’t working right now…so canning is a bit difficult for me…I’m going through withdrawals!!!
I have gone through 2 speckled pots. The one I have now, the insert for the jars has rusted and I know one of these days I will have to replace it. This is the first I have read about the new electric water bath canner. I know it would be a positive for me, but not within my budget at this time. I do have my mom’s steam canner and one I purchased many moons ago. I can LOTS of pickles and this new canner would definitely help me. Good luck to all!
I am new to the world of canning, my sister found me a big blue speckled water bath pot at good will in Florida. I brought it home to NY and so far I’ve attempted Bluberry jam. I can’t wait to try other recipes like peaches, pickles and salsa. This new Ball FreshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker would help out so much and make my canning so much fun. Thank you for the chance to enter.
I am using an old canner pot I got at a garage sale, unless I can borrow my moms old canner! Which actually works better. Each year I try to can a little more, each year it’s harder and more time consuming. After checking this system out, I am very impressed and would love an opportunity to have one.
I have only started canning a few years ago. I have canned salsa and tomato sauce. I would love to branch out and try different things, but can’t afford new equipment. I use an old enameled pot. This looks so cool!
I have my mother’s canner. She may have gotten it from my grandmother. We bought an extra water bath canner at a garage sale so we have a backup. I grew up watching my grandmother can jams and jellies. We used to go out to the crab apple tree and would try to get as many as we could and she would make the best crab apple jelly.
i have always used a 7 qt water bath canner,for 30+ years.Would love this new one
I have been using a canner that I purchased used at a garage sale. It’s looking pretty rough at this point, but I’m thankful for the service it has given my family. This canner looks like it works amazing. I would love to own one. Thanks for a chance.
What a wonderful invention!!! I didn’t know there was anything like it on the market. Would love to have one to make canning easier.
Amazing! I’m just using an old fashioned pot + a cake cooking rack at the moment!
I recently moved into a home with a glass stove top so I have had to move my canning to a large burner that I plug in on the counter. I think I will move it outside this summer. My only problem is pressure canning. I cannot get the pressure canner up to the proper temperature with my set up.
I have (2) Blue speckled canners that I use now. This electric canner would be great to have and get my canning done alittle quicker. Thanks and God Bless 🙂
I’ve only been canning for two years and most of my equipment is from flea markets. I was hesitant to spend much as I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy or not enjoy canning. Well, I’m hooked and it’s time to get a bit high tech.
I am just starting out and collecting supplies. This would be a great addition! We are preparing for a move to Tennessee on a homestead where canning will be crucial. Thank you for this great opportunity!
I still use the traditional speckled enamel pot n wire rack for water bath canning. Would love to upgrade to a newer more efficient set up and branch out from simple canning to processing fresh to canned in summer /fall to get thru to the next summer. I need to have more capacity n versatility than i currently have available. This sounds like it fits the bill perfectly,and would allow access to better cheaper produce during more expensive out of season months for a family struggling with the food bill. would love to put this wonderful product to the test. Thank you for the opportunity.
I learned to can with my Mom when I was a teen on a dairy farm in southern MN. I have been canning on my own since my 20’s (now 57!) and I use old genuine Gramma pots. My boiling water bath is a HUGE blue canner that I place on a burner that is used for cooking turkeys in oil. It gets the water hot quickly and doesn’t take long to do big batches~ :))
I`m new to canning, have a Presto Pressure Cooker Canner, not too sure of accuracy of canner. Am very nervous of it blowing up. Would love to win the Ball Electric canner so that I can have non GMO veggies from my organic garden all year long. Thanks for the chance.
I inherited my mother’s pot which is older than me.
I’m in my second year of canning grape jelly from the Concord grapes in my yard. In the market for a real canning set up(no pun intended)this would be great!
I’m looking for a new and innovative method to use since I currently have a glass top cook range which limits my jar processing ability. This would be the perfect solution!
brilliant, I have an old blue canner Ive been totin around for years, and although its been a great piece of cookware I cant tell you how wonderful this would be for my ole’ hot flashin self this summer!
I don’t use my grandmother’s pot; I use her sister’s which
I inherited. I love canning fresh foods each summer.
I just bought my Presto canner 4 years ago and have only used it twice. It’s kind of confusing and scary! I wish I had someone to help me!
I have been canning for years. Have an old water bath canner I bought at a thrift shop. I also have my mothers pressure canner. Love trying new things and an electric canner is something I have wanted. Thanks for the opportunity to have a chance and winning.
Lent my pressure cooker to someone 2 years ago and haven’t seen it since. I’m currently using a chipped blue speckled pot found at a yard sale. I didn’t even know they made this product till tonight. I’ll be asking Santa for this in December. WooHoo.
I still can the ‘old fashioned’ way. This looks like a lot less heat in August!
i actually do not yet have a setup and I am looking for the right one. Thank you!
I have been collecting canning supplies via second hand/garage sale style. As well as inherited canning must haves from my grandmother. There are some things that are always better, old school. I am almost ready for the coming years canning season. I am always looking for ways to can in bigger batches – faster.
thank you in advance
We use a large stainless pot with a old rack from a dumpling steamed on the bottom
I don’t see my comment so please don’t count as double lol but I do cold canning now have only canned with friends w steam / boil but want this bad as I am buying the land next to my house just to garden thank you.
I have a blue porc boiler canner…I use it for all my boiler canning needs…I have also used it to blanch my vegies before freezing..(double duty)……also have used it to make REALLY big batches of stew, goulash or sauce for large family gatherings..(triple duty).
I would like to purchase the ball fresh tech electric pot and cannot find one
I’m so sorry, but I think it may have been discontinued.
I have a Ball Fresh Tech electric canner and need to find a replacement cord. Do you know who I should contact?
I’d suggest that you reach out to the Ball Home Canning Customer Service team. You can send them a note here: https://www.freshpreserving.com/support/contact-us
I am currently using the freshtech jam and jelly canner. Maybe this is why my lids are buckling. I would love to have a new canner.
My husband is a farmer. We love fresh vegetables. My mother in law is bed ridden so I am very limited as to being outside to can and it gets really hot in the summer in N.C so I can’t really can like I want to in the house. I saw this canner that I didn’t even new existed and I fell in love. I said I’ve got to have this! I love it and so excited we can eat everything fresh all year long.
I’m so glad you like it!
Can I use this for steam bath canning?
Yes. It works well for steam canning.
I am 73 years old and have been canning for about 50 years now. An electric canner is my dream machine. Canning now is more important now than ever and hopefully I can pass this along to my children and grandchildren.
The canner is indeed a terrific asset if you are doing a lot of batches. I had my own jam making operation supporting a local fruit stand, making a lot of product. Bought this canner and my efficiency went up, the temp in the kitchen went down. Then the spigot broke and Ball does not support this product with replacement parts. In fact, they are discontinuing it…. Amazon get replacements in, or so I am led to believe by reviews of the part, but every time I look they are out and don’t know when they will get more in..
I’m so sorry to hear that your spigot broke, but at least you can still use the canner without it (though I can see how it would be a pain to drain).
Can this be used for pressure canning?
No, this is only for water bath canning. It’s not a pressure canner.
I have this and I love it! It doesn’t heat the house up it clears the stove to make cooking jams jellies peppers tomatoes or whatever you sre making to can. Highly recommend
I’ve been using the ball canner for almost 8 years. Just had to replace it this year. I canned for my family of 5 until the kids were all grown. Not its just us 2. He’s a trucker and loves taking homemade canned meals to warm up in the hotel. Saves money on his lunches each week.
Looking for a birthday gift for my wife she put up 140 quarts this year looking for something easier for her
This would be a great gift for her!
How big of a pot can you put on the induction burner for canning? I see on the Amazon listing that 25 lbs is the most weight you should put on the burner. Do you usually have more than that on it? And do you use a Graniteware canning pot? I have three of them, I guess they’re the 21 qt size.
I am moving and will have a flat top electric range instead of gas as I have now. I will get the Fresh Tech canner, but thought maybe I’d get the induction burner too.
Thanks!
I typically use a light weight stainless steel pot that holds 5 quarts on an induction burner. It comes in under the weight limit. I don’t imagine a graniteware canning pot with seven quarts would be too much for an induction burner, though I think it does better with a pot that doesn’t overhang the footprint of the induction burner.