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 have a regular blue and white speckled enamel canning pot, which of course works just fine on my stove, but our microwave is mounted really low so it takes some gymnastics to get the jars in and out of the pot! I tried using a similar induction burner but just get all that water to actually boil…the bottom of my canning pot has ridges, rather than a smooth bottom so that must be my problem. We have a great little porch area off of the kitchen….this Ball set up looks like it would be perfect to take my canning operation outside!!
I’m currently using a spare stovetop canning rig that my mother had – it’s quite possible it was her mother’s, and Mom got it when she died. One of the good old kinds. I even have an ancient metal canning funnel. I did have to upgrade to a new jar lifter recently, since the old one I inherited wasn’t gripping like it should anymore. I haven’t used that yet, and I’m impatiently waiting for berries & rhubarb to come into season up here so I can!
The electric set-up would be great for when I’m running a bigger batch, or don’t want to steam up the house as much. The kettle on my stove steams up the bay window all the way in the dining room, even when I’ve got all the other doors and windows open.
I’m currently using an ancient stock pot. Wow, how nice it would be to have one of these set ups!
I have a big old stock pot I use that was my wife’s grandma’s. ..it has a wire rack that fits in it too ….would love something new
My in-laws taught me how to make jam and I was hooked with canning. I homebrew beer, so I appropriate one of my kettles to use for a hot water bath. It didn’t fit on the stove top great but did ok for a while. Now it has a leak, so I need to replace it. I also have a pressure canner from my mother in law but I don’t know how to use it yet – on my to-do list for sure!
I have one of those old fashioned speckled pots and I’ve tried to use the silicone trivet but it drives me nuts because it floats! And, because mine is black, I can’t even see it against the black pot. So I would LOVE a new rig!
I have a large stock pot with a silicon trivit. It works pretty well, but am a little limited on the jar size I can process since my stock pot is not incredibley tall. Works great for half pints and pints; quarts are a little scary.
I have just started canning. Figs and muscadine jelly were my first projects. This year will add pickles, salsa and okra to my regime. I have a blue speckled canner and a pressure canner from my grandma, but I have made small batches and have just used my regular stock pot for my figs. I have a gas stove. Working outside would be a blessing….all that steam and heat makes for a hefty energy bill!! and since it is already 102, it wouldn’t have to work so hard to get to temp!!
Use my stockpot, with a rubber trivet on the bottom to protect the jars from direct contact with the hot bottom of the pot.
I have my mother’s canning kit 🙂
We use a cheap stock pot on an outdoor stovetop since our kitchen is tiny : )
I currently have about three to four canning setups. The one I grew up using was a vintage Presto pressure canner that belonged to my great-grandmother, and now my mom (canned beef and soups err’where!). The others I have include a Granite Ware boiling water bath canner for larger batches, a medium soup pot with a round cake rack for short jars (half pint wide mouths are max!), and finally, a 2 gallon stainless steel tall stock pot, but for which I’ve been unsuccessful in finding a proper-fitting rack or trivet. I’ve used a dishtowel for those batches, but it can get dicey! We are remodeling our kitchen soon, and will likely go the way of the glass top range, so I’m planning to get one of these bad boys. If anything, it will be nice just for the remodel period when I am without a proper kitchen!
Most of my items have been purchased from thrift stores or are hand me downs. I don’t can as often as I would like to as my kitchen is small.
This would be great. I am always afraid of doing something terrible to/with my glass top stove… which leaves me the great “canning assistant.” Always willing to lend a hand if someone else is processing/canning a big batch,… for a small portion of the product.
I’m a very novice at canning, but definitely willing to learn the different techniques!
Newby canner here. Have old water bath canner. Bought several canning book and am hoping to learn some new things to can more of what I grow.
i am using an old enamel water bath canner. I have degenerative arthritis in my shoulders and have problems moving the put. The spigot on this pot would be a Godsend!
I would love this! I currently use the traditional huge pan on my head stove. It’s miserable in the summer because we don’t have a/c AND my anti hormone medication (I’m a breast cancer survivor) causes horrible hot flashes.
I’ve canned for 30 some years. I have two canning pots that I purchased and like to do my canning on the back porch so the house doesn’t get so hot. I fill the jars inside my kitchen and then take them out back to bubble away on a two burner propane gas stove. My girlfriend and I can put up about three bushels of peaches up in a day. For smaller batches I process them in the kitchen.
i still use the old waterbath canner. Works for me. Love to make jam every summer!
My present canning set up consist of a stock pot I use on a weekly basis for cooking my family meals and a few other odds and end pots that can usually accommodate the amount of jam or veggie I am trying to process. Would love to win this contraption. Would make things so much easier for me. Love your website by the way. Have both of your books, hurry up on the next one – can’t wait!
I’ve a standard water bath canner I bought myself ten years ago, a much larger one my step mother gave me when she married my father a few summers ago, a ceramic water bath canner that my husband found heaven only knows where, and lastly I have my really old pressure canner that I found practically brand new at an estate sale. Still had the price tags on it from like the 70’s. I replaced seals that had since warped in the 40 years since it was tucked away in it’s previous home and use it once or twice a year. I have to have so many because I make 50-100 jars of jam and jelly each year for christmas gifts.
I have used the blue enamel water bath on my glass top stove for years and now I’m finding out its not recommended. I have been doing this old school for many many years. Maybe its time for something new.
I had canned Years ago with my Grandmother, was reintroduced to canning by a friend last year. Since then I have been trying out different set ups, since I have a glass cook top. My most recent is a pasta pot with the silicon trivet that you highlighted in one of your posts. It works, however the batches are small and numerous to make one product. this pot looks like the perfect solution!
I have an old oval type canner that sits on two burners. It was given to me from my husband’s Aunt. I have used it for well over 30 years and it has done a great job. I can’t carry it when it’s full so I have to carry water from the sink (across the kitchen and around the island) to the stove. It is getting harder to do as I’m not as young as I use to be. I love home canned fruits and vegetables because they taste better, there are no additives or preservatives in them, and I know my fruits and veggies have been properly cleaned. I also have a glass top stove and fear that it will crack. Your canner looks like a dream and I wish I would have had one years ago. I would love and cherish it as I canned up a storm.
I have a pressure canner that I’ve been using for my water-bath canning as well. It’s rather heavy. If I don’t win this system, I’ll be switching to a stock-pot with a silicone trivet!
I have tried canning and find it cumbersome ! I would LOVE this new canner! I plan to have LOTS of tomatoes from my garden this year! Thank you for having this give-away! meo
I use my mom’s old pressure cooker for my canning needs. The seal is getting worn and a new electric one would be awesome !
I was using an old soup pot and a silicone trivet for canning, until I accidently left the gas burner on and melted the trivet into the pot. Had to trash both the pot and trivet and need a new canner before the spring/summer season.
i do not have a canner anymore. I gave my pressure canner to my sister and brother-in-law. I am welcome to borrow it any time. I would love to have an electric canner.
I’ve got a regular canning pot and it works great, but I’d sure love an easy way to can outside during the summer!
I bought everything new. I’m just now learning about pressure canning
I usually do quick-pickle types of “canning” because I don’t have a proper canning setup. I’ve tried canning some jams using a big pot, but haven’t been terribly successful yet. This could help a lot!
For half-pints I’ve been using a classic Calphalon stockpot with it’s own perforated thingy at the bottom (I have NO idea what it’s for otherwise). I have a speckled canning pot with a slightly concave bottom, but it takes FOREVER to heat on my electric stove, and since it’s concave, I haven’t gone the induction route.
I would love to put up tomato quarts, but it’s not gonna work w/my current setup. And my husband hasn’t approved my spending $20K to gut/remodel the kitchen (which would include a gas stove that will kick that concave pot in the shins).
<3 the idea of taking canning outside !!!!
We have several canning pots – thanks to great prices at yard sales. 🙂 Since we have a large garden and preserve a lot for the winter, we have been using a HUGE canning pot. I think it holds 22 pints and takes up two burners of the stove. But, it’s a time saver in the midst of preserving season!
the ol’ enamelwear. would love to go electric and keep the house cool, plus how handy would it be for potlucks!
Blue & white speckled enamel canning pot–for pints & quarts. I tend to use my IKEA stock pot for half pints with a rack filched from an old pressure cooker.
My mom has taught me to can. She had given me one of her water bath canners…Well we tried it on my stove and it burnt the burner. So we have to use it outside on a turkey roaster thing (never have used it for a turkey just for canning and chili). My husband left water in it one night and put a small pin hole in it. We replaced it. It’s not always easy canning outside. One good thing my house does not get hot but last summer I went to dump the hot water out (didn’t wait since it was so late and wanted to get to bed) I tripped and spilled the boiling water on my foot. Anyways, I go up to my parents to can green beans since I do not have a pressure cooker. I have learned a lot from my mom and can always call her and ask her questions. We love growing our garden and canning our food for winter. This summer/fall will be a little different with me going back to work. This new canner you are giving away would be AWESOME!!!!! Would love to be able to can in my house.
My canning setup is very basic as I’ve only just started. I have a classic speckled pot that was given to me, but it is well worn and could stand to be replaced. My kitchen is very small and without A/C canning in the summer months can be difficult. This would be a fabulous way to really make canning a part of my routine, and would free up more space on my stove for prep.
I have been using the same canner for 22 years. Would love to win this!
I’m using my grandmother’s giant speckled enamel canning set-up — but it is a bear in the hot Southern Maryland summers! I just read about this canner and it sounds amazing.
I started canning due to health concerns. I am using garage sale finds on a flat top stove. This would work so much better for me! I’ve only canned a couple of seasons so I’m still oh-so new to this! Love your jelly/jam maker. It really simplified things for me! Keep them coming!
Right now I am using a old enamel stockpot that I picked up at a thrift store. Due to a money issue I picked up what I can used. Really would love to have one of these. I have a old kitchen with two outlets and this would be a amazing help
I use a speckled pot.
I use the big blue speckled pot for canning. The idea of freeing up my stove top during the canning process encourages me to do more canning. 🙂
This looks like such a wonderful invention. My current canning is a waterbath canner that my mom had or a pressure canner. This would make the whole canning process so much better. Having another burner on the stove to prepare the canning product while processing jars, sounds like heaven! Thank you and the Ball corporation for the opportunity to win one!
I use a stock pot and just got a circular cooling rack to fit in it. I’m making my first batch of 2015 jam tonight, so we’ll see how it works! Strawberries are a month early in California!
I used a graniteware pot and a silicone trivet.
I have a large blue speckled caner. I am finding as I age I am having trouble picking it up to empty it. I love the idea of the spout! I appreciate the chance to win this caner as I do not want to give up my caning. It brings me too much joy to see the finished product.
I used a hardware store purchased speckled pot with a wire rack. It works fine, but this looks like a great multi-purpose piece that I would love to add to my kitchen collection.