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.
We use a big clam bake pot, on a propane burner, and outside! Especially during the summer…tomatoes 🙂
I use my soup pot with a silicone trivet. But I have a glass top stove and I worry because it gets really hot. Would love this unit.
I have a speckled pot but it takes a long time on my glass topped stove to get it going. It’d be nice to work with something new that can free up my stove for other things.
I have a water bath canner that I brought from Walmart a few years back and I just brought a pressure canner about a month ago. My goal is to make chicken stock and can it soon.
My grandmother introduced me to the wonderful world of canning a few years ago and I’m hooked! I don’t currently have a set-up at home– I have to borrow hers. This water bath canning pot would be well used and loved!
I use the classic water bath canner right now. I’m looking to branch out. I make all kinds of jams, jellies, and fruit.
i HWB can the old school way – a big enamel pot.
I use 2 older canners that were donated to me by ex canning friends and family. Thank you for giving everyone the opportunity to win this beauty!
We use an enamel pot on the kitchen stove. Very hot in summer- thinking of building something outside- but this would simplify.
I can on flat top stove, so this would be great to free up some space. Looks awesome
I have the good old water bath canner, that I use the insert from my pressure canner in as I hate the one that came with it. Got comfortable using the pressure canner last summer. I would be great to have this one that could free up stove top space!
I have a very old canning pot…kinda rusty but so am I.
Boy oh boy, would I love to give the electric ball canner a whirl! Aim currently using my huge SS stock pot for wb canning. I have even used my asparagus pot for very small batches.
I’ve never used an electric canner, but would like to try it out.
I’m using a pressure canner as a water bather … someday hope to have a real water bather as it takes way longer to heat up the water in a pressure canner. Helped to heat the water in our electric tea pot first!.
the hubs just got me a new waterbath canning pot since my other pot was made crappily and was rusting something fierce.
this set up would be awesome because it would leave the stovetop free to do other things – especiallyduring tomato season when multiple recipes are happening at one time!
I have my mother’s enamel water bath canning. Spots in the bottom that my dad repaired. I think it’s time is coming to a end soon.
I use my moms enameled wb canner! I would love to have this!!
I have the standard big Ball canning pot, but this would be so nice to use outside to avoid turning my kitchen into a sauna during tomato season.
I use a big stock pot for water bath canning and a pressure canner for other canning. Sometimes both are going at the same time – would love to give this a try.
I use whatever I can come up with depending on how much I’m canning on any given day. I’d love to have this!
I use a pot I bought at a garage sale. I would love to can outside in the summer!
i would love this!! Been canning for 40 yrs with the smallest pressure canner and my ole black kettle for water bath- love knowing what’s is my food!!
I use an enameled water bath, this is at least my 3rd one. I do have a big pressure cooker but don’t use it too often anymore as it is a bit heavy. I have been making more relishes,chutneys and fruit the past few years.
I can with an ancient canner….This canner looks so fun…Thanks for the chance. I hope I win!!!
I would love to win. I started canning a few years a go. And use a old blue enamel water bath pot I found at good will. It’s hard to use and takes a long time to use on my glass top stove.
I have my own canning pot, and Mom gave me hers when she downsized. But when the little mouse chewed through the cord on my stove, we replaced it with a glass top stove and I’ve been looking for something like this ever since. We’ve been canning outside on our propane camping stove, but for a small batch it’s too much to drag out and use. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
I am new to canning. Last year was my first year. I bought a Ball water bath canning pot. I do it on my stove but would love to be able not to as I worry about the weight on my flat glass topped stove. This would be awesome to try out this year. Or to have my burners to be cooking things to can and the canner working on the side not taking up a big burner. Thank you for the chance to win one! I hope some day to get a pressure canner.
I just finished a big kitchen reno and haven’t canned in it yet! I can’t wait to, though, and this would be an awesome addition since I’m not sure what my best set up will be.
I can all summer and fall. I don’t have a great setup and would LOVE to have this canning pot!!! Mine is 40 yrs old and rusting in places. The rack is falling apart. This pot would be a dream come true!!!
I currently use a large stockpot for my water bath canning and have tried a couple different trivets but haven’t come up with one i particularly love. So I generally stick with a crocheted dishcloth in the bottom of the pot. Love the idea of this electric canning pot that has the potential to be more mobile friendly!
Using a well loved, black and white speckled water bath canning pot. I have a flat top stove so the side burner on the grill is the go-to. Unfortunately, getting to the grill involves a flight of deck stairs so its not the safest set-up. Plus, with the grill outside, its difficult to keep a steady eye on the pot.
I’ve been using my pasta pot — and it’s insert — for the majority of things. I have a little cake rack that I use if I have taller jars. And I just picked up a used asparagus pot which I think might work well for extremely tiny batches….
But this looks really nice.
I use my great aunts old canner. Still works great and for canning tomatoes I have resorted to using the base of the turkey fryer outside on the driveway. Keep that heat outside!!
I use a classic Ball canning pot on my stove. I don’t have air conditioning, so I love the thought of being able to do the canning part out on my back patio!
I’m just getting started and slowly collecting items needed to start canning. I have the black speckled washer bath. I would love to have the electric one!x
I have the black speckled pot. This canner is beautiful!
i normally use the enameled wb canning pot, but we are now in a rental with a smooth top range & I’m worried about marring the surface using my canner.
A countertop canner would be ideal for me. I’ve really missed canning!
i use an an old pot that was given to me years ago! I would love this!
I use a standard pot in a ridiculously old an horribly laid out rental kitchen, so I can much less now unless it’s in large batches. This is perfect to give me the flexibility I need!! Amazing!! 🙂
I need one like this I can 70 to more jars of salsa every year an I am bad for this than I end up giving it away I make 3-5 different kinda salsa. I absolute need one like this .it would be awesome plus we make pickle beets ,pickle watermelon an list goes on.hopen win one.
I have 4 enameled water bath canners. One is glass lined. All have the old wire racks. I take the glass lined one outside on hot days and use over a propane burner. Usually I can on propane stove. One canner is so large it takes two burners. This would make it easier to get my 12 yr old involved. She is always wanting to help.
i currently use what my mom had. Just a hot water bath for high acid products. I have a large stock pot and tongs. That’s about it.
I’ve been using the old stove top canning pot for years. I would ❤️the new one.
I’m using some things my mother gave me. And yes, she probably got them from my grandma. Lol I’d love a “new rig”!
This is amazing! I use a speckled canner pot with a rack, but sometimes I do smaller batches in a stock pot with the silicone trivet setup. Even if I don’t win this giveaway I’m thinking of investing in an induction burner so I can work outside; that’s genius!
I use an old enameled water bath canner, usually using either a propane camp stove or turkey fryer out on my porch. (The water heats up much faster than on my stove, and it doesn’t heat the house up.) If we’re in production mode, my husband usually mans the canner/timer while I’m prepping the next batch.
I team up with Mom…time to get my own! This would do the trick nicely. 🙂
I have a Ball water bath canner (stove top) for big projects, a stock pot with a trivet for small and a pressure canner for stock, tomatoes and a few other things. I would love to be able to free up a burner since my stove top is small.
I use the classic black speckled pot! I make jam all summer long to keep my 3 Littles in pbj’s the rest of the year, but am eager to branch out this year with homegrown tomatoes and pickled cukes and carrots!
I would love this unit. I have the large Ball Canning pot which I use outside but this unit would be a dream come true for me.
Oh man, would this be great! We have an induction stove which makes canning tricky with my old school, but not-so-old standard blue-speckled canning pot. Normally these one use contraptions don’t do it for me, but this one looks awesome!
I use my Great-grandmas water bath canner. She canned everything and I am slowly getting started. So far I have made salsa and jams. This year I plan to can a lot more!
I am new to canning I am trying to learn everything there is to know. This would be awesome to have.
I want one of these so bad. I have a $100 ball waterbath stock pot but a glass stove top so I get worried it is going to break. I have had my eye on this since it was announced. Really wish I hadn’t spent the money on that new pot now!
Prior to my move I used the big blue flecked enameled pot for canning — but now have a glass top stove with only 3 fully functional burners. I had thought I’d have to go to small batch canning due to space, but this FreshTECH electric canner would make things much simpler.
I would absolutely love to have this electric canner. I use my own canner which I have had for years. It’s stove top. I don’t use a pressure canner. Wish I could win this!!
I am currently using my mom’s waterbath canner from the 70s and also have a pressure canner but am moving to a house with a glass top stove so I can’t use it there, wahh! This would be such a wonderful addition to our set up! With a huge garden I am gonna need as many tools as possible to put it all up!
I water bath can on my electric apartment-sized stovetop, which means that the large canning pot is really too big for the burners, but it works well enough. I always love reading about the other options available – and dream of a day when they might be feasible for me.
I use one of those great big speckled pots – but it’s getting harder and harder to lift it when it’s full of water! Would love to have one that I can just set beside the sink, can, and then drain.
I have a rotating set of pots I use depending on the batch size. I have a stockpot with Blossom silicone trivet for smaller batches and a giant water bath canning pot with a special heat gauge on the glass lid that tells you when you’re in the safe canning zone, which means I don’t leave the heat on high and end up splashing water all over the stove from worrying that my boil is not boiling enough. The large one is invaluable for the large batches or when I want to do quart jars, but I’m intrigued by the idea of processing off the stove. Often, my stove has multiple preserves cooking in addition to the canner. Last year, I even had two canning pots going at once. That was a hectic day!
I’m in the market for a canning system. I’ve only ever made freezer jam. However, I used to help my Mom can peaches, jam, etc. This looks like a great system.
Thanks for the opportunity to win one!
I’m new to canning and have taken a few classes. I have a large stockpot, but would love to upgrade.
I just moved to my new house and unfortunately it has a glass top surface on the stove. I am going to need to figure something out different this season.
I have used the same water bath canner for at least 25 years. It looks pretty sad but still holds water. It’s a little more challenging to use on my glass top but I still manage. It looks exactly like the one my mom used my whole life. This looks like an answer to the problem of glass top stoves! Should be very popular!!
Stock pot with silicone ring needing and update.
ive canned my whole life , and would love to have this canner !
I have my mum’s old canning stock pot *somewhere*, but it’s lost among the piles of things in storage since I went off to college. Since then, I’ve just been freezing jars instead of really canning them.
We have a speckled canner but a glass top stove. We have canned outside on a turkey fryer base. Not convenient at all. Would love to win this canner!
I have my grandmother’s old canner but I am scared to use it! Right now I only can tomatoes and jellies, which I just get the lids and jars hot enough to seal. Would love to win this canner!
Wow, this looks great. I’m currently using a stockpot/silicone trivet (idea from you) set up and it works well but this looks pretty fabulous.
I’m using my mom’s old speckled canner. But I’m a tech geek and have heard good things about this new ball system! Would love to try it!
I use my grandmother’s water bath canner now but I also got a pressure canner for Christmas!
Ive been borrowing my mother’s canner for 30 years.would love to win one. I am going to put this on my wish list. Would a save on my flat top stove.
I use an old water bath set, I love canning pickles and sauerkraut that I make, and many other things that are so much better home made.
I just learned to can this past year. I needed to expand my home garden to save money and feed my kids healthy produce. As a consequence, I also needed to learn preserving. I got my water bath canner from my mother-in-law. It is one of the traditional, speckled, enameled pots with a rack in it. I found a jar lifter and other tools at a garage sale, got jars and lids on clearance at the store. I am processing bigger batches all the time, and having a tool like this electric canner to simplify the process would allow me to have extra time for other family activities. Thanks : )
Oh, me, me, me, me, please!
I’m hoping to get started canning in the next couple weeks, borrowing my mom’s equipment.
Haven’t canned in a few years, but would love to start again and teach my granddaughters!
I enjoy canning but have not been able to do much since I moved and have a smooth top stove. This is the PERFECT solution!
I use a large pot and rack. I am able to manage about 4 pints at a time, I’m so ready for bigger equipment. I would love to graduate to the electric canner!
I have the canning supplies that my mother passed down to me. Most of it is from the 50 and 60’s. I actually kind of afraid of some of it. I would love some new and safe equipment.
What a wonderful giveaway! I actually used my sweet neighbor’s canning equipment last time, and need my own. This looks great!! 🙂
I have put together my canning set-up mostly from yard sale finds. I have a large pressure canner that I just got a couple years ago. Unfortunately I have not used it much due to two terrible garden seasons. I’m hoping this year is better. I also have standard stock pots with the silicone trivets, and some large stainless pans I use for cooking the berries or tomatoes or whatever down. I would gladly give up the stock pots for this canner.
I love canning and never find it in my local stores. I wish to try it
really not doing anything. Still in the learning phase.
I only got to make 1 batch of jam last year (your delicious tomato jam), but used a large stainless steel stock pot with a silicone trivet. I have an induction cooktop and do have a little concern over using it for canning over and over. I just read an article that talked about how great this new canner is in the Washington Post this morning – looks like a winner!
I’m using a speckled canner on my stove top. I LOVE the idea of being able to can on my patio. Canning peaches & tomatoes on 100+ degree days in my kitchen is brutal.
I have an old modern maid propane stove out on my porch ( canning kitchen) that I use in summer to can on .with all the canning I do this would be a wonderful gift to me and my family. please enter me in this contest . Thank you
I currently use the speckled canner that my Mom passed down to me. Well, she graciously gave it to me when I began canning. I still hear about it every time they put on a Lowcountry Boil and can’t find anything big enough to boil the crab in! I’ve tried to find a similar one, but they’re not easy to buy anymore it seems. I use the trivet-like thing that came with it to keep the jars off the bottom. Other than that, I use a funnel, some tongs with grips and a kitchen towel to set my hot jars on. I admit it would be nice to have something off the stove to process jars in, since I’m usually still in the process of making a second batch when I’m trying to process the first. The pour spout would be nice, too, since I get impatient and want to dump the boiling water not long after I’ve pulled out my last jar. This is pretty comical and sometimes painful…
i have only canned one time decades ago. I freeze or donate all extra produce to local food banks. I would cherish this canner so I can take up preserving my tomatoes and jam. Fingers crossed!
Oh, winning this would be wonderful. I have a glass top cooker and worries every time I can. I currently use my pasta pot for the water bath which results in a fair amount of splashing boiling water because it’s really not big enough. I have decided against a proper canning pot, like the classic speckled one, because the base is just too wide and I don’t want a cracked cooked top. Thanks for the reminder about purchasing a separate element!
I use the classic speckled pot on my (ugh) electric stove. This pot would be an amazing addition to my canning life!
I have a glass top stove and cannot can on it. I use t he standard water bath canner and pressure canner outside on a propane camp stove. I usually have to wait for my son to be home so he can lift it for me. This electric canner will make canning a joy once again. I would just LOVE this canner!
I use a large stockpot with a separate canning rack I bought. It’s great because I don’t get to use the stockpot much otherwise, and the rack fits perfectly. It works well for now, but I can’t make large batches of preserves.
Big ol pot
I use a pressure canner I purchased in1977. A stainless steel pot for a water bath. I also do almost all my canning on my back porch using my Cache Cooker camp stove
I have a water bath and a steamer. My sister and I fumbled together and finally mastered my grandmothers chili sauce recipe!
I would love to win this. I have a glass top stove and just don’t feel comfortable canning for extended periods of time on it. I will can small batches of jam but thats about it on it. For my bulk canning projects, they are done outside, on the side burner of our grill. But, I have to depend on the weather for that. It is often windy, so pot doesn’t heat properly due to flame jumping around. I have to wait for late at night for it to be calm sometimes.
I have that classic speckled canning pot! It gets the job done! However, I’m going to upgrade to a pressure cooker with a gauge for canning fish this year. I have noticed that my canning pot doesn’t heat up the same way on different stove-tops and sometimes it can be an issue when trying to time runs properly. This seems like an easy way around that, and I’d love to have one!
I am currently canning with a water bath canner on an electric stove in our tiny apartment. It works well but i would really love to try canning new things. I can moslty fruits, jams and spreads for my co workers, dad, and family and freeze everything from my balcony garden that would require pressure canning. This new canning method looks interesting. i would really love to give this canner a test drive.