Over the summer, the folks at Ball sent me one of their new to FreshTECH Jam and Jelly Makers
to try out. I spent a few weeks playing around with it and in early September, I wrote a blog post documenting how it works and how the jam I made turned out. You can read that post here.
Essentially, it’s a terrific tool for beginning jam makers focused on small batches, folks who don’t want to heat up their kitchens in the summer months, and anyone else who needs an extra hand when it comes time to preserve. If you make larger batches, really like using your stovetop and controlling the process (count me among that group), then it may not be the perfect appliance for you. Happily, there’s enough space in the canning world for all of us.
One of the limitations of the FreshTECH is simply that there aren’t a ton of recipes designed to make use of it at this time. However, the recipe developers over at Fresh Preserving (that’s Ball’s online home) are trying to change that. They are regularly adding new fruit and spice combinations to the website (click here to see all the currently available recipes) and are asking for input on which seasonal recipes they should work on creating in advance of the holiday months.
If there’s a particular preserve that you’d like to see, make sure to click over to the Ball Facebook and leave a suggestion. You can also tag them on Pinterest if you’ve made a preserve you think might be good transformed into one for the FreshTECH.
This giveaway has closed.
I use my dutch oven to be sure that it doesn’t begin to burn. That and it’s how my Grandma, who taught me how to can, always did it. 🙂
I just use what ever pot is available usually my same pot I do my sauces in.
It’s stovetop jam making for me. Though once I used the slow cooker to make fruit butter.
I have not actually made any preserves yet, but have been doing research to start making my own! 🙂 This blog inspires me so much! 🙂
stovetop
This would totally get me out of the JAM I’m in…As a newbie, I really haven’t ventured into the canning arena yet, I am a little scared although if you check out my blog, I love to cook…I plan on making Jams and Sauces as Christmas gifts…Help get me out of this sticky mess so like Obama I can say “yes I CAN”!!!
I use the stove top. That’s the only way I’ve ever used. Thanks
Crock pot is so easy – I love it!
Usually stovetop for me, but I have successfully made fig jam in the microwave (namely http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/spicy_fig_orange_microwave_jam/) that has turned out great too.
I’ve been wanting to learn to can for a while. This would be a great way to start.
This is something that I would like to try. So far I use the stove top.
I use the stove top but this piece of equipment looks like something I could really use.
Stove top thus far, but the slow cooker seems less effort – and I am all about less effort
I just learned how to make jam this year. This would be a wonderful item to help me continue my learning!
Never had the time to make jam yet, only tomato sauce. It’s on My List!
I like to use my Tamale pot to water bathe my preserves. I got it free last year when I bought something else at the grocery store. It is very light aluminum I think. And it has a solid rack with holes on the bottom. I really like it for water baths, and I’m always interested in dual purpose kitchen tools. If you want a tamale pot they are usually in stores around Nov-Dec and they are super cheap! I use the stovetop method, but since I have an electric its uneven. i think I will try the dutch oven method Brittany commented on….unless I win….then its Freshtech all the way!
I use the stove top, but am curious about this method.
My favorite way of making preserves is the good ol’ stovetop. But I’d love to try out this fun little jam-maker for small batches!
I use the stovetop. Just like Great-Grandma taught me.
The only way I’ve ever cooked preserves is on the stovetop…except for apple butter, which I do in the crockpot.
Brand new citizen to Canning World. I’ve only tried the stove-top method.
Interesting machine!
I love making jam and this would be an awesome tool to have in my kitchen.
First year canning at all! was taught to use the crockpot for making jam.. the apricots did fairly well but the peaches have a slight bitter taste to them, almost like they burned.. would love to try this out!
I’ve mostly used a stainless, wider and shallower stock pot for making jams, etc. Been tempted to get one of the jam specific pots with sloped sides. This seems it’d be nice for basic recipes as you say.
The only way (and thus my favorite) I have made preserves is on the stovetop. I’m going to have to try it in the CrockPot!
Thank you so much!
I use the stovetop.
This summer was the first time I have eery made preserves and it was very successful in large part thanks to this site! I have used both the stovetop and the slow cooker but think I preferred the stovetop. However, the slow cooker, or something like this appliance would be great for when I need to multitask!
I usually just go with the stovetop!
I would love to be able to make jams & jellies; I’ve tried & tried but it won’t set up for me…I’ve asked experts, but all are clueless as to what I’m doing wrong.
I use my Dutch oven. This looks fantastic!!
I cook preserves stovetop. I’m reading crock-pot recipes, but so far have been happy enough with stove-top that I’m sticking with it.
I always prefer a big stainless-steel pot and a wooden spoon. Everything goes in the dishwasher after, so easy to clean up.
I’m a newbie at this, but love it!!! I use the stovetop, so far so good!! Thank you 🙂
This has been my first canning season and it’s been fewer preserves and more butters. Whenever possible, I’ve used my oven rather than the stovetop. Otherwise the stovetop.
Usually stove top, but every now & again I like to go a week of making crockpot meals.
I usually throw things in one of my pots and make a go of it on the stove top 🙂 I’m still pretty new, so I don’t have much in terms of dedicated equipment.
I imagine that this would work much like my breadmaker which also has a jam making setting.
I would love to make small batches. Last time I attempted jam was on the stove top over 30 years ago. I have less energy, and only the use of one arm now, but I still want to make my own. Raspberry, blackberry, and cherry are my favorites.
I make mine on the stove pot and alternate between using a large, heavy sauce pot and a copper jam pan. 🙂
I am just getting into canning and don’t have a favorite method yet.
Crock pot
I like using my crock pot because I’m so busy with work and everything else it does the work for me.
I use my stove top!
Stovetop so far — but I’d love to try the FreshTECH!
I mainly use the stovetop, only occationally using the crockpot
I think the FreshTECH could be my favorite method!!!!
Since I do not have any other equipment, I only do stove top. Would love to try other methods, like this one. Looks fabulous!
Love your blog. I’ve only jarred a few times (with your help). I have used the stovetop in the same large stock pot I make soup in.
I am so lucky to have lots of access to fresh fruit from trees in our area! I do a lot of small batch canning as I get fresh fruit and vegetables from friends as well as my trees. I would love the FreshTech!
I’m old school… stove top it is!
I like to make my preserves in my small size crock pot; i think the Ball Brand FreshTECH Jam and Jelly Maker looks FANTASTIC! I would love to have one in my home.
Thank you,
~Gloria
Would LOVE to have something like this. I am always making jams and jellies for my husband’s 95 year old Aunt. She is always asking me to make one kind or another! This would be perfect to make them in! 🙂
Stovetop for me!
stovetop!
I’m still relatively new to canning. I’ve made preserves exactly 3 times and they were all stovetop. (and delicious.)
I have always just done stove top
On the stove.
I just started cooking preserves and so far I have only cooked them on the stove.
Other than freezer jam, I’ve only made apple butter, and I use my crockpot to cook it down.
I am embarassed to say that I have not yet made jam at home. I want to try, which is why I read your blog, and if I owned a device like this I would have great fun with it inventing new recipes!
stove top with whatever pot fit for the job that I can muster!
Because I have extremely limited vision (legally blind), I have been reluctant to try making any kind of preserves. Having something that makes the process automatic would be so incredible! I would love to give it a try, and if I can use it successfully, I would consider adding a class teaching others to my food preservation class at at my local blind center. (Yes, blind people cook!) Special appliances are a vision-handicapped person’s best friends in the kitchen and I would absolutely love to have a FreshTECH to increase my preserving skills! (I am an avid canning and dehydration fan.) Thank you for the opportunity!
Barbara, I’m so sorry but this giveaway closed some time ago. And unfortunately, I’m not sure that this device is even available at this time.