Home Canners- Need advice

Snik · ‎10-28-2014

I have been doing a lot of canning lately, and have noticed something- I have very hard water here, and use the old black with white speckles canning pot with a rack..When I am removing my jars, I am noticing a white mineral coating on the jars which is hard to remove, even with Windex (and I feel weird rubbing my jars with Windex)-

It is not so bad when only orocessing 5 minute, but when going 10 or more, it is very pronounced- When I drain the water I can see the white residue on the bottom of the pot s well..

My question is this: Could I ADD something to the processing water..vinegar, salt? to cut back the mineral deposits, or would that eat away at my lids?

Anyone else have this problem?

I hate giving away these unsightly, cloudy looking, and rough feeling, jars...

Thanks for any advice

Agent K · ‎09-12-2011

Sounds like you have VERY hard water. Installing a water softener or canning in distilled water would be expensive. Why not look up the Homesteading Today forum (not on Q, it's just a web forum) and ask the canning experts there about the vinegar?

KYToby · ‎02-19-2012

I cam occasionally -- usually in a pressure cooker. I know a number of people add a splash of white vinegar you the water to prevent mineral build up.

jaxs mom · ‎04-18-2012

You can add vinegar, but I've only heard that recommended for pressure canning not BWB. I have the same problem because I have really hard water. I just wipe it off the jars.

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ahoymate · ‎05-30-2010

Why not call the Ball company who makes all the canning jars, pots, and canning utensils? Surely, they can answer this ? 4 U. Google is your friend

Scooby Doo · ‎03-14-2010

It could be a combination of both hard water and your old canning pot breaking down. I would buy a new pot. Then you can add about a cup of white vinegar to the boiling water. You can soak your empty bottles in a sink of hot water and vinegar before you use them.

Snik · ‎10-28-2014

Great advice.. Thanks!

Meeras · ‎02-06-2014

add vinegar for this

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

If it bothers you that much, buy spring or distilled water to use in the canner.

Snik · ‎10-28-2014

On 10/30/2014 RedTop said: If it bothers you that much, buy spring or distilled water to use in the canner.

Obviously I thought of that.....It takes at least 3 gallons...and I woudnt want to re use it......I just want yo soften the tap water that I already pay for...I thought this might be something others had experience with,that's all...