Food Preservation: Most Useful Tools 2024

[@marshadonaldson8645]

I have ALMOST everything that you've talked about in one brand or another. Several things.I purchased after seeing you recommend them: the steam canner, 26-qt Dutch oven, 2 sets of knives, the fermented hot sauce cookbook (just ordered), and as of yesterday...a HARVEST RIGHT FREEZE DRYER!!! If my husband were alive, he'd probably ban me from watching you, Carter! I live alone but have 2 big refrigerators with freezers, a very large upright freezer, and a small chest freezer...all overflowing. And about 300 jars of food that I've canned, then another cabinet of dehydrated food. But I am super excited about using the freeze dryer so I can free up space in my freezers. I just picked 6 gallons or more of peppers and have 5 trays of pepper slices ready to freeze dry. My backyard is probably smaller than yours, but dumb me planted 50 pepper plants (14 varieties), and I'm not even a big pepper fan. But my SIL and grandson love hot sauce, and I make lots of Christmas gifts with them. You're my favorite person on KZbin! We both eat healthy Keto, and live in the South! I was still picking tomatoes last week!

[@growandpreserve]

Love this whole story, Marsha! Congrats on the freeze dryer! I think you are going to love it. I just put in another full load of herbs from the garden, and I have the last round of peppers pre-freezing now. 50 pepper plants! You are a girl after my own heart! So glad to have you here!

[@JenHomesteadingRN]

Congratulations on the Freeze Dryer...I'm ordering one on Monday. I can't wait!!!!!!!

[@vickiwestlund7777]

Love your post!

[@sharonpadget-i4n]

Really love your videos, I have a lot of the things you presented in your video. I purchased a freeze dryer about a year ago, what I would like to see is some freeze drying videos. I noticed you have freeze dried cubed potatoes. Maybe sometime you could do a video on preparing them. I also have canned several of your recipes that my husband and I have enjoyed. Keep up Carter I like all the information.

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Sharon! I will plan some freeze drying videos for 2025. I'm having a really good time with it!

[@pathanada4957]

You can use the big stock pot as a steam canner by making the spacers hold the jars above the couple inches of water,

[@michj7185]

Thank you Carter for a wonderful informative video! I am going to finally get rid of my old rusty enamel canning pots and invest in a steam canner. Also I have been using Pomona’s pectin for years and just love it. I may have to grab the cookbook. I am also a December baby… cheers from northern NY! Michele

[@growandpreserve]

Happy early birthday, Michele! You will love the steam canner and the pomona's cookbook!

[@pwdohio123]

You can water bath can in your Presto Precise and they have just come out with a new taller version. I steam bath in my Presto Precise using the WB setting and just elevating above the same amount of water I use for pressure canning….up to the line inside the pot.

[@ammiedoering4205]

Thank you for sharing your favorite tools as I’m asking for a good saver and I want a good one! I love that you promoted local small businesses. I will get gifts for my children

[@growandpreserve]

You can't go wrong with this vacuum sealer, Ammie! Your children will be very happy with their gifts. All of these women were really terrific.

[@tracyparks5630]

What a great video! Thank you for sharing! I've already ordered products from the three vendors from the market! Love watching your videos!

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Tracy! And thank you for supporting these wonderful small businesses!

[@jacquibiggart1578]

I have the nesco pressure canner. It’s awesome, sometimes it’s a pain if I’m making a big batch of broth (takes time between rounds of canning). But I have a small kitchen and having a canner that’s easy to store was more important. I also have a glass top stove so I’m hesitant to use a big stove top one. Win win for my household

[@growandpreserve]

Perfect solution.

[@laurettespann3951]

I absolutely love my breville paradice food processor! I peeledcand diced 10 lbs of potatoes in in 20 minutes. It has made life so much easier

[@growandpreserve]

Totally agree! So glad you love it!

[@frankstrausbaugh9832]

Thanks, Carter. Thanksgiving greetings to you and David!

[@growandpreserve]

Thank you so much, Frank. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!

[@auntiepam5649]

Carter this was a great video! I will use it to purchase Christmas gifts for my 3 best friends(true 3 totally unique gifted friends, I am blessed) canning, fermenting dehydrating ladies all in our 60’s all preserving and gardening. Thank You

[@growandpreserve]

Pam, you are blessed indeed!

[@loricook7670]

Awesome video, so many great ideas. I felt like I went shopping with you and had so much fun!! Thank you, Carter. Have a very happy Thanksgiving with your family.

[@growandpreserve]

Wouldn't that be a fun shopping trip! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Lori!

[@ArkansasSquaw]

Carter, what an excellent and well put together video! I cannot express how helpful this video is, and in fact, I'm forwarding it to both my children and husband so that they KNOW without a doubt things I may neednor want for Christmas! You are amazing, Carter. Thanks so much!!!❤

[@growandpreserve]

ArkansasSquaw, it's always so good to see you! I hope your kids and husband come through for you and set you up for the best preserving season yet next year!

[@ArkansasSquaw]

@growandpreserve amen to that! 🤣 You as well Carter.

[@AngelaM-y4e]

Hello, that was so very helpful! I am just embarking on my food preservation walk and bought a vacuum sealer, the same brand as yourself and i love it! I do have some other things that i will be looking at for my continuing journey of preserving and this makes what i would like so much easier! Thank you, for all the work you do to make my preservation journey so much easier and less stressful! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

[@growandpreserve]

What an exciting time in your preservation journey, Angela! I'm so glad to be part of it!

[@zathras2010]

Carter can you please do an updated video on the indoor lettuce? I saw the one with managing it but I don’t think you showed the start to finish on that project. I’ve been wanting to try this ever since watching thwy video!! I would love an update on that and more details please 😊

[@growandpreserve]

Your timing is crazy! I just filmed an update yesterday. Unfortunately, it won't be exactly what you're looking for, but you'll see why next Saturday!

[@lorilongwell5451]

I think that was a bit of work for you to put that together and I really enjoyed it. Thank you very much carter

[@growandpreserve]

My pleasure, Lori!

[@Lalec122]

Hi Carter... happy Thanksgiving, fabulous video 💜

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Annie! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

[@Scrappenguin]

Thank you so much for this video! I have been looking for a new vacuum sealer. Going to try your recommendation out!

[@growandpreserve]

You are going to love me for that one! :-)

[@sandrarussell2549]

Try blowing a table fan in your direction when peeling onions , it helps.

[@growandpreserve]

I've heard that's a good one! I will try it off camera. Hard to do when the camera (and microphone) are rolling.

[@CherylHamburger]

Great Helpful video. Thank you!

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Cheryl! Good to see you.

[@donnamullins2089]

Thank you Carter. Enjoyed seeing all your canning and preserving equipment. Thanks for the Market trip. Interesting ideas for Christmas. Wishing you and your family a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving. See you after Turkey day.

[@growandpreserve]

Thank you, Donna! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

[@melissahill1443]

My favorite canner too!

[@growandpreserve]

Good!

[@trevor5290]

I remember my grandma giving me the old food mill and making me crank it. It was great and I was just thinking about it the other day - I realized my mom threw it out because it was aluminum. Kind of looked like yours and yes, the process tomato sauce quite well if you want the skins & seeds gone. My friends surprised me this past summer for my 60th and gave me a Cosori dehydrator. That machine was well used this past fall. Highly recommend it plus it's super quiet. Great finds for the Christmas stockings. Time for me to get going on my candles and soaps - seems I'm behind schedule on that yikes. Merry Christmas Carter, from Marianne way up in Ontario Canada.

[@growandpreserve]

Hey, Marianne! I've heard very good things about the Cosori dehydrator. So glad you've had such a good experience with it. What a great gift from your friends! Candle and soap making are on my list for things to learn in 2025. Sounds like you'll be able to give me some pointers.

[@Laura-ni1qq]

Fantastic video! Thank you for sharing your favorite items. I am going to be putting some of the items on my wishlist!

[@growandpreserve]

Glad it was helpful!

[@billierichter1379]

I have that same hand-held vac sealer, and I absolutely love it!

[@growandpreserve]

Right?? I don't know why so many others don't work as well.

[@sushicourier]

​@growandpreserve I went through 4 and each was junk! Finally I found this same one.

[@AngelaM-y4e]

P.S. Will keep coming back to this video when i am getting ready to buy more equipment! Thanks again!

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Angela!

[@bhavens9149]

So agree on the presto canner, I just found out they have a bigger one now and i"m seriously thinking about saving up for it!

[@growandpreserve]

It's amazing, isn't it. Regarding the bigger one, are you talking about the one that is taller for water bathing quart jars? Or is there a new one that holds more pints and quarts??

[@bhavens9149]

@@growandpreserve When i bought my Pressure canner, they ONLY had the 12 quart one, they've added a 17 Quart digital pressure canner. amazon is out but they have it at Kohls $309, even with a small family when I'm doing bigger batches I really wish I had a bigger canner! I can even see using two for big days!

[@growandpreserve]

@@bhavens9149 I just saw that it can double stack wide mouth pints! David walked in my office when I was looking at it. You should have seen the eye roll!

[@juliadreamweaver9360]

Great video Carter! I absolutely love my electric pressure canner as well. It’s so ez to use. I recently bought food strainer attachment for my kitchen aid and am loving it so far. My son & I made applesauce and it removed the peel & seeds easily and left a nice smooth sauce. Can’t wait to try it on tomatoes next year. Love ur channel & happy thanksgiving!

[@growandpreserve]

Thanks, Julia! Love the tip about the strainer attachment for the KA.

[@vickiwestlund7777]

Carter, I own most of what you presented today- thank you so Much!- Except the steam canner , which is now on my Christmas list! My husband watched that segment with me! I bought a few boxes of the Pomona’s pectin boxes- as well as the cookbook- but I’m a tad confused as to the use.. is there a website that might lend more insight? You’re such a blessing!

[@growandpreserve]

Yay, Vicki! Tell me more about the confusion with Pomona's pectin. I'm not sure I'm following. You are welcome to email if you'd rather. [e-mail]

[@vickiwestlund7777]

@ I will do that, thank you!

[@jade-d314]

How helpful and informative Carter. Thanks so much. And thanks for all the links!

[@growandpreserve]

My pleasure, Jade!

[@melodiewager7909]

Carter, as always a wonderful episode! It’s clear you put so much thought into your recommendations, which I truly appreciate. Thanks so much for your great work. Have a great week. ❤️

[@growandpreserve]

Thank you, Melodie! Always so good to see you. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@sharlenechapman6718]

Thankyou for your valuable information

[@growandpreserve]

My pleasure, Sharlene!

[@kitbaker1629]

Steam canner looks identical to the baby bottle sterilizer in the instructions for making homemade baby formula saved in our family papers! LOL Everything old is new again? 😉

[@growandpreserve]

Ha! I used it the other day to steam some "hard boiled" eggs.

[@tammynevil7852]

I bought some wallaby bags this year to take things to people

[@growandpreserve]

Perfect!

[@daniellewoodward4728]

I have 😢a lot of these items and love them. I too have my birthday in December and the kids have been bugging me for ideas. I love my vitamix the best blender ever. I will have to look and see if my food processor has a dicing kit that would be great.

[@growandpreserve]

Happy early birthday, Dani! Hope you can find a dicing kit for your food processor. You will love it!

[@barb2steve]

Hi Carter , we love your videos. I also have the 12qt presto electric canner but have you seen the new 17qt ? I'm thinking about getting that one for myself as I too have a Dec birthday coming up, I just feel more comfortable about using the electric canner.

[@growandpreserve]

Happy early birthday, Barb! I had seen the new taller canner, but I've just now realized it looks like it will double stack wide mouth pints! Wow!

[@larhondasmith2471]

Where do you get your spice jars?

[@growandpreserve]

Here you go, Rhonda. I love them! amzn.to/3CILY1P

[@monapargee4678]

Hi Carter, Great video! Where do you buy your spice jars? Are they about 17oz? Thanks very much💜

[@growandpreserve]

Hey, Mona! Good to see you. I love my spice jars. They are 16oz, from Amazon: amzn.to/493q3hS

[@xglsc6465]

Carter i am very interested in allouse?? Im guessing that not all brands are created equal soooo what brand do you use?

[@growandpreserve]

There is indeed a difference in the brands I have tried. This one is my favorite: amzn.to/412gIoO According to Amazon, I have ordered it 16 times! This one is extremely fine (in terms of the "grain" of allulose), so it dissolves in anything very readily.

[@xglsc6465]

Carter have you tried any from Azure? ​@growandpreserve

[@vickiegroome3220]

Hey Carter. How much sugar is in your kombucha?

[@growandpreserve]

I add 3/4 cup of sugar to make the sweet tea. Although I don't have a lab analysis, I don't think there's any left at the end.

[@JenHomesteadingRN]

Oh man...I've wanted that Presto Electric Canner forever!! This is the best price I've seen. But I am ordering a Freeze Dryer on Monday...what to do what to do???

[@growandpreserve]

Quite the dilemma! Best price I've seen on both of those. Let me know what you decide to do!

[@JenHomesteadingRN]

@@growandpreserve Well, I am maxed out on vacation time so I'm cashing some out. I just decided...what the heck...I'm gonna cash out a few more and get both!!!! I feel like they will pay for themselves with all the money saved by using them. Just having meals in jars saves a fortune on takeout...and tastes so much better too!! I never get stocking stuffers either. LOL

[@growandpreserve]

@@JenHomesteadingRN I am certain you will love both, Jennifer! What is it with mom's stocking always getting forgotten?!

[@JenHomesteadingRN]

@@growandpreserve When you wait until Christmas Eve to shop, you don't have time to get stocking stuffers. My guy waits until the last minute but gives me thoughtful gives so I don't complain! LOL

[@cindyparker9920]

You made me laugh when you said you bought your own stocking stuffer. I do the same thing or mine will be empty. 😂

[@growandpreserve]

What's up with that?!?

[@victorialg1270]

Forjars is having a black Friday sale. And 10% discount still applies!

[@carolstrider5476]

I love their funnels

[@growandpreserve]

Thank you for mentioning that, Victoria! Yes, "CARTER10" still works on top of the sale!

[@hulda2002]

Capricorn all the way :D

[@growandpreserve]

I'm on the Sagittarius end ;-) Happy early birthday, Hulda!

[@hulda2002]

@@growandpreserve ah either way, december is the month, happy birthday to you too 🎈

[@kenf8378]

Chop onions under your stove fan/hood to stop crying!

[@kitbaker1629]

Be sure to store mylar bags in rodent proof containers.