Canning is a tradition that now spans five generations, so the art is well entrenched within our society. Consequently, much of the equipment needed is available locally. Walmart, Kmart, and most local hardware stores like Ace cater to the home canner and all things related. Water-bath systems, pots, jars, and most other canning supplies can be found locally at places like these. As a minimum, many regional grocery stores carry jars, pectin, and citric acid. Metropolitan dwellers may have more difficulty, but a weekend drive to a more rural setting will be good for the soul, and one will probably find what he seeks.
Many upscale kitchen stores carry a variety of canning-friendly products like quality pots, measuring items, stirring utensils, and scales. These are nice to own, and I admit I have a few, but the less expensive can work equally well. Follow the guidelines in chapter one. It’s inexpensive but sound starting guidance. Most importantly, shop and purchase locally whenever possible; it’s your community, help keep your businesses strong and your neighbors employed. Also, shipping is very expensive, and many companies consider their shipping department a major profit center. Bottom line, you end up being charged much more than their cost of packaging and freight. This mentality has become so obnoxious that when it is outlandishly obvious to me, I refuse to do business with such companies.
Ace Hardware, Kmart, Walmart
All American Canner
1-800-251-8824
Canning Pantry
1-800-285-9044
Canning Supply Co.
1-888-612-1950
Kitchen Krafts
1-800-298-5389
Local grocery store, hardware stores, Walmart, bulk discounters like Big Lots; or order from above and pay big shipping fees
Berlin Container
1-800-2-Berlin
1-800-223-7546
Freund Container & Supply
1-877-637-3863
SKS Bottle & Packaging
1-518-880-6980
Micro Essential Laboratory Hydrion
1-718-338-3618
The Science Company
1-800-372-6726
A1 Spice World
1-516-801-2132
The Great American Spice Co.
1-877-6SPICE
9 1-877-677-4239
Vanns Spices
1-800-583-1693