Canning Stew-Help

[Hoosierdaddy]

This is Hoosierdaddys wife. I am use to canning in hot water bath. Today I tried canning stew in pressure canner of course. 3/4 of my liquid escapped so need your input. This is what I did when packing jars, packed meat/veggies in - then poured my liquid over. Wiped the rims dry then put on seal and ring. Now after canning, my lids are loose and 3/4 liquid in bottom of cooker. I've always taken care not to tighten rings too tight, but with pressure cooker should I have tighten more? Also, I've had one "ping" (5 minutes after on counter, but not sure if these are ok to eat)

I am also posting in preserving the harvest - but know this has alot of traffic and still need to can more today. I thank you for your help.

[highlands]

Do the jars sit on the bottom or are they on a raised platform? Ours has a platform.

How much air space did you leave above the stew in the jars? I leave about 1/2" or so.

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://HollyGraphicArt.com/
http://NoNAIS.org

[7thswan]

Sounds like the pressure got too high. I put the lids on snug, do not tighten after removing from the canner,but when cool remove just the band.Have you gage checked.

[Pouncer]

In addition to what highlands mentioned, first thing that pops to mind is: Did you take a minute or two to stir out air bubbles, before you put on lids and rings?

I find when I am not careful enough, the air left in the jar works its way out-along with some liquid too. If your jars are not sealed in a few hours, I would reprocess.

Remember: 90 minutes for just about anything containing meats, at appropriate pressure for your elevation. I do NOT use a pressure "cooker" for canning, btw. I have two, All American 921s that I only use for pressure canning.

[Hoosierdaddy]

Yes the cans were on a platform w/ 1/2" headspace, but I did NOT stir out any air bubbles. Sounds like I should refill w/liquid and reprocess???

[suitcase_sally]

See my post on the "Preserving the Harvest" forum...it's too long to re-type here.

[Hoosierdaddy]

thank you all for your informative information - got it

[Callieslamb]

Did you let the canner lose its pressure by itself, or did you take the weight off the top and open it before it had cooled down? That will cause the canner to depressurize too quickly and force the liquid out of the jars.