[Marcella]

I just watched a demonstration film on the Ball website, and they are just using the big pot and boiling the jars with the food inside. That process is simple. Is that all there is to canning?

[JRandomFreeper]

No it is not, and improper canning can be very dangerous. You will need to slow down and do some research. Put on your chemistry and microbiology hat.

/johnny

[ApplegateRanch]

NO! There's a lot more to canning!

Those videos are good, and authoritative, but just one or two really are not enough by themselves.

That is the 'water bath method', and is only safe for fruits in syrup, jams, jellies, and certain other high-sugar or high-acid foods that don't REQUIRE pressure-canning.

Low acid foods, such as nearly all veggies, and absolutely all meats and fish require pressure canning methods.

Buy a Kerr canning manual or a Ball Blue Book for canning, freezing, and preserving; recipes, as well as detailed instructions and explanations, are in them. One (or both) are authoritative and complete basic and intermediate level must-haves.

Also, IGNORE ANY WEBSITES THAT "TEACH" HOW TO "CAN" USING THE OVEN OR NUKER: THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND DO NOT WORK! Some even claim (erroneously) that you can us the DISHWASHER! Do NOT believe it!