THE FOLLOWING IS A U OF I EXTENSION RELEASE
DANVILLE, Ill — Calling all home canners! The University of Illinois Extension is offering a helping hand to ensure your favorite jams, jellies, and vegetables are preserved safely this season with free pressure canner lid testing clinics throughout May. They will be in the Vermilion County Extension Office, 3164 North Vermilion, Danville, IL 61832, on May 16 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
These open clinics are perfect for anyone who uses a pressure canner to preserve food at home. No registration is required; bring your pressure canner lid (with the dial gauge attached) to our office.
“An accurate pressure canner gauge is crucial for safe food preservation,” says Rachel Mannen, a nutrition and wellness educator with Illinois Extension. “Over time, the gauge can become inaccurate, leading to under-processed food and a potential risk of botulism.”
The testing process is quick and easy, typically taking less than 15 minutes. There’s no need to bring your entire canner unless you have a specific concern beyond the gauge.
Extension recommends having your pressure canner lid tested annually for optimal safety when canning food at home. This free service allows home canners to ensure their favorite recipes are preserved safely and enjoyed for months.
To learn more about home food preservation and pressure canning safety or about Illinois Extension, visit go.illinois.edu/CFIV or contact our Vermilion County office at 217-442-8615. To learn more about Illinois Extension’s Nutrition and Wellness program, please contact Rachel Mannen at rmannen@illinois.edu. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Rachel. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
