Around here, the growing season is just about to get off to a booming start. The threat of frost is typically gone by the beginning of May, and that’s around the same time the farmer’s markets start back up again, too. And you know what that means? It’s almost time to start canning, baby!
(Or you can dehydrate and freeze, too, but that’s another topic for another day.)
Remember the grasshoppers of the old ant and grasshopper fable? The ants worked hard all summer to store up food for the cold winter, while the grasshoppers played the day away. Guess who was hungry come the first winter storm? Yep, those lazy grasshoppers. I’m thinking those ants were on to something, so I’m gonna follow their example. After all, if I want local, nutritious produce throughout the winter months, it’s going to have to come from my pantry or freezer because around here, nothin’ but nothin’ grows mid-December to mid-March.
In the past, I’ve just kind of winged it (wung it?) come the growing season. I just picked up cans here and there, bought a few lids here and there, canned stuff as I had extras. This year, however, I’m going to be much more intentional about the whole process. I actually have a plan. (Why, yes, the earth is trembling! Whoa, people, she has a plan!)
Part of my plan is having adequate supplies on hand for canning enough jam, apple butter, and pickles to last until next year at this time. I almost made it this year, so I know I can do it. I just need a few more jars. And guess what? I’m going to get them for free. Or at least for super cheap. Here’s my simple 3-step process for procuring free jars:
1. Search on Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a search engine that randomly awards you points for searching the internet. I don’t know about you, but I probably do at least - at the very least - 10 internet searches a day. If I get points for even a quarter of those searches, it adds up! And it adds up quickly! Plus, I can do other tasks, like watch short videos, answer surveys, or lots of other options, and earn points that way, too.
2. Buy Amazon.com Gift Cards
What does Swagbucks have to do with canning jars, you ask? This: once I’ve accrued 450 Swagbucks points (and this takes a couple weeks or less), I can redeem them for a $5 gift card to Amazon.com. I bet you can guess where this is leading.
3. Buy Canning Jars on Amazon.
With just 2 Amazon gift cards, I can purchase a case of 12 Jarden half-pint jelly jars. With 3 $5 gift cards, I can get a case of 12 Ball 16oz jars (and free shipping with Prime!). A case of 12 Ball 1-qt jars will set me back 4 $5 gift cards… but imagine all the pickles I could pack into one of those babies!
So there you have it… my cheapskate plan for acquiring all the necessary canning jars at little to no cost for me! I’ve actually already bought one set of half-pint jelly jars in this way, and I have a few gift cards lined up to purchase more. If you want to try your hand at canning, too, but can’t afford to buy all the supplies new, I have a few more suggestions on how to acquire them for nothing (or next to nothing).
Ask Around!
Last year, my mother-in-law very kindly gave me a whole bunch of used jars that she didn’t need. You never know who might have a collection of jars waiting for a new home! A couple things to keep in mind:
- Only use jars designed for canning. Store-bought jars are not guaranteed to survive the pressures of canning, and it’s not safe to attempt to use them. You need actual canning jars (the most common companies are Ball, Mason, and Jarden).
- Canning jars can be re-used, but inspect them carefully for nicks, chips and cracks. Discard any jars that are disfigured in any way, as they are not safe for canning.
- Do not re-use seals (the flat part of the lid that seals to the jar). Those must always be discarded after one use. A box of new seals will only cost you one $5 Amazon.com gift card! You can use the bands (the part that screws onto the jar) over and over again, as long as they are not bent or misshapen, and as long as they are not rusted. Eventually, they will bend or rust, and then they’ll need to be retired from active canning service.
- Canning pots and canning utensils can be re-used indefinitely without any danger.
Beg, Borrow, but Don’t Steal
Get Thrifty
Do Without
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In relation to swagbucks, does it matter what search engine you use? I typically use goodsearch, because I can designate a charity and they give a penny to that charity for every search I do. I can also buy things through them for a percentage to go to the charity. If you can use any search engine, I’d be interested in checking it out. But if I have to use a specific one, I’d have to weigh the pros and cons of switching. feel free to email me an answer brandicriminger[at]yahoo[dot][com]
You have to use Swagbucks’ search engine, which is powered by a variety of other search engines. I’ve heard of goodsearch, but never used it. And you can do other things on Swagbucks besides searching, but the searches are the main way to earn points.
Get this Anne….the house we’re buying is a foreclosure, and everything conveys. When I got to the basement, it is FULL of canning jars! Pints and quart, widemouth and regular! I thought I had hit the lottery! LOL
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That’s better than the lottery! What an awesome blessing!
Blessing for her, but curse for the people who lost the house.
Thanks Anne!!! I need to start looking around and asking for canning jars! My sisters and I plan to do a TON of canning this summer!
Thanks!
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Have fun! I love canning:) Or rather, I love the effects of canning
There are reusable canning lids out there that can be used over & over. They’re called Tattler lids and they work wonderfully. If you’re not aware of them, I thought you might like to be.
I have gotten many many canning jars sitting on peoples lawns with a Free to a Good Home sign on them in the summer. You can also find them on Craigslist.
I have ordered them online as well. I cant remember the name of the website, but I goodled Canning Jars one day & found some really awesome resources.
You can also wait until the canning season is “officially over” and many stores will mark their jars down to get rid of the leftovers. Keep your eyes open.
Kim, yes, I do know about Tattler lids… I just might have a giveaway coming up;) For some reason, in the grocery stores around here, the canning supplies never go on clearance. They always just keep a supply all year round. Kinda funny if you ask me, because I don’t think canning is a popular pastime in my area, lol!
I’ve gotten two boxes of jars this winter at the thrift stores. Such an economical way to do it!
I wish I could find jars at my thrift stores
I have been canning for years with the same stock pot and a round cake rack for the bottom - works great. I bought some Tattler reusable lids over the winter and plan to try them out - heard they are great.
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Cake pan! What a brilliant hack! I may have to try that and blog about it
Estate sales and farm auctions are another great source for canning jars and supplies I have bought a many of boxes for $2 or $3 a box and got over a dozen jars some times some of the real old blue jars. Last summer I got a box of the old jars with glass lid that have the wire that comes up over the top. Use them on the counter top to keep tea and etc. in.
I love those old-fashioned jars! Yes, estate sales and the like are a great place to find such items for good prices.
Well, I have to admit if the lids are in good shape (not bent, plenty of rubber) I reuse them. I’ve never had a problem. Never lost a jar.
I’ve been canning for almost 30 years.
I was in a thrift store about a couple weeks ago. They had a couple of Ball jelly jars on the shelf… marked $1.00 each. I pulled the attendant to the side and explained to her that they didn’t cost that much new….
Haha! That’s hilarious! Sometimes the thrift stores are away overpriced on EVERYthing.
Try freecycle.org. Great place to get lots of free stuff, expecially jars.
I did have freecycle once but my husband wasn’t comfortable with going up to strange people’s houses and taking their stuff (and was even more uncomfortable with the thought of strangers taking stuff from our house!), so we canceled our subscription. Also, I always found that the good stuff was gone long before I could get to it.
But I’ve heard many other people have lots of success with it!
I too have reused lids that have plenty of rubber left with no problems but I understand the why behind the warning. The tattle lids seem to be a good investment and should save in the long run. Yard sales are also a good source of jars. Has anyone used a propane fish fryer for canning… the idea of keeping all that heat outside is appealing.
I’ve never heard of using a propane fish fryer for canning… I’ve actually never heard of a propane fish fryer, lol! But that sounds like a good possibility
We turn the patio into “canning central” We hook up the 2 burner propane Camp Chef also the turkey fryer. These work great!
Awesome!
A co=worker of mine was cleaning out the basement of her mothers; apparently she was quite the canner in her day. Since “mom” is no longer around (sad) I received about 36 asst sizes of jars. In exchange I gave my co-worker a few jars of salsa and then I still got the jars back. Also, I bought 2 cases at my local thrift store, the real bargain there was it was half price day. Cost about $8.00 and some had new rings on them!!
I’m going to disagree a bit about the lids and that they MUST be tossed. I’ve been canning for…over 30 years. The majority of those years I followed this rule. My mother-in-law reused lids and I thought that was just awful and unsafe! Guess what folks, for the last 2-3 years I have been reusing lids with great success.
Yes, you do have to give them a thorough inspection. The sealing material needs to be even all the way around and there must not be any type of debris stuck to it. The lids need to be taken off the jar by twisting a knife or handle of a spoon or fork (the long way) between the jar thread and lid. Do not take the lid off with a pry tool such as a can opener. There must be no dents or nicks in any part of the lid. It’s really hard to explain but very simple in practice. Wash the lids well, dry and store. Process with them just like new lids. I have had no more failures with these lids than fresh ones. In fact, maybe fewer because I am more watchful with them.
Seems like quite a few people re-use the lids. I’m very wary of doing so - I have a fear of botulism with home-canned goods, so I’m very particular about the process.
Do you know how many $5 amazon cards you can use at one time. There used to be a limit,but I can not find the info any more? Thank you.
I don’t *think* there is any limit on how many of the GCs you can use, but I could be wrong. There is a limit on how many you can earn in a month on Swagbucks; I think it’s 5.
Try Freecycle.org If you are not comfortable going to someone’s house then arrange public meeting place. I have also found that just striking up a conversation with people in the farmer’s market, grocery stores, etc can become a gold mine for canning things. So many people decide to start and then never stay with it.
Does anyone know of any free canning supplies I can get. I am a beginner and could use as much stuff to get me started.