How long is it good for?

tazmom · 09-23-2009, 11:44 AM

I'm new to canning and just did a big batch of applesauce. If I store it on the shelf, how long is it good for?

DoulaClara · 09-23-2009, 11:47 AM

If you pressure canned it, I believe it is technically safe for approximately two years, but I would go ahead and try to finish it within a year (sometimes applesauce that is canned gets a little funny-looking, unless you keep it in the dark.) I know the safety recs go back and forth over time, but I like to just stick to a good year as a "rule of thumb."

tazmom · 09-23-2009, 11:48 AM

I did it the boiling water way. Does that make a difference?

Barefoot Bookworm · 09-23-2009, 11:54 AM

I'd think at least a year, if not two.

DoulaClara · 09-23-2009, 11:57 AM

Yes. How did you do it- did you follow guidelines from somewhere? Generally speaking, acidic things are fine in a hot water bath canning method, but the thicker/ less acidic something is, the more chances it has for not quite canning properly. As long as the applesauce was very hot when the jars were filled, and as long as they were boiled for a proper amount of time, they'll probably be okay, but I might try to finish them off in the next 6-12 months for sure. Was it plain, or was sugar added? As long as they seal, and as long as you can see that it looks okay, it'll be fine to use until next summer, I think.

If you get a chance, and plan on doing more canning, I highly recommend a pressure canner! They're easier than ever to use- I used to be so nervous that I'd blow our house up, but the new ones are practically fool-proof.

tazmom · 09-23-2009, 12:12 PM

We followed the instructions from MIL's Ball Blue Book. Every can has sealed, I heard the pop and the lid is down. Some are plain and some have sugar & spices.

I didn't even know what a pressure canner was until yesterday. I know some things have to be done that way, but can everything be pressure canned. I'd like to start doing fruits, jellies, and sauces.

DoulaClara · 09-23-2009, 12:26 PM

I'm fairly sure everything can be pressure canned- pressure canners are a really efficient and safe way to can everything, no matter how thick or non-acidic.

I've hot-water canned jellies before, but when it comes to actual fruit, I'd probably pressure can things like peaches or apples or whatever. I know that there are directions and methods for hot-water canning them, but (and this is only my opinion!) the length of time that it takes to do it properly can sometimes make the fruit mushy and sort of overdone.

09-23-2009, 11:44 AM	#1
tazmom Rose Garden Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,740	How long is it good for? I'm new to canning and just did a big batch of applesauce. If I store it on the shelf, how long is it good for? __________________ Michelle Bearer of the Sceptre of Sympathetic Strength Wife to the car guy for 21 years Mom to my kids T - Fifteen A - Thirteen Z - Ten

09-23-2009, 11:47 AM	#2
DoulaClara Rose Garden Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: where the street has no name Posts: 17,002	Re: How long is it good for? If you pressure canned it, I believe it is technically safe for approximately two years, but I would go ahead and try to finish it within a year (sometimes applesauce that is canned gets a little funny-looking, unless you keep it in the dark.) I know the safety recs go back and forth over time, but I like to just stick to a good year as a "rule of thumb." __________________ "As long as I learn I will make mistakes..." ~Beastie Boys

09-23-2009, 11:48 AM	#3
tazmom Rose Garden Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,740	Re: How long is it good for? I did it the boiling water way. Does that make a difference? __________________ Michelle Bearer of the Sceptre of Sympathetic Strength Wife to the car guy for 21 years Mom to my kids T - Fifteen A - Thirteen Z - Ten

09-23-2009, 11:54 AM	#4
Barefoot Bookworm Rose Garden Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 14,288	Re: How long is it good for? I'd think at least a year, if not two. __________________ Happily married to DH. Mama to: Ladybug (13), Lamb (12), Miss Mousie (11), Billy Goat (9), Wren and Hedgehog (5)!

09-23-2009, 11:57 AM	#5
DoulaClara Rose Garden Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: where the street has no name Posts: 17,002	Re: How long is it good for? Yes. How did you do it- did you follow guidelines from somewhere? Generally speaking, acidic things are fine in a hot water bath canning method, but the thicker/ less acidic something is, the more chances it has for not quite canning properly. As long as the applesauce was very hot when the jars were filled, and as long as they were boiled for a proper amount of time, they'll probably be okay, but I might try to finish them off in the next 6-12 months for sure. Was it plain, or was sugar added? As long as they seal, and as long as you can see that it looks okay, it'll be fine to use until next summer, I think. If you get a chance, and plan on doing more canning, I highly recommend a pressure canner! They're easier than ever to use- I used to be so nervous that I'd blow our house up, but the new ones are practically fool-proof. __________________ "As long as I learn I will make mistakes..." ~Beastie Boys

09-23-2009, 12:12 PM	#6
tazmom Rose Garden Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,740	Re: How long is it good for? We followed the instructions from MIL's Ball Blue Book. Every can has sealed, I heard the pop and the lid is down. Some are plain and some have sugar & spices. I didn't even know what a pressure canner was until yesterday. I know some things have to be done that way, but can everything be pressure canned. I'd like to start doing fruits, jellies, and sauces. __________________ Michelle Bearer of the Sceptre of Sympathetic Strength Wife to the car guy for 21 years Mom to my kids T - Fifteen A - Thirteen Z - Ten

09-23-2009, 12:26 PM	#7
DoulaClara Rose Garden Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: where the street has no name Posts: 17,002	Re: How long is it good for? I'm fairly sure everything can be pressure canned- pressure canners are a really efficient and safe way to can everything, no matter how thick or non-acidic. I've hot-water canned jellies before, but when it comes to actual fruit, I'd probably pressure can things like peaches or apples or whatever. I know that there are directions and methods for hot-water canning them, but (and this is only my opinion!) the length of time that it takes to do it properly can sometimes make the fruit mushy and sort of overdone. __________________ "As long as I learn I will make mistakes..." ~Beastie Boys

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

X vBulletin 3.8.3 Debug Information
Page Generation 0.06926 seconds Memory Usage 7,712KB Queries Executed 16 (?)
More Information
Template Usage: (1)SHOWTHREAD (1)ad_footer_end (1)ad_footer_start (1)ad_header_end (1)ad_header_logo (1)ad_navbar_below (1)ad_showthread_beforeqr (1)ad_showthread_firstpost (1)ad_showthread_firstpost_sig (1)ad_showthread_firstpost_start (1)cyb_flashimagebanners (1)footer (1)forumjump (1)forumrules (1)gobutton (1)header (1)headinclude (1)navbar (4)navbar_link (60)option (7)post_groan_box (1)post_groan_javascript (1)post_groan_navbar_search (7)post_thanks_box (1)post_thanks_javascript (1)post_thanks_navbar_search (7)postbit_legacy (7)postbit_onlinestatus (77)postbit_reputation (7)postbit_wrapper (4)showthread_bookmarksite (1)smqre_editor_button (1)spacer_close (1)spacer_open (1)tagbit_wrapper Phrase Groups Available: global inlinemod postbit posting reputationlevel showthread	Included Files: ./showthread.php ./global.php ./includes/init.php ./includes/class_core.php ./includes/config.php ./includes/functions.php ./includes/class_hook.php ./includes/functions_notice.php ./mobiquo/smartbanner.php ./mobiquo/include/classTTConnection.php ./mobiquo/smartbanner/head.inc.php ./includes/functions_bigthree.php ./includes/class_postbit.php ./includes/class_bbcode.php ./includes/functions_reputation.php ./includes/adminfunctions_template.php ./includes/functions_misc.php ./includes/functions_post_thanks.php ./includes/functions_post_groan.php Hooks Called: init_startup cache_permissions fetch_postinfo_query fetch_postinfo fetch_threadinfo_query fetch_threadinfo fetch_foruminfo style_fetch cache_templates global_start parse_templates fetch_musername notices_check_start global_setup_complete showthread_start template_groups template_safe_functions template_compile showthread_getinfo forumjump showthread_post_start showthread_query_postids showthread_query bbcode_fetch_tags bbcode_create showthread_postbit_create postbit_factory postbit_display_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_end post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_start post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_end post_thanks_function_thanked_already_start post_thanks_function_thanked_already_end post_groan_function_post_groan_off_start post_groan_function_post_groan_off_end post_groan_function_fetch_groans_start post_groan_function_fetch_groans_end post_groan_function_groaned_already_start post_groan_function_groaned_already_end reputation_image bbcode_parse_start postbit_imicons bbcode_parse_complete_precache bbcode_parse_complete postbit_display_complete error_fetch tag_fetchbit_complete forumrules showthread_bookmarkbit navbits navbits_complete showthread_complete
Messages: