Thinking about giving home canning a try—but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place.
If the idea of jars, boiling water, pressure canners, and safety rules feels like a lot… take a breath. You don’t need to learn everything at once. You just need to know what to read first and what actually matters.
This page will walk you through canning one step at a time—without overwhelm.
New to canning? Start here first (really)
If you only click one link on this page, make it this one.
It explains how canning works, what equipment actually matters, and which shortcuts are safe—and which ones aren’t.
➡️ Canning for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know to Start Preserving at Home
Once you’ve read that, this next one will save you from a lot of “I wish I’d known that sooner” moments:
20 Canning Tips for Beginners (That You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner!)
Next: choose your canning method
This is where many beginners get stuck—but it’s simpler than it sounds.
There are two main types of canning. The one you need depends on what you’re preserving—not how experienced you are.
Start here if you want a clear, beginner-friendly walkthrough:
Water Bath Canning for Beginners: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
If you want to can low-acid foods like vegetables, soups, or meats, this is the one to read:
Pressure Canning for Beginners: A Safe & Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Not sure which applies to you? This comparison clears it up fast:
Pressure Canner vs Water Bath Canner: What’s the Difference and Which One Do You Need?
And before you try any “shortcuts” you’ve seen online—read this first:
Oven Canning – Why This Is One Trend You Should AVOID!
What you actually need to get started
You don’t need a wall of gadgets or a perfectly stocked pantry. Most beginners need far less than they think.
This checklist breaks it down so you can start confidently (without overbuying):
Canning Supplies Checklist for Beginners: What You Really Need to Get Started
Let’s talk about safety (without the scare tactics)
Safe canning isn’t about perfection—it’s about understanding a few non-negotiables.
These guides will help you avoid the most common beginner mistakes before they happen:
Common Canning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Wondering if you can can rice, milk, pasta, or other pantry staples? This one matters more than you think:
Can I Can That? A Beginner’s Guide to What Can’t Be Canned at Home
If you’re using a pressure canner (or planning to), this keeps it working safely for years:
How to Care for Your Pressure Canner
Once it’s canned… now what?
Canning doesn’t end when the jars cool. How you store them affects shelf life, safety, and food quality.
This guide walks through the basics clearly and simply:
How to Store Home Canned Food – Shelf Life, Temperature & Labeling Tips
Need a little local help?
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Your local extension office is one of the most underused (and incredibly helpful) resources for home canners.
If you’ve never used one before, start here:
What Is a Local Extension Office? – And How It Can Help You With Canning and More
A gentle reminder before you keep going
You don’t need to can everything.
You don’t need to do it perfectly.
And you definitely don’t need to learn it all this week.
Most people start with one recipe and build confidence from there. That’s how generations before us learned—and it still works.
Bookmark this page and come back whenever you need a nudge in the right direction.
Want to keep learning?
If you’re curious to go deeper—or just want to understand the why behind safe canning—these are great next reads:
The 1924 Family Dinner That Changed Home Canning Forever
A powerful reminder of why modern, tested canning methods matter—and how far home canning safety has come.
What to Do with a Truckload of Peppers (When You Can’t Freeze Them)
Smart, practical ways to preserve peppers using safe canning, dehydrating, and pantry-friendly methods.
17 Honest Reasons People Still Can (Besides Saving Money)
Why people still fill jars in a modern world—and why it’s about more than food.
Is Home Canning Really Cheaper Than Buying Store-Bought?
A realistic look at costs, savings, and when canning truly pays off.