How to use a Mirro Pressure Canner – Instructions for Pressure Canning
May 11, 2011 by admin
Filed under Canning and Preserving, Know Your Kitchen Tools, Products
Image by boboroshi via Flickr
Using a pressure canner does not need to be intimidating, but, when working with a pressure canner, it is important to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions completely.  These instructions are specific for the Mirro pressure cooker canner, but apply to other pressure canners with similar pressure regulators.
Fill the Mirro Pressure Cooker Canner
Place the jar rack in the bottom of the canner and add 2 to 3 inches of hot water to the Mirro pressure canner. Place the jars in the rack to protect them during cooking. The number of jars to process at a time depends on the size of the jars and the pressure cooker canner. Do not crowd the pressure canner; allow room between the jars. Check that the lid gasket is properly seated and fasten the lid on the canner.
Heat the Pressure Canner
Heat the Mirro pressure canner over high heat until steam flows from the vent. Allow the steam to flow from the canner for 10 minutes to exhaust the air from the canner.
Time the Process
Place the weight on the pressure cooker canner or close the petcock and bring the canner up to pressure. Pressure is reached when the weight rocks at a rate of approximately two to three times per minute. Maintain the pressure while timing the canning process according to instructions in the recipe. If the pressure drops, bring the canner back up to pressure and begin timing again from the beginning. The canner must stay at the required pressure for the entire time required. Canning time varies with different fruits and vegetables, use the time in the recipe, or check current recommendations for pressure canning times.
Cool the Canner
When the canning time is completed, remove the pressure canner from the heat and allow the canner to de-pressurize naturally. Do not try to rush the cooling process by placing the canner under running water. Bringing the pressure down too quickly may break the jars inside.
When the hissing stops, remove the weight from the lid. Allow the Mirro pressure canner to cool for another two to five minutes or until the lid lock disengages. Open the lid and remove the jars from the pressure canner. Place the hot jars on a towel or rack to cool. The seals will pop as the jars cool. Check the jar seals. Refrigerate any jar that does not seal when cooled and use immediately.
Clean the Mirro Pressure Canner
Wash all parts of the canner in hot, soapy water. Dry the canner and inspect the seals before re-assembling the canner for storage.
The Advantages of Using Cast Iron Griddles
- Image via Wikipedia
By Zach Carson
The Many Uses of Cast Iron:
Cast iron griddles are a great addition for someone who has just gotten their own place or they cannot afford to have the gas on just yet. You may be moving to your first apartment or going off to college. If you need some kitchen supplies to really get you going until you’re all set up then you’ll definitely want to consider cast iron cookware.
If your current collection of pots and pans are getting worn out you know how exasperated you get with them. They make too much noise when you use them, or they just make too much of a mess to make them worth your time. The high quality of cast iron griddles gives you an excellent option to todays other tinny and lightweight cooking utensils.
Food tastes better:
Have you ever noticed that your food doesn’t always taste the way you want it to when you use regular pots and pans? You’ll be surprised at how much better your food will taste when you use these griddles. It will be very good and crisp; you won’t taste anything that shouldn’t be there.
To get the best flavor from your griddle it should be seasoned as recommended by the manufacturer before your first use. This is not a benefit you enjoy when you use regular pots and pans. The main reason being depending on their quality the flavor can be absorbed long before you place the food on it to be cooked.
Using this cookware may be good for you if you suffer from low iron levels:
This benefit may not appeal to everyone, but if you use cast iron griddles you can make up for iron deficiency. When you cook with old fashioned iron cookware you gain trace amounts of iron that comes from the pan. This is particularly beneficial to anyone who worries about having enough iron intake. You just need to be sure that you don’t have a condition where you suffer from too much iron otherwise it may cause you unwanted problems.
I’m still having a hard time understanding the benefits; could you give me one more to push me over the edge?
A well seasoned and cared for griddle acts just like modern no stick cookware and you’ll be amazed at how well it works without any exotic coatings. A lot of these pots and pans contain material like Teflon and various other non stick materials that can be harmful if not monitored the right way.
It is nearly impossible to scratch or damage cast iron cookware and you’ll realize this when you compare it to your current collection of pots and pans. Or the ones that have eroded over time, you can be sure that this material was consumed and it came off in your food. You won’t have to worry about this when you use cast iron. So put away the old pots and pans and try cast iron griddles out for yourself.
For more information about cast iron griddles and other regular and enameled cast iron cookware feel free to stop by our site.
Choosing a Knife
February 18, 2010 by admin
Filed under Products, Uncategorized, Video
High Carbon Knife
In this video Chef Todd Mohr teaches you how to choose a knife, including which metal compositions are best. He then continues to explain how to sharpen and steel the knife. View Knives on Amazon
Fagor Pressure Cookers
The best thing about pressure cooking, besides cutting the cooking time by up to 70%, is that it preserves vitamins and minerals during cooking. Pressure cooking is effectively cooking with steam, preserving the vitamins and minerals in the food.
The pressure cookers came with a recipe book with tips, and I get a lot of pressure cooker recipes on the internet.
I think you will be pleased with these cookers. Fagor has done a good job of producing a quality pressure cooker with all the needed safety features for a very reasonable price. Fagor Pressure Cookers
