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If you’ve ever thought about learning how to can your own food, the first question most beginners ask is: what supplies do I actually need?
When I started learning about canning, I quickly realized there were dozens of tools mentioned online. It can feel overwhelming at first. The good news is that you only need a few basic tools to start preserving food safely at home.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential canning supplies for beginners, plus a few optional tools that make the process easier.
The good news is that you don’t need a huge investment to get started. With a few basic tools, you can begin safely preserving foods like applesauce, jams, tomatoes, and pickles right in your own kitchen.
This beginner canning supplies checklist covers the essential equipment you need for water bath canning, plus a few optional tools that make the process easier.
If you’re still learning the difference between the two main methods, you may want to read my guide here explaining Water Bath Canning vs Pressure Canning before getting started.
| Tool | Why You Need It | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Water Bath Canner | Safely processes jars in boiling water | Jams, pickles, tomatoes |
| Jar Lifter | Safely remove hot jars | All canning |
| Magnetic Lid Lifter | Pick up sterilized lids easily | Beginner canners |
| Canning Funnel | Prevent spills while filling jars | Sauces and jams |
| Ball Mason Jars | Safe jars designed for canning | All preserved foods |
| Canning Rack | Keeps jars off the pot bottom | Water bath canning |
Each of these tools plays an important role in safe home food preservation.
Water Bath Canner
A water bath canner is the main piece of equipment used for processing jars of high-acid foods.
These include:
- fruit preserves
- jams and jellies
- tomatoes
- pickles
- applesauce
The canner is essentially a large pot with a rack that keeps jars elevated while they boil. This allows hot water to circulate around the jars evenly and helps create a safe vacuum seal.
Many beginner canners start with a simple graniteware water bath canner, which includes the rack.
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Jar Lifter
A jar lifter is one of the most important safety tools for home canning.
After processing, jars are extremely hot and sitting in boiling water. A jar lifter allows you to safely grip the jar and lift it out of the canner without risking burns.
Regular kitchen tongs don’t grip jars properly, which can make the process dangerous.
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Magnetic Lid Lifter
A magnetic lid lifter is a small but incredibly helpful tool.
During canning preparation, lids are often placed in warm water to soften the sealing compound. The magnetic lid lifter allows you to remove the lids without touching the hot water.
It keeps the process cleaner and much easier.
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Canning Funnel
A wide-mouth canning funnel makes filling jars much easier and prevents messy spills.
Without a funnel, sauces and jams tend to drip down the sides of jars, which can interfere with the sealing process.
Using a funnel helps keep jar rims clean so the lids seal properly.
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Ball Mason Jars
Canning jars are specifically designed to handle the high heat required for safe food preservation.
Ball Mason jars are one of the most trusted brands used by home canners.
Common sizes include:
Half pint – perfect for jams and jellies
Pint – great for sauces and pickles
Quart – ideal for tomatoes, fruits, and vegetables
Always use jars designed for canning rather than regular glass jars. I ONLY trust Ball Mason jars, they have been trusted by home canners for generations. We use them for glasses and with cute toppers and straws for lemonade as well. I also use them for dry good storage in the kitchen– so needless to say they get a lot of wear and tear at our house.
You will know the jars are authentic Ball Mason Jars because they will say “Ball” on them or “Mason.” Also do not use cheap rims or sealer caps because those will bend, I tried some that our Amish friends used and they were fine, but, I was a nervous wreck.
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Wide Mouth Quart Mason Jars
Regular Mouth Quart Mason Jars
Wide Mouth Pint Mason Jars
Regular Mouth Pint Mason Jars
Regular Mouth Jelly Mason Jars
Canning Rack
A canning rack sits inside the water bath canner and prevents jars from sitting directly on the bottom of the pot.
This helps:
- distribute heat evenly
- prevent jars from cracking
- keep jars separated during processing
Many water bath canners include a rack, but if you’re using a large stock pot you may need to purchase one separately.
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Helpful Canning Tools That Make the Process Easier
These tools are not required but are extremely helpful once you start canning regularly.
Bubble Remover / Headspace Tool
This tool helps remove trapped air bubbles before sealing jars and ensures proper headspace measurements.
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Canning Labels
Labels help you keep track of what you canned and when it was preserved. You will want to write clearly what is in the jar, the month and year it was canned, the exact day is not necessary. The example below are cute and functional, as well as dissolvable. Labels sticking on after the canned item is gone is no fun at all to try and get off.
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Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
This book is a great tool to help you with canning simple because Ball is one of the most trusted resources for safe home canning recipes and techniques.
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Quick Beginner Canning Supplies Checklist
If you’re new to home food preservation, you may be wondering what equipment is required to start canning safely.
The good news is that beginner canners only need a few essential tools:
✔ Water bath canner
✔ Jar lifter
✔ Magnetic lid lifter
✔ Canning funnel
✔ Ball Mason jars
✔ Canning rack
With these basic supplies, you can safely preserve foods like applesauce, jams, jellies, tomatoes, and pickles.
Final Thoughts on Beginner Canning Supplies
Learning how to can food at home is one of the most rewarding skills you can develop in the kitchen. Not only does it help you preserve seasonal foods, but it also allows you to build a pantry full of homemade jams, sauces, and fruits.
The best part is that you don’t need complicated equipment to begin. With just a few essential tools, you can confidently start your home canning journey.
Once you get comfortable with the process, you can experiment with new recipes and expand your food preservation skills.
To make things easier here is the link to my Amazon storefront list for canning supplies.
Free Printable Canning Supplies Checklist
If you want an easy reference while you’re shopping or preparing your kitchen, I created a free printable canning supplies checklist you can download.
It includes:
✔ All essential water bath canning tools
✔ Optional tools that make canning easier
✔ A simple supply checklist for beginners
👉 Download the free printable checklist here
