The Canning Set Up

I know it is 105 today in Merced. This means it must be getting close to the time that I need to get the fruit off the trees and into the glass. This morning the job (After walking the 2 mile stint) was to get the outdoor kitchen in place for canning. In the last few years the crop has not been spread out over the Summer. It seems like the apricot and the peach season and now the nectarine season are all coming together with ripening points very close to each other. This may be the result of global warming.

I gathered up the pieces of the big three burner stove and sought to get it going or at least figure out what it needed for canning. 'After cleaning it up and getting it ready to stand on its legs (it spent the winter in the gardening shed) I realized that I needed the gas to pressurize it and look for links,

Down to the local U-haul place I headed for s couple of tanks of propane. (29 dollars later for 9 gallons) I headed home. When I set up the tank to go through the stove everything looked good. I sprayed some cleaning fluid on the area around the gas connections and it looked good. When I sprayed around the area where the regulator was attached to the stove, it started blowing bubbles in the soap.Not good.

I replaced the regulator and the hose that connected it to the stove.. still bubbles although not as great. I have heard great tales about people having their propane tanks pierce their neighbors fences so discretion is the better part of valor when dealing with gas leaks in portable equipment. I needed to replace the stove.

At my local Costco the store has sold out of the stoves. They seem to have them all the time. I inquired of the manager and he noted that they had sold their last one a week ago. I asked him if he would kindly check to see if Turlock had them. Yes indeed they at 17 and Modesto had 21.

I made a quick trip to Turlock and a promised to Sue that this year I would get it under cover so that the weather wouldn't ruin it and I had a new stove for the backyard. It is really the best way to can. The mess stays outside. You don't have to pay to cool the heat you generated by canning inside, and the glassware jars don't have to take the shock. By the way, Linzi I found a canning kit that had a jar grabber, a bubble remover and a jam funnel. I bought you a kit too.

So now I am waiting for the evening to cool down and I will be ready.. At least I hope. Plum jam will be first on the list if I can gather enough plums. The tree is in a very obscure place in the yard now that the house has been expanded. I hope you find a cool place to be.

Love
Pat