Ball® Home Canning Discovery Kit (by Jarden Home Brands)

by Ball

• Introductory home canning kit eases a novice canner into it with a trail set that makes use of existing kitchenware
• Includes an illustrated, simplified instruction book with recipes
• Also includes polypropylene rack with separate, fitted lifter that works in standard stockpots and 3 Pint jars
• Efficient, low-cost way to learn canning, which could save money and broaden supplies in the long run

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 11.5 x 4 inches ; 2.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003ENB1KI
• Item model number: 1440010790
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,370 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)
  • #3 in Kitchen & Dining > Cookware > Canning > Kits

Product Description

Ball Canning Starter Kit

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

187 of 189 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The basket is great, it does not melt August 26, 2010

By Matthew Smedal

Amazon Verified Purchase

Let me say that I am not a "canner," or whatever the people who do a lot of canning refer to themselves as. I am a musician with a little down time at the end of August who has been inspired to preserve some of the fresh fruit that is floating around SoCal this time of year. This item was perfect for me: inexpensive, worked great, and no, it did NOT melt.

I was concerned after reading a few of the reviews of the product (many of which were written by people don't even own the item), so before I purchased the basket I did a little online research. The melting point of polypropylene (that's what the rack is made of) is somewhere around 320 degrees fahrenheit. Since water boils at 212 degrees fahreneit, I felt pretty safe.

And I was. No melting. Let me repeat that: no melting. Just canning.

Let me add that my stock pot is only 8 quarts and the rack touched the sides of the pot the entire time I boiled my fruit preserves (ideal "melting" conditions). No melting. Additionally, the recipe I used had me boil the jars a fairly long time -- 45 minutes -- and since the rack only holds 3 jars at a time I submerged it twice in succession (each time for 45 minutes). No melting. In fact, the rack was cool to the touch the moment it came out of the water.

Highly recommended.

164 of 166 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Beginners! September 7, 2010

By J. Buell

I find it hilarious that people reviewed this item without even trying it. Give it a shot before you knock it or use another method, but don't write a negative review on something you've never used.

Anyway, I got this kit as a gift a few weeks ago and decided to take a stab at canning last week. I decided to make some jams and this kit was a huge help. I did not use the jars that came with the kit since they were too large for what I needed but I did use the basket along with some smaller Ball Jars. I brought the water to a boil, put the jars I used in the basket (it easily held 5 smaller cans and will hold 3-4 larger jars), put them in the water, and put a lid on top. I did not closely track the temp like some of the other reviewers. I boiled for 8 minutes as per the recipe then removed the basket from the water. It was not melted AT ALL. It wasn't even soft and it looked just as it had before it went into the pot. The jams sealed perfectly and are delicious.

I have since used the basket 4 more times with absolutely no problems. I still do not track the temp, even. I was told Ball is a reliable canning company with a great reputation and I trust them to release only good products for canners. If you are just starting out in canning you will find this product to be a huge help! Happy Canning!

10/21/10 Update: I have now used the basket a dozen times. I made Salsa a couple of weeks ago that required boiling for 45 minutes. Once again, the basket came out of the pot without melting. It still looks like new and I look forward to using it many more times.

3/20/12 Update: After a year and a half of pretty constant canning, this product is still in great condition.... The color seems to have faded a bit but otherwise it still works like it did the first time I tried it. I have canned many jams, salsas, and sauces with no problems at all. I still think this is a great product and despite becoming more of an avid canner I do not feel the need to upgrade. Read more ›

84 of 86 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars great addition to my canning supplies August 16, 2010

By veteran canner

I've canned for over 35 years and the idea of not having to heat up my large canner to process a few jars of salsa sounded great. Despite the negative review, I purchased the canning discovery kit, took it home and set the rack and lifter in a stockpot of boiling water for 30 minutes. It came out exactly as I had put it in -- no melting. It would surprise me if a company that has manufactured canning equipment for as long as Ball would fail to fully test a new product.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for glass stoves September 11, 2010

By Katie Gerlach

I have a glass top stove so traditional large canning pots are not an option. I saw this and decided to give it a try. I have canned 8 batches of jam, 2 batches of tomatoes and a batch of pears. I am working my way through my garden and I have nothing but glowing reviews for this product. I have had no problems with melting and I've cooked it for 2 batches @45 minutes one after another.

I would highly recommend this product.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great product - works well! August 26, 2010

By Mom of boys!

I was surprised that a plastic item could be used for canning but it worked well and I had no problem with the canning basket. I made pickles last night and the basket came out of the water looking like it did when it went in. Since we are at a higher altitude the basket was in the water for a long time: maybe 10 minutes to come to a boil, 20 minutes at a "steady" boil, and 5 minutes with the lid off and removed from heat. I brought it to a boil on medium high heat instead of high heat as a precaution. I loved the fact that I could use it in one of my stock pots. The 6 quart was too small according to the dimensions given in the instruction book but my larger pot worked well. In fact the glass lid on my pot helped me see, for the first time canning, how low I could turn the heat to achieve a steady boil, which was about medium heat with the lid on. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. It took less than two hours from start to finish to make one batch of pickles!

I like:
It takes less time to heat the water.
The pot is smaller and much lighter.
I think this would work well for blanching tomatoes and peaches too.