Dry Pack Canning 101

Dry pack canning is fun, fast and economical. This was our purpose in visiting Honeyville... to purchase 25/50 lb. bags of grains, beans and flour to can. Finding space in the house for the finished cans was the hardest part.

Before you go shopping, have the canner set up and ready to go. The cans/lids may be purchased at Honeyville, the LDS Canneries and other places. If you're unsure of how many cans to buy, someone will help you. Be sure to purchase the little oxygen packets, also. These packets will absorb any oxygen in the can itself to create a vacuum. This extends the shelf life, and kills any lurking insects. Don't expose the small packets to air any longer than necessary.

I set the canner (also called a sealer) smack dab in the livingroom, with a sheet spread out underneath.

The Stake's canner comes with a handy workbench. This is an easy set up. Attach the canner to the workbench with the included C clamps and plug in the cord.

The vertical black handle at the top side needs to be unscrewed and positioned horizontally onto the right side of the canner. This handle will apply the torgue needed to bend the lids edge onto the can and create a tight seal. Posistion the can onto the round white disc. Push the handle underneath to the left; this will lift the disc/can to the proper position to be sealed. If this needs adjusting, slightly change the position of the screw with a wrench.
With the can securely seated, flip the switch on the left. The can will rotate continuously. Push the handle away from you, slowly increasing pressure while the can rotates three or four times. Reverse direction by pulling the handle toward you, using a little muscle to to seal the lid. Rotate the can about seven or eight times. Flip off the switch and lower the can. Inspect the top lid to see that it's been securely sealed.

Remember that it takes strength to dry pack!

Gather your helpers... watch out for the cans' sharp edges!

We assembled in the kitchen, pouring the product into the cans there. It was easiest if we placed the large sacks into the basin, then scooped the grain into the cans. Your helpers may need a small stool to give them a little height.

After filling about 15 cans, we would place an oxygen pack atop the grains, then quickly lay a lid on top. We placed the covered cans on the dining room table, then carried them one by one to the canner. (Be sure to label the can immediately with what's inside, and the day's date.) Then we'd continue with the next group of cans. This was much less messy than I thought it would be... actually very little to clean up afterward.

The day was quite satisfying... seeing all the cans pile up was rewarding. And our helpers made everything so much more fun.