Get started with canning using these essential supplies for making jam at home.
Canning can feel intimidating at first, but it’s a skill anyone can learn. With the right supplies and a little preparation, you can preserve summer fruit and enjoy it year-round.
Below is a clear, practical list of the basic canning supplies you’ll need to make jam, along with tips to help you choose the best options for beginners.
Canning Supplies for Jam
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Before you start a jam recipe, gather the right equipment. Having the proper tools on hand makes the process faster, safer, and more enjoyable. Here’s what I recommend for beginners.
1. Canning jars
Canning jars come in several sizes and shapes. The most common sizes you’ll see in grocery stores or home goods aisles are:
- Quart (4-cup) and pint (2-cup) jars, available in regular or wide mouth openings. These larger jars are typically used for fruits, salsas, and pickles.
- Half-pint (1-cup) and 4-ounce (1/2-cup) jars are ideal for jam and jelly; many are even labeled “jam jars.” Smaller jars are great for gifting and portion control.
2. Lids and rings
Each jar needs a two-part closure: a flat lid and a screw band (ring). Most jar sets include lids and rings, but lids should be replaced after each use. Rings may be reused if they remain rust-free and undamaged, but replace them if they are bent or corroded. Make sure lids and rings match your jars’ opening size (regular or wide mouth).
3. Large canner and jar rack (for hot water bath)
If your recipe uses the hot water bath method, you’ll need a tall canning pot with a rack to hold jars off the bottom. A stainless steel canner is a better long-term investment than inexpensive enamelware—stainless resists flaking and is easier to sanitize.
Note: Some jam recipes do not require a hot water bath; always follow the method recommended in the recipe you choose.
4. Masher
To break down fresh berries for jam, a hand masher works well. A good-quality masher helps achieve the texture you want—smooth or slightly chunky—without overworking the fruit.
5. Large cooking pot
If you don’t have a separate canner, a large stockpot will do for cooking jam. Choose a heavy-bottomed pot that distributes heat evenly to prevent scorching. Many home cooks have a reliable stockpot for making jam, soups, and preserves.
6. Jar lifter and tongs
When using the hot water bath, a jar lifter is indispensable for safely lifting hot jars in and out of boiling water. Kitchen tongs are helpful for handling lids and other items while they’re hot.
7. Large measuring pitcher with spout
A measuring pitcher with a pour spout makes transferring hot jam into jars much easier and cleaner. Many cooks use one pitcher for the fruit mixture and another for sugar or other liquids to keep things organized.
Canning funnel
If you prefer not to pour from a pitcher, a canning funnel helps funnel hot jam neatly into jars without spilling. It’s an inexpensive tool that speeds up the filling process and reduces mess.
Canning jar labels
Labeling your jars is both practical and fun. Simple paper labels or decorative tags help you track the type of jam and the date it was made. Labeled jars also make lovely gifts—decorate them with scrapbook paper, fabric, or ribbon for a personalized touch.
Recipe ideas and further reading
- Try an old-fashioned blackberry jam recipe made from fresh berries with no added pectin for a simple, fruit-forward preserve.
- Explore collections of berry recipes to discover variations using strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and mixed berries.
- If you want to expand beyond jam, look for collections of canning recipes that include salsas, pickles, sauces, and fruit preserves.
- Learn techniques like making clear homemade apple juice if you want to preserve other types of produce.
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