Frequently Asked Questions

If I have a canning question, can I email you directly?
I get a lot of email and though I try to respond in a timely manner, I can’t always respond as quickly as is ideal. Your best bet for an immediate reply is to post your question to the Food in Jars Facebook page. There’s an active community of canners there and you’ll get a reply more promptly than if you depend on me working my way through my email.

Can you tell me if my canned goods are safe? 
I am not a canning oracle. I cannot judge the safety of a product by reading a description of how you made it or looking at a photo of the jars. If you doubt the safety of your homemade products, do not eat them. To be safe, only use recipes from reliable sources and bring yourself up to date with the latest canning guidelines before embarking on a preserving project.

Do you teach classes?
I do! I offer both regular group workshops as well as private classes. Click here to view my upcoming classes.

Do you write anywhere else?
I do indeed! In addition to writing this blog, you can also find my stuff on Table Matters,  the Food Network’s FN Dish blog, Simple Bites, the Cuisinart Blog and the Mrs. Wages newsletter, as well as in the pages of Grid Philly Magazine. I also occasionally post something on my original blog, which is called Apartment 2024.

When does your book come out?
My first cookbook, called Food in Jars: Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round was published by Running Press in May 2012. I am currently working on a second book on super small batch canning. It will be available in Spring 2014.

Who designed your logo?
The Food in Jars logo was designed by my friend and former co-worker, Roger Estes. You can find more of his work here.

What kind of camera do you use?
99% of the time, I use a Nikon D3100 with a 35mm fixed lens. Once in a great while, I’ll borrow my husband’s Canon DSLR or use our Canon G10 if I need something portable.