MONTICELLO - Preserving homegrown fruits and vegetables by canning them at the end of the season is good for you, good for your wallet and reduces your environmental impact. But, if your pressure canner lid gauges are inaccurate, it can also be risky.
To ensure safety in the home canning process, especially for those just getting started canning or who are using an older canner, pressure canner lid gauges should be tested annually. This canning season, University of Illinois Extension would like to help you be safe by providing free gauge tests at your local Extension office. Over time, a dial gauge's calibration become inaccurate and show an incorrect pressure. If the pressure is even slightly lower than recommended, the internal temperature of the food will not be high enough to kill any bacteria, and harmful toxins can build up and cause illness or death.
At your convenience, drop off your dial gauge pressure canner lid or lids at any of the Extension offices listed below. Once the lids are tested, you will be contacted for pickup and provided with the results.
• DeWitt County Extension office, 8425 Katie Road, Clinton.
• Macon County Extension office, 3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd., Decatur.
• Piatt County Extension office, 210 S. Market Street, Monticello.
Offices are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Piatt County Extension office is closed noon to 1 p.m. Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate, please call (217) 762-2191.