Adventures in Canning VII: No.10 cans

[Twigg]

Ok now we're getting into some serious canning equipment here so this will be geared to the serious prepper. The No. 10 can is very versitile and you can put up any number of dry goods very easily. These make for an excellent storge container for those living in rural area where lil' rodent creatures have a nasty habit of infiltrating their homes. How big is a No. 10 can ? Its 7 inches tall and is 6&1/8th inches in diameter. How much product will a No. 10 can hold ? Continue reading to find out.

First up is a picture to show the size of a No.10 can compared to a standard can of veggies.

There is a flange on the top of the can which fits into a recess in the lid and the two parts are rolled together and down along the side of the can to seal the contents inside.

I'll be canning rice for this illustration but you can put pretty much anything into these cans as long as it's dry so things like Rice, Pasta, dry beans, oats (for making oatmeal), and whole grains will can easily and as long as the cans are kept dry will last.

So I'm pouring rice in one of the cans here.

Next place an oxygen absorber packet into the can and cover with a lid.

Place the can onto the turntable of the sealer.

Note the little red dohicky handle above. This needs to be pointing down otherwise the can won't fit.

Once the can is set, move the dohicky handle UP so the flange contacts the sealing mechanism.

Turn the machine on and push the sealing handle away from you and count three revolutions of the can.

Then swing the handle towards your body and count another three revolutions.

Remove the can and lable it immediately ! If you don't and are canning multiple items you'll have a "mystery can" . I'll be scribing the contents on later just in case the "permanant" marker isnt.

Guess how much rice fits into a No.10 can ?

OK, all done. This is just over 60 LBS of rice, all done in 11 cans. took about half an hour to do.

Basically this is what the folks going to the LDS cannery in Worcester are doing, you can buy the cans, lids and other small items there as well as bulk food items and IIRC you can bring your own items into the cannery and process them there as well.
Someone will correct me if I'm wrong on that one.

That's it folks I've got more products to put up, hope you learned something.

 

[fubar]

LDS told me they only allow their own product to be canned by " Outsiders." In a very friendly way , I like those people a lot.

Tell us where you got your own set up. Please. I am jealous , and would love to do a " group buy " with some friends.

 

[Twigg]

Tell us where you got your own set up.

I borrowed it. Thought it'd be a good time for another post on canning.

If you want one of your own you'd better be sitting down when you see the pricing. The one you need is called a Senior Can Sealer, this is the size needed for No. 10 and No. 12 cans. Pricing for unmotorized units (Flywheel only) start anywhere from 900 to 1600 bucks new. Motorized units seem to all be priced around the 2K mark. Told ya.

If three or four famlies went in on one, believe me, you'd be getting your money's worth. This is a really good way of storing grain also. It's a lot more convient to open a can holding two to six pounds of grain, rice or pasta than it is to wrestle with superpails.

 

[fubar]

Wow. ... Well , thanks for sharing the pictures. I got out to the LDS cannery last winter , but it was 4 people & one truck. ... I'd like ten times the cans I have now ...

 

[Jamie]

Wow. ... Well , thanks for sharing the pictures. I got out to the LDS cannery last winter , but it was 4 people & one truck. ... I'd like ten times the cans I have now ...

Not to hijack, but I'll be setting up some more trips to the LDS cannery soon. The next open dates are after Thanksgiving.

 

[Hiltonizer]

just curious as I haven't been able to justify it personally...

What advantages do you see with this over using the thicker gallon sized mylar bags?

Cost is a big reason why I prefer that method, even if you factor in rodent proof containers to put the bags in so I have been wondering what the appeal to this is.

 

[Twigg]

I get my cans through the LDS storehouse, cost for can, lid, dessicant and o2 absorber is $1.30 each.
Benefits over gallon size mylar:
Stackable
Rodent proof
More durable
Easily transported
Holds a lil' bit more

Empty cans can be made into emergency stoves or small improvised buckets. Hope this helps.

 

[Knob Creek]

Excellent post. I've wanted one for awhile but as you pointed out pricy. Although it could be considered priceless at some point in time.

 

[coastie]

Excellent post. I've wanted one for awhile but as you pointed out pricy. Although it could be considered priceless at some point in time.

It is priceless only if you have an adequate supply of cans. Unlike jars you cant reuse them. If you are careful you can even reuse the jar lids.

I believe if you look at the LDS list the cans typically hold a little bit less than the bags. I like the cans better because you can do so many things with the cans once they are empty, they stack easier, and they are rodent proof.

Jamie, definitely interested in the next trip.

 

[mclina]

Thanks for posting the pictures.

How do you manage your O2 absorbers while sealing the cans? I am able to prepare 10 mylar bags with about a 2" gap left open, then quickly bust open my bag of O2 absorbers, distribute them into the bags, and seal up all of the bags in less than a minute. I am guessing that it takes a bit longer to seal shut the cans. Do you keep the O2 absorbers sealed up somehow while you process a batch of cans?

Thanks

Edit: I did go back and see that you had the O2 absorbers in a ziploc bag, but I'm still curious as to how long it takes to seal up a few cans and how long the O2 absorbers remain viable in the ziploc.

 

[Twigg]

I don't do more than two cans at a time. The packets are taken out quickly and the bag holding them is folded over several times. Then they go in on top of the product, the lid goes on, and the can into into the machine in about five seconds once you've got the rythem down. At this point the can is pretty much "sealed" the machine then rolls the edges down alongside the side of the can locking the lid on.

As to how long the O2 absorbers remain viable in the bag, I have no idea.

 

[Metalhead]

Not to hijack, but I'll be setting up some more trips to the LDS cannery soon. The next open dates are after Thanksgiving.

I would be very interested in going.

Twigg - very cool.

 

[OPM]

Yes, one of the LDS disadvantages, you cannot bring your own goods to can. You must use only the supply you bought at the cannery.

Do not use desiccant and oxygen absorber. O2 need moisture to work. I usually put O2 first and then add food. It helps to have 3 people and build an assembly line. With 3 people you can quickly fly through tons of food.

 

[Andy in NH]

What about new (unused) paint cans with a food grade liner and an O2 absorber?

Easy to close / open and reusable.

Thoughts?

 

[Twigg]

If a food grade liner were available then unused paint cans could be an option. Placing items in a mylar bag or ina vacuum sealed bag inside the can would be another option.

Disadvantages might be smaller size and cost per can but the latter would be offset by the ability to re-use them.