Water-Bath Canner
Water-bath canners are available on the market. Any big metal container may be used as a boiling-water-bath canner if it is deep enough so that the water is well over tops of jars and has space to boil freely. Allow 2 to 4 inches above jar tops for brisk boiling (see sketch). The canner must have a tight-fitting cover and a wire or wooden rack. If the rack has dividers, jars will not touch each other or fall against the sides of the canner during processing.
If a steam-pressure canner is deep enough, you can use it for a water bath. Cover, but do not fasten. Leave petcock wide open, so that steam escapes and pressure does not build up inside the canner.
76892B
Space for brisk boiling—1″ or 2″ Space for brisk boiling—1″ or 2″ Space for 1″ to 2″ of water above jar Space for 1″ to 2″ of water above jar height of jar height of jar rack space rack space