canning supplies

[trev80]

Where can I purchase mason/bell jars and other canning supplies in boston/somerville? Market basket maybe?

[anais_in_waiting]

Definitely check out the Tru Value on Salem St. in the N. End. I noticed them there recently. That place has EVERYTHING. I love it.

[Jeda]

Slightly off topic - but - any chance anyone knows of any canning classes locally? I would love to start, but am a little scared of leaping into the great unknown on my own.

[BostonZest]

Slow food Boston has a few spots in an upcoming class

http://slowfoodboston.com/events.cfm

Preserving the Harvest, Part 1 of 4
Location: Haley House Bakery & Cafe
Cost: $40
When: Sunday, 07/20/2008 3:00PM
Only 3 spots left!

[tdaaa]

Start with jams to get used to the process. They are very high in sugar, and go into the jars extremely hot, so there is virtually no risk. Not to mention the joy you will get opening a jar of homemade jam in the middle of the winter (if it lasts that long).

There is really nothing particularly difficult about canning. Get a small handbook and have fun - really no need for classes.

[BostonZest]

There is usually a great selection at the Hardware store on Salem Street in the North End and you can take a rest at Neptune Oyster before or after shopping. ;)

* Salem Street True Value Hardware
* 89 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113
* [phone]

[janzy]

Walmart has them.

[greygarious]

It's too early for most supermarkets to carry much in the way of canning supplies. Look there, and in hardware stores, in August.

[bspence]

I do alot of canning and find that it is cheaper to order jars online, here is the link to the squarecompany that sells the most amazing collection of canning jars

http://www.sunburstbottle.com/glass-j...

[cpingenot]

China Fair on Mass Ave had a limited selection last summer- mainly quart jars and you had to buy a case (12 I think).
Has anyone tried the WECK jars? If so, did you buy them locally?
They're so lovely, but I've heard they're trickier than mason/ bell jars, so as a novice canner I'm a bit afraid.

[swans]

China Fair didn't have any last week when I was on my search. KMart in West Lebanon, NH was absolutely flush with all sizes though (I happened to be passing through).

[erican]

I know this thread is old, but just an update for anyone looking now - while I found one or two boxes of Ball 8oz jam jars at Market Basket last year, they seem not to be carrying them anymore. No luck in any other grocery stores either. Tags in Porter, however, has a huge selection (half-pint, pint, quart, quilted, plain, wide-mouth, lids) and plenty in stock.

[chowcat]

I don't imagine most stores have them at this time of year, but I usually see a good display in Shaw's when it's peak canning time in late July/August.

[erican]

but strawberries are ripe now! ; )

[AGM_Cape_Cod]

Thanks for the info. It seems that they are getting harder to come by. I can't decide if places aren't carrying them or that more people are using them. I hope it is the later. I once asked Ball how many cases I would need to take to get an order from directly from them. At that point it was 15 cases. Wonder what it is now and whether enough people could get together for an order. Anyone interested?

[cambridgejen]

The last I checked, my local Ace Hardware in Arlington had a variety of canning jars. (Shattuck on Mill St.) I haven't looked in a few weeks but I'm betting they still have a good selection.

[content]

In the past I've found them at craft stores like AC Moore or Michaels. But I haven't bought any in a while.

[threedogs]

Everyone's suggestions are right on. Stop & Shop's also have canning jars - don't know if there are any near you. The True Value Hardware store in the North End must have them, too.

[dukegirl]

Old-timey hardware stores (think pre-Home Depot, like Aubuchon) usually have a good selection of canning supplies. Market Basket may have them and Wal-Mart and K-Mart usually have them, too.

[maillard]

Tags hardware in Porter Square has canning supplies.