Home Food Safety and Preservation Program

Good food is worth preserving

Food safety and preservation resources and classes, provided through the Oregon State University Extension Family and Community Health, ensure Oregonians have access to the most reliable information available. It is critical that those who prepare food and practice preserving and processing foods at home have access to research-based information on safe food handling.

Announcements

Apply now for the 2024 OSU Extension Master Food Preserver Volunteer Program!

Applications are being accepted for Master Food Preserver (MFP) volunteer training for 2024. MFPs help Central Oregonians understand safe food preservation choices, avoid serious illness, make the best quality products, and help reduce... Read more...

See all announcements

Many of our county offices offer food preservation programs and workshops, including our Master Food Preserver program. Contact your county extension office for more information.

The OSU Food Safety and Preservation Hotline is closed for the season. Thank you to our Lane and Douglas Master Food Preserver Volunteers for responding to over 500 calls from July through mid-October 2023.

Our experts in food safety and preservation are available to respond to your questions online at Ask Extension.

Credit: Amanda Loman (Cropped from original)

Dial gauges

Dial gauges should be checked for accuracy and overall condition every year prior to the beginning of canning season. If you use your dial gauge throughout the year, check it at the same time every year.

Many of our Extension offices provide dial gauges tested for free! Check the document below for county specific information.

Using a weighted gauge on a dial gauge canner

Pressure regulators

It is also recommended that you convert your single weight to the 3 part weight for Presto canners. For All American it is a round weight that replaces the vent pipe with a petcock. It has 3 holes for 5lb, 10lb and 15lb pressure. Weights never need to be calibrated, and the gauge becomes an indicator when you can safely remove the lid. Please contact the manufacturer to ensure you order the correct one.

2023 County Food Preservation Resources/ Gauge Testing

Canning Timer and Checklist App

Additional resources

In addition to our food safety and preservation publications, we recommend these other sources for safe and accurate information:

National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) - Leading resource for home food safety and preservation in the USA. Research for these recipes was conducted at the NCHFP or by leading experts and researchers at land-grant universities, including Oregon State University.
USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, 2015 edition - This manual was produced by the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Available free, online. Downloadable sections, also free. Print copies can be ordered from Purdue University Press.
So Easy to Preserve, 6th Edition - Explore information on So Easy to Preserve, a 375-page book with over 185 tested recipes, along with step by step instructions and in-depth information for both the new and experienced food preserver. Chapters include Preserving Food, Canning, Pickled Products, Jellied Fruit Products, Freezing and Drying. Video Series also available.

Credit: Amanda Loman (Cropped from original)