It’s that time of year when people are looking to do some canning – maybe from their own garden bounty, or from discounts at local produce stands, farms, and stores.
Some of you have been asking about finding canning supplies on sale, so here are a few thoughts I have for you. Remember some of the stores I’m mentioning below are relative to my neck of the woods. If you don’t live in the PNW, you might check a variety of local stores to see what you can find, too!
Fred Meyer: Discounts on Canning Supplies
Fred Meyer seems to be moving their canning supplies on deeper discount as we approach fall. This week, I found water-bath canners, pressure cookers, and canning accessories for 30% off. You can use the 10% off Extra Bonus home coupon found in the ad on top of the sale too. It’s possible they’ll go on deeper discount even still because these items are not offered at all times of the year.
Here are a couple specific prices I noted at my Fred Meyer store this past Monday:
Water-Bath Canner $22.99
Less 30%
Use the 10% off Home coupon (found in this week’s ad)
Bottom line: $14.48
Pressure Canner $99.99
Less 30%
Use the 10% off Home coupon (found in this week’s ad)
Bottom line: $62.99
Albertsons: Double Coupons for Canning Items
There are a few Ball coupons and printable coupons you want to be aware about:
$1/1 Ball or Kerr Accessories or Case of Jars coupon from 8/26 SmartSource (exp 9/30)
$1/1 Ball or Kerr Lids coupon from 8/26 SmartSource (exp 9/30)
Buy 2, get 1 free Ball or Kerr Lids printable coupon (SmartSource.com)
During a recent Albertsons Twice the Value event, I was able to match the above 8/26 coupons to in-store deals:
Ball Lids $2.29+
$1/1 Ball or Kerr Jars or Accessories coupon from 8/26 SmartSource
Use a doubler
Bottom line: as low as $0.29
Ball Dissolvable Labels, 60-ct $3.99
$1/1 Ball or Kerr Jars or Accessories coupon from 8/26 SmartSource
Use a doubler
Bottom line: as low as $1.99
(These are pictured above, on my Blackberry Vodka jars)
Ball Liquid Pectin $3.59
$1/1 Ball or Kerr Jars or Accessories coupon from 8/26 SmartSource
Use a doubler
Bottom line: as low as $1.59
(“Accessories” seems to be a pretty vague term. I asked my cashier about it, and she scanned it, and it worked just fine.)
Of course, these kinds of deals will only work if we get Twice the Value coupons, and I have a sense we’re due for them soon….stay tuned.
Bed, Bath & Beyond: Use your coupons!
If you have any 20% off mailer coupons sitting around for Bed, Bath & Beyond, you might try them, too!
I picked up this water-bath canner back in the spring. They didn’t have it out on the shelves, but I asked and they pulled it out for me! I didn’t notice if they had canning jars, does anyone know?
WinCo: Good Source for Canning Jars
Many of you have vouched for WinCo as a good place to buy canning jars. Their prices certainly do seem reasonable – and make sure to bring those coupons I mentioned above with you! They are only good through the end of this month!
Other Sources for Cheap Canning Jars
A few last quick thoughts about where to buy canning jars:
- Craigslist, garage sales, and thrift stores. Some of you have mentioned finding FREE canning jars on Craigslist or a box of them for cheap at a garage sale. This may be a smart route to take, particularly if you’re on a tight budget and/or you have a lot to can. Remember to discard any jars that are chipped or cracked, and remember you’ll need to buy new lids every time you can. (The Albertsons doubler deal above would be a cheap route to replace the lids!) A quick note, from what I’ve read you should NOT use old jars from food you’ve bought at the store that has been commercially canned before (such as old pasta bottles, baby food bottles, etc.).
- Amazon? I ask and not state, because I’ve not personally kept an eye on Amazon, but would were I need of canning supplies, particularly so if you earn FREE Amazon credit using Swagbucks.
- Zulily. I’ve recently shared a few canning sales on Zulily. These aren’t as cheap as what I’ve shared above, but they offer unique and beautiful jars suitable for gifts for less. If you adore “pretty” jars, keep your eye on Zulily.
Bormioli Quattro Jars set of 4 for $9.99: recently sold at Zulily
Additional Canning Resources
Here are a few of my favorite resources for canning – whether you’re just getting into it or an old pro:
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. This beautiful, informative cookbook will help you safely can a variety of foods for your family! I personally own this cookbook, so let me know if I can answer any questions about it.
Food in Jars. If you think canning is outdated or old-fashioned, check out this eye-popping blog that makes canning food – dare I say it? – sexy. Start by browsing the site’s extensive recipe collection which includes such colorful creations as Yellow Tomato and Basil Jam, Peach-Plum Ginger Jam, and Curried Coconut Pumpkin Soup.
Ball’s Official Website. This site is a good one, particularly for newbies. There is an entire “Getting Started” section complete with easy-to-follow video tutorials. You can also find a class near you.
You might also wish to read about my first canning experience as well as a few fun canning recipes I shared over the summer.
If you’ve been canning for awhile, I’d love to know any other tips you might share for saving on canning jars and canning supplies?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I was able to get 5 cases of quart sized jars at Fred Meyer a couple of weeks ago for 6.76 per case. Combination of $10 Kraft catalina, 5/$1 ball coupons, and them being on sale. They also had regular lids for $1.99, which I used the B2G1 coupons on.
VERY nice!
They do have jars…I was perusing the canning section looking at prices of a pressure canner (which they didn’t have- at least at my store) for my mother and noticed they had jars.
Yes, Bed Bath and Beyond has jars. I went in a few weeks ago during a canning emergency (had a whole lot of blackberries and a sudden desire to learn to can, these things hit hard and fast) so I took my stash of five 20% off coupons up to the BB&B in Lynnwood, WA and they even had all the supplies in one of those middle-of-the walkway displays they like to do. I got a HUGE pressure canner that I’ve used as a water bath canner, three sizes of jars and the accessories kit with the lid lifter, jar grabber and head-space measuring tool.
I think everyone knows this but it’s worth mentioning in case someone doesn’t: You can use your BB&B coupons even when they’re expired and you can use many of them (not more than you have items though of course). They once had a limit of 7 but I don’t think I’ve been limited in the past year. Also, I think if you sign up for their email newsletter, you get a 20% off your entire purchase certificate.
I took your advise and went to Fred Meyer yesterday for canning supplies. Unfortunately the one I went to had VERY little supplies and weren’t marked with a 30% off
I would have scanned or checked for the discount but they didnt have anything I needed. I may try another Freddies before saturday. Wish me luck!!
Bi-Mart routinely has canning lid sales where regular mouth are $1.69 and widemouth for $1.99! Their jars are randomly on sale, too for $4.99 and up. Winco is farther for me, so that’s where I do a lot of canning supply shopping.
Thank you for mentioning that! No Bi-Mart in my area, but I’ve heard good things!
Friends, family and co-workers have been my sources for jars! I’ve scored about four dozen from the above sources, and have promises of more jars if I need them. Also, older people who maybe used to use them but can’t anymore often would love to give them to someone. Especially in exchange for a few full of lovely jam/fruit/etc. !
You haven’t talked too much about free fruit beyond blackberries- a neighbor and I have scored more apples than we can use this season just from trees in our neighborhood that have apples for the asking! Often, just knocking on the door of a neighbor with a tree weighed down results in taking home a full huge rubbermaid tub! Also, look for houses that may be empty/for sale and check with a listing agent- often they don’t want fallen fruit littering the lawn, so you’re being helpful by picking for them!
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