Latex-Free Canning Supplies |Non-Toxic Canning Supplies & More
Spoons and funnels and canners, oh my!
Updated 2024.
In previous years, we were so grateful for shares from a local chemical-free CSA! Alas, like so many small farms, they closed up shop, and in this case they cited "lack of abundance" as the reasoning.
I'm not the only person struggling to grow food in an increasingly toxic world!
But, while it lasted, it kept me hopping in the kitchen, fermenting and dehydrating up a storm to store up food for winter. As canning takes a lot of energy input, it's not top of my list when it comes to food preservation, but it's still on my list of things to do when I have an overabundance from the garden.
The hope remains that there will indeed be an abundance of tomatoes this year, but recent wildfire smoke and obviously toxic rain has my tomatoes looking sad.... so we shall see!
As I ponder all of the amazing applesauce I've canned in past years, before my local orchard changed hands and management, I do find myself smiling in appreciation of my non-toxic canning supplies and the jars that lined my cupboard, ready for winter.
So now I'm hungry....
Whether you're looking for latex-free canning supplies or safer, non-toxic options, I've got you covered! Everything I am linking to is either glass, stainless steel, or has some wood in it.
If you think natural rubber latex is as safe as cotton balls, think again. "Natural" rubber latex is a sensitizing toxicant, so prudent avoidance is advisable.
I understand that this flies in the face of the self-proclaimed natural living experts. Guess what? They almost killed me. I'd be dead as a door nail if I had continued to listen to their advice.
Recommended Book: Poisoned: Failed by Western Medicine, Modern Construction, and Corporate Interests
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This post is not intended to offer medical information or advice. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or otherwise address any diagnosis or symptom under the sun. Always consult your doctor about everything, because the FDA says so.
Latex-Free Canners
Personally, I only water bath can. However, All American pressure canners don't contain natural rubber latex. They are pricey though- and heavy! I actually sold the one I had as my Cipro-damaged arms couldn't handle it. My arms have improved with food medicine, however. You can find All American pressure canners on Amazon, eBay, and from Wal-Mart. I would avoid the painted pressure canners they now offer, however.
Look for a deal on eBay on a used one, they're always popping up on there.
I use a McSunley brand water bath canner (pictured) and absolutely love it. As of this update, it is available and just over $40 at Amazon! I specifically like this brand and model as there is no rubber- it is entirely glass and stainless steel. I do add a tablespoon of vinegar to help prevent water marks when I use it as we have hard water. You can also find this non-toxic water bath canner at Wal-Mart and sometimes on eBay.
Lehmen's water bath canners are another latex-free option, but avoid their accessories. They are all stainless steel and glass if you're short on options. Find them on eBay.
Another option might be an enamel water bath canner. Generally enamel has lead, so if a slight amount of lead dust in your home is of concern, this wouldn't be the best option. Since you aren't directly cooking food in it, lead wouldn't be transferred to your food. I have phased most enamel out of our home, but I'll still keep our antique clawfoot tub and the two huge antique enamel wash basins my grandma gave me. I also still use an old enamel stock pot for making my soap. Enamel water bath canners may be found from Amazon, eBay, and Wal-Mart. Again, if it is part of a kit, ditch the accessories/ spatulas/ etc. as those are rarely made of safe material. Etsy is another good resource for vintage or antique canning supplies, including enamel water bath canners. Sometimes you can really score some deals on vintage/ antique items on Etsy.
Latex-Free Canning Tools
Most canning accessories and tools contain rubber. Some are marketed as silicone, but silicone can still contain natural rubber latex. Silicone is not always latex-free! I have tried some of the rubber-handled canning accessories that manufacturers claimed as latex-free and had latex-type reactions to them, so I honestly can't recommend any of those for individuals with latex allergy, or for anyone seeking to avoid a latex allergy/ the toxicity inherent in natural rubber latex.
Wood tools work wonderfully for canning purposes. You may need to check about what type of wood a spatula is made from for your own personal tolerance. You definitely don't want a rubberwood spatula!
Plastic when heated off-gasses a variety of toxins, so I recommend against using plastic canning jar accessories.
Vintage canning jar lifters can be purchased for under $10 on eBay or Etsy.
I use this stainless steel funnel (pictured) for filling my canning jars. I tried canning without a funnel, and it didn't go very well! A funnel will truly make all of the difference in the world for this job. You may also opt for the mother of all non-toxic funnels, a glass funnel! You'll have to go vintage for that, via eBay or Etsy. I love my glass funnel, as glass is always latex-free! They can be hard to find though, and a stainless steel canning jar funnel from Wal-Mart, eBay, or Amazon will be a lot cheaper than a glass funnel. Be sure you opt for a wide mouth funnel for canning purposes.
I have a set of 3 wooden spoons by Oxo Good Grips, found from Amazon, eBay, or Wal-Mart. The same brand does offer wooden turners as well that might work as a safer, non-toxic spatula/ wood turner, also available from Amazon, eBay, or Wal-Mart.
This OXO Good Grips wooden spoon set (pictured) is made of beech, so this isn't something you want to use if you have a beech allergy. I purchased this set August 26, 2016 and we still use all 3 spoons on a daily basis. They do pick up stains sometimes, but that doesn't hurt them any. I use the smallest spoon for diatomaceous earth and bentonite clay as it's really too small for most practical purposes. Food grade mineral oil is used to finish all of OXO's wood kitchen utensils. Personally I generally don't tolerate mineral oil (as many with MCS do not), and view it as mildly toxic since it is derived from petroleum. However, once washed the utensils don't seem to be impacted.
If you can tolerate the Amazon stench that will seep into wooden items, the OXO Wooden Turner also might be an option for you. It is also made of beech and finished with food grade mineral oil.
Generally I would recommend against ordering wooden items via Amazon these days, as wood is porous and absorbs all of the toxic chemicals that are used/stored in the warehouses. I haven't thought much about where I would order wooden kitchen goods lately, though, so I'll let that rattle around in my brain and update this post if I think of something. Zoro sometimes drop-ships directly from manufacturers.
Other brands offer wooden kitchen utensils in teak, bamboo, and olive wood, but bamboo is often a latex cross due to being so closely related to the rubber tree.
If mineral oil is an issue, or if teak, bamboo, beech, and olive are not options for you, there may be an Etsy seller who would work with you. I've found some great custom products on Etsy.
Latex-Free Canning Jar Lids
Ball brand canning jar lids are latex-free, BPA-free, and manufactured in a facility that doesn't use latex gloves. Find Ball canning jar lids at Amazon, eBay, or Wal-Mart.
When it comes to replacements for BPA, it could be healthier than BPA or it could be worse. Based on regrettable substitution, most likely BPA replacement chemicals are more toxic than BPA.
Unfortunately this is the reality of the toxic world we live in. Kerr canning jar lids are the same as Ball lids, and may also be found at Wal-Mart, eBay, or Amazon.
If you are struggling to find affordable canning jar lids online and locally, check out local dollar stores, grocery stores, and hardware stores. There was a shortage of canning jars, lids, and bands in 2020 and 2021, and I expect continued supply chain disruption over the coming years.
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