(Beaver, Pa.) Penn State Ext. in Beaver is reminding you that Canning season is just around the corner, and now is the time to check your dial gauge pressure canner!  Accurate pressure is critical for safe processing of low acid foods such as green beans, beets, corn, potatoes, soups, and meats. If the pressure reading on your gauge is not accurate, bacteria and spores, which can cause illness or death, may not be killed. It’s important to have the pressure gauge tested each year.

Although the office is closed to the public at this time, The Extension is happy to offer no-contact dial gauge pressure canner testing by appointment only on Friday, Aug. 7 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Penn State Extension office in Beaver.  Call Mary Alice Gettings at 724-371-2067 to make an appointment.  The testing is available at no charge and you only need to bring the canner lid with the gauge. Weighted gauge canner lids do not need to be tested. At the time of your appointment, you will place your pressure gauge/lid in a bin outside the back door of the office.  While you wait in your car, Mary Alice will retrieve your pressure gauge/lid, test it, place it back in the bin, and call you when testing is complete to discuss the results.

Penn State Extension’s Let’s Preserve series of fact sheets can be found at https://extension.psu.edu/food-safety-and-quality/home-food-safety/lets-preserve

For webinars, articles, and videos check out https://extension.psu.edu/food-safety-and-quality/home-food-safety/food-preservation.