Got more garden bounty than you know what to do with? Or maybe you're just starting out and want to make the most of what you grow?

Either way, preserving your own food can feel a little old-fashioned (in the best way), and with the right tools, it’s actually pretty simple.

Whether you're stocking a pantry with homemade pickles or drying herbs for winter, the right gear makes things smoother, safer, and way more enjoyable.

In the list below, you’ll find 15 of the best tools for every kind of food preservation, whether you're building a beginner setup or leveling up your homestead kitchen. Let’s get into it.

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Water Bath Canners

Water bath canning is a great starting point for beginners. It’s perfect for high-acid foods like jams, pickles, and tomatoes. Essentially, you submerge filled jars in boiling water to seal them up.

Here are some top-rated water bath canners worth checking out:

1. Granite Ware 21.5-Quart Enamel Water Bath Canner Kit – Budget-Friendly Classic

Granite Ware Enamel Water Bath Canner Kit (21.5 Qt) – This is the classic speckled canning pot you might remember from grandma’s kitchen. 

It’s made of enamel-on-steel, so it heats evenly and is tough enough to last years. The Granite Ware canner holds about 7 quart jars (or 9 pints) at a time, perfect for most home canning needs. 

This kit even comes with a canning rack and basic tools (jar lifter, funnel, etc.), which is super handy for beginners. Home growers frequently choose this kit as an affordable starter because it’s simple and gets the job done. 

If you’re just dipping your toes into canning, this trusty pot is absolutely worth checking out for its durability and value.

2. McSunley Stainless Steel Water Bath Canner (21.5 Qt) – Sturdy Upgrade

Looking for something a bit more modern? McSunley Stainless Steel Canner with Glass Lid is a popular upgrade pick. 

It has the same 21.5-quart capacity as the Granite Ware, but the stainless steel construction means no chipping and it works on induction cooktops as well. 

The clear tempered glass lid is a nice touch – you can actually see your jars boiling away (no more peeking and risk losing heat). It comes with a metal jar rack included. 

This one is a top pick for small spaces or folks with smooth-top stoves, since the flat bottom and quality build make it compatible and efficient. 

It’s a bit pricier than enamel pots, but many home canners say the durability and compatibility are worth it. If you plan to can year after year, a sturdy stainless canner like this is worth considering.

3. Ball FreshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner (21 Qt) – Convenient Electric Option

Tired of monopolizing your stove with a giant pot?

Mee the Ball “EasyCanner” Electric Water Bath Canner – an electric water bath canner. Ball, the famous mason jar folks, created this countertop canner that plugs in like an appliance. 

It frees up your stove and automatically keeps the water at a boil.

It’s essentially a big electric kettle designed for canning, complete with a spigot at the bottom to drain hot water safely (no lugging a giant pot to the sink!). 

This 21-quart unit has plenty of capacity for your jars. It’s a premium gadget (often on the higher end of the price range), but frequently chosen by home growers who do large batches or those short on stove space. 

Helpful tip: When water bath canning, always make sure your jars are fully covered by 1-2 inches of boiling water. And remember, water bath is safe for high-acid foods; low-acid veggies and meats need the pressure canner we’ll discuss next!

Pressure Canners

Moving up to pressure canning – the big leagues of preserving! Pressure canners are essential for low-acid foods like vegetables, meats, and soups.

They seal jars under high pressure, reaching temperatures above boiling to safely eliminate any nasties (hello, botulism prevention). Don’t worry, they sound scarier than they are.

Here are some of the most frequently chosen pressure canners across various price points:

1. Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker – Reliable Workhorse

Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner is the classic pressure canner you’ll see recommended all over homesteading groups and canning forums.

The Presto 23-qt has a dial gauge on top and comes with a weighted regulator for 15 PSI. It’s big enough to hold seven quart jars (or 20+ smaller jars in stacks), yet it’s actually pretty affordable for its size.

Many home canners love that the Presto is a reliable workhorse – not fancy, but it does the job year after year. It’s made of heavy-duty aluminum, which distributes heat evenly.

According to expert reviews, it has a large capacity, durability, and works on all cooktops (even those flat glass stoves).

One thing to note: the dial gauge should be checked for accuracy every so often (your local county extension can help with that) – or you can mostly rely on the weight for 15 psi.

For beginners venturing into pressure canning, the Presto is worth checking out due to its reasonable price and proven track record. This model is practically a rite of passage in the canning community!

2. All American 21.5-Quart Pressure Canner (Model 921) – Premium “Buy-It-For-Life” Canner

If Presto is the trusty Honda of canners, the All American is the Cadillac. This is the premium, heavy-duty canner that serious homesteaders often invest in after they’ve caught the canning bug.

It’s made in the USA of thick cast aluminum and has a unique metal-to-metal sealing system (meaning no rubber gasket to wear out).

The lid clamps down with six sturdy knobs, creating an ultra-tight seal. All Americans can last for decades – many folks inherit them from parents or grandparents.

They are on the pricey side (and quite hefty in weight), but virtually indestructible. The 21.5-quart model holds 7 quart jars like the Presto. Users rave about how stable the pressure and temperature stay.

In fact, this canner receives primarily positive user reviews, with many liking the excellent pressure regulation and not having to replace gaskets. (Some do note it’s an investment and takes muscle to lift when full – true!).

If you plan to can lots of low-acid foods every season, the All American is frequently chosen by veteran home canners as the gold standard.

3. Nesco “Smart Canner” Digital Pressure Canner (9.5 Qt) – Beginner-Friendly Electric Canner

For those who feel intimidated by stovetop pressure canning, there’s a newer kid on the block: electric pressure canners.

The Nesco Smart Canner is essentially a safe pressure cooker that’s designed for canning small batches. It’s about 9.5 quarts in volume, so it fits 4 quart jars or 5 pint jars – great for a backyard garden’s worth of veggies.

You plug it in, select the canning function, and it automatically monitors and adjusts pressure (taking some guesswork out).

Many beginners love it as a top pick for small spaces or if they’re nervous about managing a stovetop canner. It’s like the slow-cooker version of a pressure canner – you can set it up and let it do its thing with built-in safety timers.

The trade-off is the smaller capacity; you’ll need to do multiple batches for lots of jars. It’s also only for high-acid or approved low-acid recipes – always follow the manual and tested recipes.

But overall, this Nesco digital canner is worth checking out if ease of use is your priority. It offers a gentle introduction to pressure canning while still giving you shelf-stable jars at the end of the day.

Safety tip: Always use current, tested canning recipes and follow the instructions for your specific pressure canner model. Proper pressure and time are key to safe preservation.

Now, onward to some fermentation fun!

Fermentation Kits and Crocks

Fermenting food is an age-old preservation method – think sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles.

It’s the easiest way to preserve in many ways: you don’t need electricity or fancy equipment, just a vessel, salt, and time.

Of course, a few helpful tools can make fermenting more foolproof. Here are two fermentation setups frequently chosen by home growers, from beginner kits to traditional crocks:

1. Masontops Complete Mason Jar Fermentation Kit – Best for Beginners

If you have a Mason jar and produce to pickle, Masontops Complete Mason Jar Fermentation Kit has the rest covered.

It includes special pickle pipe airlock lids that fit on wide-mouth mason jars, allowing gases out without letting air (and mold) in.

You also get glass weights (to keep veggies submerged in brine) and even a little tamping tool to pack your jars. In short, it’s a starter kit that converts ordinary jars into fermentation vessels.

This set is super popular and worth checking out for anyone new to fermenting – it takes a lot of the mystery out of the process. No burping jars daily or fussing with homemade contraptions; the silicone airlock lids do the job automatically.

Home growers love using these for sauerkraut, fermented jalapeños, dilly beans – you name it. The casual, low-risk nature of small-jar ferments means you can try a few jars of different recipes without much investment.

If you’re “ferment-curious,” this kit is a friendly way to get bubbling. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, so a top pick for newbies.

2. Humble House Ceramic Fermentation Crock (5 Liter) – Traditional Crock for Big Batches

When you’re ready to ferment larger quantities or just want the old-school experience, a ceramic crock is the way to go.

The Humble House “Sauerkrock” is a 5-liter (1.3 gallon) ceramic fermenting crock with a clever water-seal moat that acts as a natural airlock (no burping required).

It comes with two heavy ceramic weights to keep veggies submerged and can handle 4–5 cabbages’ worth of sauerkraut, big kimchi batches, or lots of pickles.

This size is great for families – roomy but not overwhelming – and looks lovely on the counter while quietly working its probiotic magic.

Humble House is a favorite for being durable, well-made, and more affordable than many European crocks. If you’ve got a garden full of produce or just love a big batch ferment, this is a solid pick.

Fun fact: Fermentation doesn’t make your kitchen reek if done right – the water-sealed crocks or airlock lids greatly reduce any odor. So don’t be afraid to try fermenting that bumper crop of cucumbers.

Food Dehydrators

Dehydrating is a fantastic way to preserve foods by removing moisture – think dried fruits, veggie chips, herbs, and jerky.

It’s an easy, energy-efficient preservation method and yields snacks that are lightweight and shelf-stable.

Here are a few dehydrators frequently chosen by homesteaders, from budget to premium:

1. NESCO Snackmaster Pro (FD-75A) Dehydrator – Best Budget & Beginner-Friendly

This round, stackable-tray dehydrator has been a top pick for small spaces and beginners for years.

It’s relatively compact (about the size of a stock pot), but packs a punch with a 600-watt heater and top-mounted fan. The Snackmaster comes with 5 trays (expandable to 12 if you buy extra) that you stack up.

What home users love is its simplicity: just an adjustable thermostat and an on/off switch – no fancy digital fuss. Despite the low cost, it dries fruit leather, apple rings, herbs, and beef jerky quite evenly thanks to NESCO’s airflow design. It’s also quiet and easy to clean.

For ~$70-ish, it’s worth checking out as an entry-level dehydrator that’s reliable. Many an experienced homesteader started with a NESCO Snackmaster and found it surprisingly capable for its price.

2. COSORI Premium Stainless Steel Dehydrator (6 Tray) – Mid-Range Marvel

Stepping up a notch, this Cosori dehydrator offers a larger capacity and digital precision while still being reasonably priced.

It has a stainless steel body and trays (no plastic except the housing frame), which appeals to those avoiding plastic or wanting extra durability.

With 6 slide-out trays, a rear-mounted fan for even heat, and a digital control panel (timer and adjustable temperature up to ~165°F), it’s a modern take on the dehydrator.

The Cosori is a top pick for folks who find themselves dehydrating more often – it can handle bigger batches of fruit slices or jerky compared to the smaller stackable units.

It’s also quieter and looks sleeker on the countertop. At a mid-range price point, you get features like an auto shutoff and even a memory function for your last setting.

If you’ve got room in the budget and plan to dehydrate regularly, the Cosori is frequently chosen for its balance of capacity, features, and value.

3. Excalibur 9-Tray Electric Dehydrator – High-End for Serious Dehydrating

Excalibur is the name that always comes up when discussing the best dehydrators, and for good reason.

This 9-tray model provides 15 square feet of drying space – you can practically dehydrate your entire garden in one go! It’s a large cube-shaped unit with trays that slide in like oven racks, and a big fan at the back for uniform drying.

There’s an adjustable thermostat and a 26-hour timer, so you can set it and let it run without worry.

Serious homesteaders adore the Excalibur for big projects: making large batches of beef jerky, bulk dehydrating fruit, or preserving heaps of herbs.

It is a premium appliance with a price tag to match, but built to last. Many users report running theirs for a decade or more.

If you dehydrate a ton of produce or want the capacity for things like raising bread/yogurt (the Excalibur can double as a warming box at low temps), this is a top-tier pick.

It might be overkill for casual use, but for those with large gardens or who like to stock up on seasonal produce, the Excalibur’s efficiency and volume can’t be beat.

Drying tip: Slice foods evenly and don’t overcrowd the trays. Most fruits are done when they’re leathery but still slightly pliable; veggies should be brittle.

Store your dried goodies in airtight containers (like the jars we’ll talk about next) to keep them crisp and tasty!

Vacuum Sealers

Vacuum sealers aren’t a standalone preservation method – but they are absolutely worth the countertop space. 

They work by sucking the air out of bags or containers, which helps keep your food fresher, longer (and prevents those tragic freezer-burned strawberries you meant to use in smoothies). 

If you freeze a lot of produce or meat, or make dehydrated snacks, a good vacuum sealer is worth its weight in gold. 

Here are two popular options:

1. FoodSaver V4400 Series 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer – Popular All-Rounder

FoodSaver is practically synonymous with vacuum sealers, and this model is a crowd favorite. 

The “2-in-1” means it not only vacuum-seals the usual bags with an automatic function (just feed the bag in and it does the rest), but it also has a handheld sealer attachment. 

That handheld lets you seal FoodSaver zipper bags, canisters, or even mason jars with an accessory – super useful for versatility. 

The unit has built-in roll storage and a cutter, making it easy to customize bag sizes. It’s mid-range in price, and frequently chosen by home growers who freeze veggies, fruits, or bulk meat purchases. 

Many homesteaders call this model a reliable workhorse – not too fancy, but gets the job done every time. If you process a variety of foods, the 2-in-1 functionality is definitely worth checking out.

2. NutriChef Automatic Vacuum Sealer – Budget-Friendly Sealing

On a tighter budget or just need a simple sealer for occasional use? 

The NutriChef vacuum sealer has become a top pick as a starter unit. It’s a compact, lightweight machine with easy one-touch operation. 

You pop the open end of a bag in, press a button, and it vacuums out the air and seals the bag in seconds. It usually comes as a starter set with a few bags and even a little hose for canisters. 

While it may not have all the bells and whistles of the FoodSaver, it handles the basics well: sealing up dried apple chips or keeping your bulk grains safe from pantry moths. Many home users are pleasantly surprised by the strong suction on this affordable unit (often noted in reviews). 

It also has dry and moist food modes, which is impressive at its price point.

Quick Note: Vacuum sealing can dramatically extend the life of frozen or dehydrated foods (like, 2–3 years for veggies instead of 6–12 months in regular bags). Just keep in mind it doesn’t make fresh food shelf-stable – you still need to freeze, dehydrate, or refrigerate depending on what you’re storing.

High-Quality Storage Jars and Containers

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about storage containers – primarily jars. After you’ve canned, fermented, or dehydrated your bounty, you need good containers to store and enjoy it. 

Here are some top jar options frequently seen in homesteaders’ pantries:

Ball Mason Jars (Wide-Mouth Quart Jars) – Classic and Reliable

You really can’t beat the classic Ball jar. These quart-size jars are the go-to for canning fruits, veggies, sauces – you name it. 

The wide-mouth design makes them easier to fill (and empty), which is especially helpful for chunky recipes or messy ladling. 

Each jar comes with a two-piece metal lid system (a flat lid and a screw band), which is the standard for home canning in the U.S. Just remember to use a new flat lid each time you can for a proper seal. 

Ball jars also pull double duty—many homesteaders use them for pantry staples like dried beans, nuts, and rice, or even to store leftovers in the fridge. 

Plus, if you treat them well, these jars can last a decade or more. It’s hard to beat them for functionality, durability, and price.

Weck Canning Jars – European-Style Premium Jars

If you want to try something a little different (or a little fancier) Weck jars are a great upgrade.

These jars are made in Germany and have a totally reusable sealing system: thick glass jars, glass lids, rubber gaskets, and metal clamps.

No plastic, no disposable lid inserts. They’re especially popular for things like jams, jellies, pickled veggies, and fermented goods. The wide openings make them easy to pack and clean, and the aesthetic is undeniably lovely.

Many folks use Weck jars when gifting preserves, storing herbs, or setting up a pretty pantry shelf.

They do cost more than Ball jars, and the pieces (gaskets and clips) are a little less common in U.S. stores, but they last a long time if you take care of them.

They’re a go-to choice for anyone wanting a more sustainable or elegant option for food storage.

Jar Tip: Always inspect your jars before use, no matter the brand. Look for chips or cracks – especially around the rim – as damage can prevent a good seal or cause breakage during processing. It’s a small habit that can save a whole batch of preserves.

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The best canning and preservation tools don’t have to break the bank; even the budget-friendly items on this list are frequently chosen by home growers and have proven their worth. 

Whether you start with a simple water bath canner or jump into dehydrating and fermenting, remember that every filled jar and dried apple chip is a little victory against food waste and a step toward self-sufficiency.

I hope this roundup helps you find the gear that fits your needs (and your budget). 

Now, go forth and preserve!