Can You Use a Microwave Pressure Cooker to Sterilize
- 1 What is microwave canning?
- ii Summary of what role a microwave tin can play in home canning
- 3 What the proponents say
- 4 Official recommendations confronting microwave canning
- five Official recommendations against microwave force per unit area canning
- 6 Using a microwave for prep work in home canning
- half dozen.one Blanching
- seven The Micro-Dome food preserver 1987 to 1991
- eight Farther reading
What is microwave canning?
Microwave canning can exist one of two things:
- attempting to process filled jars by cooking them in a microwave; or
- attempting to "force per unit area-process" the jars past placing them inside a plastic microwave pressure level cooker and and so using that inside the microwave. One purpose-made device for this was called the "Micro-Dome Food Preserver."
Microwave canning volition occasionally ingather up on the Net as something "new" and "revolutionary", but it is not. This "revolution" is ancient history: the method has been thoroughly discredited.
In Canada, the province of Alberta already pronounced information technology "out" by 1981: "Microwave canning is out because all the jars are not heated evenly; metal lids cannot be used in this type of oven and containers with vacuum seals will explode." [1] Press Release. Alberta Ministry of Agriculture, Communications Sectionalisation. 27 July 1981. Accessed June 2022 at https://archive.org/stream/agrinews00albe_14/agrinews00albe_14_djvu.txt
Home canning regime take been recommending against it since at least 1994:
The Brawl Corp., which has supplied jars, lids and communication to dwelling canners for generations, puts the warning in upper-case letter letters: DO Not Attempt TO Process IN MICROWAVE OVEN." [2] Microwave Oven Speeds Progress Of Pickles. August 25, 1994|By Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Accessed March 2022 at https://manufactures.chicagotribune.com/1994-08-25/entertainment/9408250274_1_lids-boiling-mustard-seed
The book, And then Like shooting fish in a barrel to Preserve, says, "The microwave… cannot be used instead of a boiling h2o bath or pressure canner for processing." [3] Andress, Elizabeth L. and Judy A. Harrison. So Piece of cake to Preserve. Academy of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Bulletin 989. 6th Edition. 2014. Page 15.
Summary of what role a microwave can play in home canning
- Practise not use a microwave for sterilizing jars;
- Do not use a microwave instead of water-bath processing;
- Practice not use a microwave instead of proper pressure level-canning in an actual pressure canner;
- Practice non use a microwave for whatsoever kind of canning;
- You may use a microwave every bit part of food prep to go things ready for canning.
Microwave ovens are notorious for heating nutrient unevenly. That'due south why manufacturers introduced carousels, in an effort to help. Still, even with that, any good cook knows that when making sauces, casseroles, etc in a microwave you still have to terminate and stir the food several times for proper fifty-fifty cooking.
Metal lids can reflect microwaves away, making the uneven heating even worse: "Metal lids reflect microwaves, and the food may non be safely and uniformly heated." [4] Microwave Oven Speeds Progress Of Pickles. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 25 August 1994. Accessed March 2022 at https://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-08-25/entertainment/9408250274_1_lids-humid-mustard-seed
If despite all the warnings from experts (see below), you microwave can something, and give it to someone, and they get very sick, what kind of liability does that open up you to? For that reason, you'd never be able to gift or contribute without worry whatsoever of your homemade canned creations.
What the proponents say
A popular book on the topic of microwave canning is "5-infinitesimal microwave canning" past Isabel Webb.
It promises simple processing, involving only:
- wash jars and putting food in;
- set apartment metal lids on meridian of jars simply do not fasten the flat lids down with a ring band or clips;
- zap the jars and their lids in the microwave for various periods of time;
- remove from microwave with oven mitts, remove apartment metal lid, debubble, wipe jars, top upwardly jars with liquid if needed, supersede flat metal lid and secure that hat firmly with either a screw band canning ring or clips until the lid seals onto the jar.
Microwave canners say not to worry well-nigh the metal lids in the microwave: "When food is in the jar, and the chapeau does not touch on the oven, information technology will not arc." [5] Ensing, Hendrik. Microwave Preserves. Accessed March 2022 at https://www.providentliving.org.nz/microwave-oven-bottling-and-preserving/
They say just make certain as well the jars as a few inches away from each other or y'all could get arcing amid the jars, besides.
Official recommendations confronting microwave canning
Oregon Extension says,
When preserving past canning, we need a high constant temperature for a given menstruum of time to destroy microorganisms. The microwave does not provide either constant temperature or high enough temperatures to safely preserve nutrient." [6] Preserving food with help from your microwave. Oregon Land University Extension Service. SP 50-538 Reprinted March 2013. Accessed March 2022 at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/documents/sp_50_538_preservingfoodwithmicrowave.pdf
Bernardin says,
Potentially unsafe devices have been marketed for canning food in a microwave oven. These devices have not been shown to destroy all bacteria present in the food nor do they heat uniformly. Bug may also occur with food siphoning out of the jars and chapeau failures. Do non use these devices to can food at home." [7] Bernardin FAQs. Accessed June 2022 at https://www.bernardin.ca/pages/faq/33.php#xi
Michigan State Extension says,
Different microwave ovens have dissimilar heating properties and information technology makes it difficult to set standards for controlling internal temperatures of any canned production." [8] Accessed June 2022 at https://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/downright_unsafe_canning_methods.
Putting Food By says,
Quite early in the marketing of microwave ovens to the general public, i maker touted his product as able to can fruits. In very short order the manufacturer discontinued such a claim for his oven. Now all responsible makers of microwave ovens warn against using them for canning." [9] Hertzberg, Ruth; Greene, Janet; Vaughan, Beatrice (2010-05-25). Putting Food By: Fifth Edition (p. 61). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Panasonic says in all their microwave manuals, right at the front:
DO Non apply your oven for home canning. Your oven cannot maintain the food at the proper canning temperature. The food may be contaminated and and then spoil." [10] Panasonic NN-SD797S Manual. 2007. Accessed June 2022 at https://world wide web.manualslib.com/transmission/793236/Panasonic-Nn-Sd797s.html
Here is 1989 commodity recommending against microwave canning (click to enlarge to read).
1989 article recommending already against microwave canning (Click to enlarge)
Official recommendations confronting microwave force per unit area canning
In that location are have been a few devices that people have tried using for pressure canning in a microwave. One such device was the Micro-Dome Food Preserver.
Even so, pressure canning in a microwave has been deemed to produce dangerous results.
Penn Land Extension says,
They [microwave pressure cookers] are safe to utilize for simple cooking of foods. However, they should not exist used for canning low acid foods because the actual pressure inside the cooker cannot be monitored. There is, therefore, the danger of underprocessing. Microwave canner – Not Recommended!" [11] Penn State Extension. Microwave Pressure Cookers: Are pressure cookers designed to be used in the microwave rubber to utilize for canning foods? . Accessed January 2022 at https://extension.psu.edu/nutrient/preservation/faq/microwave-pressure level-cookers
Academy of Minnesota Extension says,
Devices for canning nutrient in microwave ovens are non recommended considering of incomplete devastation of leaner due to not-uniform heating." [12] Schafer, William. Canning Nuts 2: Ensuring Rubber Canned Foods. University of Minnesota Extension. 2012. Accessed March 2022 at https://www.extension.umn.edu/food/food-condom/preserving/canning/canning-basics-2/
The USDA says,
Can a microwave oven be used for home canning? – Practise not use the microwave for home canning or sterilizing jars. Use a water-bathroom or pressure canner, and approved canning jars and lids. At once, 'canners' were developed for utilize in the microwave; however these did not produce a rubber production and are no longer manufactured." [13] Microwave Ovens and Nutrient Safe. USDA August 2013. Accessed March 2022 at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/fsis-content/net/main/topics/nutrient-prophylactic-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/appliances-and-thermometers/microwave-ovens-and-nutrient-safe/ct_index#16
Using a microwave for prep work in domicile canning
None of the higher up is to say that you tin can't utilise the microwave every bit office of the prep for a canning recipe for some chores. If a recipe calls for a boutonniere garni of pickling spice to be boiled in vinegar for 5 minutes, that could certainly exist done in a glass jug in the microwave.
Oregon Country Extension points out,
The microwave can, however, be used in the preparation of food for canning such as: cooking apples for making absurdity, heating syrups used in canning fruits, and precooking fruits and vegetables when canning using the hot pack method." [14] Preserving food with aid from your microwave. Oregon State University Extension Service. SP 50-538 Reprinted March 2013. Accessed March 2022 at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/documents/sp_50_538_preservingfoodwithmicrowave.pdf
The authors of 'And then Easy to Preserve' say, "… the microwave can be used to estrus canning and pickling liquids…." [15] Andress, Elizabeth L. and Judy A. Harrison. So Like shooting fish in a barrel to Preserve. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Bulletin 989. Sixth Edition. 2014. Page 16.
Some recipes illustrating how a microwave can be used to melt some jams, pickles and relishes prior to canning are in: Preserving food with help from your microwave. Oregon State University Extension Service. SP l-538 Reprinted March 2013.
Blanching
A microwave oven can be used for blanching, though, it's not optimal:
The microwave can exist used with limited success for blanching…. Timing is very important. Overcooking causes the vegetables to get mushy and tough. Too picayune cooking will not adequately destroy the enzymes.. it is important to [blanch] only small batches at a fourth dimension (not more than than 1 pound / 500g)." [sixteen] Preserving food with help from your microwave. Oregon State University Extension Service. SP 50-538 Reprinted March 2013. Accessed March 2022 at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/documents/sp_50_538_preservingfoodwithmicrowave.pdf
Putting Nutrient By gives more comprehensive directions:
Microwave-oven blanching. Each make or model comes with particular directions for its use, so practice read the directions that came with your oven. A dominion of pollex would be, yet: (one) of course employ only an appropriate vessel to concord the food in the oven; (two) blanch only in 1-pound (500 g) batches, with very picayune water; (3) rearrange the food once during the blanching process; and (four) depending on the density of the food'south tissues, blanch for 2½ to 6 minutes. If the food is to be frozen, douse it immediately in water ice water to end the cooking action and to chill information technology; pat it dry out; package and freeze." [17] Hertzberg, Ruth; Greene, Janet; Vaughan, Beatrice (2010-05-25). Putting Nutrient Past: Fifth Edition (pp. 36-37). Penguin Publishing Grouping. Kindle Edition.
The Micro-Dome food preserver 1987 to 1991
The Micro-Dome food preserver was a plastic device meant for pressure canning in the microwave. Meant for minor-batch canning, it could do one jar at a fourth dimension:
Micro-Dome is a plastic, pressurized container used to can foods in the microwave. The foods, such as pears, are put in a regular, pint-size Mason-type canning jar, which is screwed tight and placed in the plastic container with a petty water. The whole container goes into the microwave oven, and when the Micro-Dome chirps about v to viii minutes later on, the pears are processed. To keep the jar from cracking, it is cooled in tap water for an boosted 6 to viii minutes… [18] Tennison, Patricia. Micro-dome Tin Take The Pressure Off Canning In Pocket-sized Quantities. Chicago: Chicago Tribune. sixteen Feb 1989. Accessed March 2022 at https://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-02-16/entertainment/8903060096_1_pears-micro-dome-pint-size-stonemason-blazon-canning-jar
The patent and patent diagram for it is online.
Information technology came on the market in August 1987:
Micro-Dome was invented by Ray Camezon, a mechanical engineer from San Ramon, Calif., who for years has been creating such useful products as peach pitters for the canning manufacture. It is the first and sole line of Micro-Dome Corp. and sells for about $45 at Marshall Field's, specialty stores such as Chef's Itemize and Cook's Cupboard and through catalogues, including Colonial Garden Kitchen and Spiegel." [19] Tennison, Patricia. Micro-dome Can Have The Force per unit area Off Canning In Modest Quantities. Chicago: Chicago Tribune. 16 Feb 1989. Accessed March 2022 at https://manufactures.chicagotribune.com/1989-02-16/entertainment/8903060096_1_pears-micro-dome-pint-size-mason-type-canning-jar
However, by August 1988, questions were already being raised about the safety:
A new plastic microwave pressure canner, just 7 ½ inches high, has been introduced to the Atlanta market place….. However, serious condom questions near the Micro-Dome Microwave Food Preserver remain, and Georgia's Cooperative Extension agents have been told not to recommend the product until they can be assured of its rubber. The Micro-Dome was invented by Raymond Camezon of San Ramon, Calif. who says, 'Information technology is the first improvement in food preservation since the advent of the Bricklayer jar, which made home canning possible.'
The new device is made of a special plastic invented past Full general Electric that tin can withstand the necessary temperatures and pressures of canning. The unit is designed for preserving food in a wide-mouth pint or half-pint canning jar. (Narrow-mouth jars are too tall: a quart-size model is scheduled to exist introduced adjacent jump.) The cook screws on the jar lid and places the jar in the canner. H2o is added around the jar until the unit is filled. The lid of the canner is twisted on tightly. Then a metal temperature regulator is set on top, with a setting for five pounds of force per unit area for high-acid foods such as fruits and tomatoes, and 30 pounds [Ed: sic] of pressure for low-acid foods such as meats and vegetables. (The metallic on the temperature regular and canning lids is shielded from the sides of the oven by the plastic device and does not cause arcing. A plastic whistle cap goes over the temperature regulator.
The cook sets the microwave oven for 10 minutes at high power. Normally within six to eight minutes, the Micro-Dome begins whistling loudly, indicating that the proper pressure has been reached. Just one jar can exist processed at a time, only Micro-Dome salesmen recommend buying two units, at a suggested price of $49.95 each, and so one unit can be heating and the other cooling in a continuous bicycle, turning out sealed jars every six to eight minutes.
Preliminary research on an early model of the Micro-Dome showed serious bacteriological bug, and inquiry on the current model is still under way. The answers to safety questions are not in nevertheless.
The early version of the Micro-Dome was used by extension food technologists at the University of California at Davis on and off from 1980 to 1985. The scientists checked how thoroughly and evenly the nutrient was heated in the canning jar. They found that heat penetration was more than than adequate for loose foods such as peas in brine, simply for dense, meaty foods such as tuna, cold spots remained. And then the researchers inoculated jars of food with bacteria and processed them in the early Micro-Dome. These products nonetheless developed bacterial spoilage. The organisms had not been destroyed.
New inquiry is beingness conducted on the current model of the Micro-Dome past an independent laboratory in California with vast experience in canning technology, withal the studies are not nonetheless finished." [20] Weir, Nancy. More testing needed on microwave canner. Hendersonville, Due north Carolina: The Times News. 24 August 1988.
By 1991, the device was under recall from the market place. At that place were several issues, both operational and food safe wise:
In cooperation with Micro-Dome of San Ramon, Calif., the U.Due south. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers of sure safety hazards associated with the use of the 'Micro-Dome Nutrient Preserver' manufactured past Micro-Dome and sold and distributed to consumers after August 1987.
Consumers are urged to destroy all food preserved using a Micro-Dome Food Preserver, and to call one-806-736-2320 for instructions on how to receive a $50 rebate for returning the preserver … Generally priced at $fifty, approximately 18,000 were sold….
CPSC has been informed that the tiptop of the plastic container may accident off in the microwave if the vent stalk or prophylactic release becomes plugged. The pressurized plastic container may also explode, after removal from the microwave or if the container is hit or dropped.
The container may crack and/or develop lines (called crazing) which could increment the explosion risk. Explosion of the pressurized container containing hot water and food could cause severe injuries such equally blindness and bums from flying fragments and liquids. 20 nine incidents involving groovy and/or crazing of the container, eight incidents of the top blowing off and four incidents of the vent existence plugged without the accident plug releasing accept been reported. One injury involved a user who sustained small burns when the container chapeau blew off. CPSC recommends that consumers not use the Micro-Dome Food Preserver. Information technology should be returned to the visitor for rebate or destroyed and tending of in such a fashion that it cannot be used in the future.
There is besides concern about food poisoning in certain foods prepared using the Micro-Dome Microwave Nutrient Preserver. At that place have been no reports of poisoning but there is business organisation that the product and its accompanying recipe and instruction booklet practise not ensure adequately the safety of sure canned foods. [21] Micro-Dome food preserver recalled. In: Chaff and Chatter cavalcade. Carroll Canton Comet. Wednesday, 18 Dec 1991. Page 6A.
Y'all tin can however find Micro-Domes existence sold 2d-mitt on places such as eBay, etc. Do be aware that these devices were subject to a safety retrieve decades ago.
Further reading
Preserving Food with Assist from Your Microwave. Oregon State Extension. SP fifty-538. March 2013.
Source: https://www.healthycanning.com/microwave-canning/
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