canned carrots

[tynme]

I canned 7 jars of carrots tonight, and used my pressure cooker for the first time. It's also my first time canning carrots. I packed the carrots, filled the jars with boiling water (until about an inch from the top) and once the guage started moving, I cooked them for 30 minutes. I just took the lid off, and noticed that alot of water escaped out of the jars. Is this normal? One jar is now only about half full of water, and there are some that are still almost all the way full. Is this normal?

[birthgreeter]

yes, that can happen. The process of allowing the time where the air escapes the can and the jars (before you put on the pressure regulator-if you have that kind of caner) is when this can happen. can be caused from the food being packed too tight in the jars. Make sure that the water in the caner covers the jars completely, and you remove any air bubbles in the jars before beginning. also if you pack the food 'cold' and not heat up the foods, that can cause it too. I always do 'cold pack' so know that I may loose some fluids from the jars. Be careful that the pressure stays as close to the same as possible (I call it the cruise control method...) and always when pressure canning anything, allow the pressure to drop to zero on its own, do not try to hurry it. then give it a few minutes before opening the lid, this is also the safest way to pressure can, but best for the actual process also.
Are the jars sealed? (love hearing those 'pop' sounds as the seal!) they will be fine. As you use them, just check them before you use them, as you would anyway.

[tynme]

Thanks! I'm glad to know my carrots will be fine!! I did cold pack them, and filled them with boiling water. Everything I've read has said to not fill the pressure cooker with water, at the max it should be 2/3 full? I tried to remove the air bubbles, but there was about 1/2 an inch, if that, with air, because the directions said not to fill the jars all the way? Yup, the jars are sealed tight...

[birthgreeter]

yes, that is right about the amount of liquid in the jars,. prob happened from cold packing even though you added boiling water. I do that too, and usually loose some water from the jars.

always make sure that the jars inside the caner are covered with water. about 1/2 to 1 inch of water covering them before beginning the canning process.
I am canning cucs today, and green beans, before I have any births coming up!!! It is so different for me this year. It is the first year that it is back to me and my husband only...all our babies are grown and married or at least out of the house now! I can cut back on canning, but prob wont! hard to change!