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How to Adjust for Altitude When Canning

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My canning friends, sometimes we have to look at our situations and say to ourselves, “I need an altitude adjustment.”

It’s all science, like so much of canning is.

At sea level, and up to 1000 feet above sea level, water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, once you get above the 1000 foot mark, the changes in atmospheric pressure means that your boiling point is actually LOWER than 212F.

Altitude

Temperature at which Water Boils

10,000

194°F

8,000

197°F

6,000

201°F

4,000

204°F

2,000

208°F

0
(Sea Level)

212°F

For water bath canning, food safety requirements mean that the goodies inside your jars should reach 212F, and if it doesn’t you have to add to your processing time in order to make your preserved food safe.

For water bath canning, add 2 minutes of processing time for each 1000 feet about 1000 feet that you are.  To use the following chart, take the basic processing time and add to it based on your local elevation.

Altitude Adjustments for Water Bath Canning

Elevation

+ time

1000-2999

5 minutes

3000-5999

10 minutes

6000-7999

15 minutes

8000-10,000

20 minutes

Pressure canning requires that your food reach 240 degrees Fahrenheit.  Additional pressure is needed in this case, as opposed to additional time.  The standard rule is to add 1 pound of pressure for each 1000 feet above sea level you are.  However, you will rarely ever adjust more than 5 pounds, regardless of your elevation.

For safety reasons, pressure canners should never be used above 17 pounds of pressure.

Adjustments for Pressure Canning

Altitude

Additional Pressure

1001-2000

+ 1

2001-4000

+ 3

4001-6000

+5

6001-8000

+5

8000-10,000

+5

Resources for Canning:

canning closet [2]

How to Pressure Can Food [3]

Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker [4]

Presto 1755 16-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker/Canner [5] (Safe for glass cooktops)

Presto Cooking/Canning Rack for Pressure Canner [6]

How to Can Food in a Boiling Water Bath [7]

Granite Ware 0707-1 Steel/Porcelain Water-Bath Canner with Rack, 21.5-Quart, Black [8]

Norpro Canning Rack [9]

Norpro 600 Jar Lifter [10]

Norpro Stainless Steel Wide-Mouth Funnel [11]

Norpro 6 Piece Canning Set [12]

How to Sanitize Jars for Canning [13]

How to Adjust for Altitude When Canning [14]

BallRegular Mouth Lids and Bands – 12 pack [15]

Canning Jars [16]

Tattler Reusable Regular Canning Lids and Rubber Rings, BPA Free, Dishwasher Safe (Pack of 12)

Tattler Reusable Wide Mouth Canning Lids & Rubber Rings – 12/pkg [17]

Ball Regular Canning Lids 96 Lids (8 Dozen) NOW BPA Free [18]

Ball Wide Canning Lids 72 Lids (6 Dozen), SALE! (Lids Only; No Rings), NOW BPA FREE! Shipped and Packed Bulk by Mulberry Lane Farm, FAST SHIP! [19]

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