Covers are lined in two ways, with the paper gasket and the compound gasket.  The compound gasket is merely a preparation, scarcely visible, applied to the under side of the cover and is not easily damaged by handling.  The paper gasket is a ring placed on the under side of the cover and must be handled carefully.  If the paper gasket becomes broken the cover must be discarded.  To sterilize covers having the paper gasket, place them in the oven for a few minutes, but do not wet them, before sealing cans.  Do not remove or handle paper gaskets.

When the cans are removed from the cooker the ends should be raised; this is caused by the pressure within.  If they are not raised at the ends the cans should be carefully examined for defects.  After the cans are sterilized they should be cooled off in water.  This will cause the ends to collapse.  If they do not collapse the reason is probably due to overfilling.  It must be remembered that peas, beans and corn swell a certain amount after water is placed in the cans; therefore, in canning these vegetables the cans should be filled only to within a quarter of an inch of the top.  If the pressure of the air from without will not cause the end to collapse, it should be forced in by hand.

THE TINNING OUTFIT

Tin-can sealers are made to handle the regular Number 2, or pint cans, and the Number 3, or quart cans.  The sizes are interchangeable, so that in a few minutes’ time a Number 2 machine may be changed into a Number 3 machine with the necessary attachments.  So it is economy to buy a machine with these attachments, as you can then use either pints or quarts as you desire.

If you are selling to boarding houses and hotels you also will want half-gallon and gallon cans.  If you use these larger-size cans and want the sealer you can get it for these sizes, but you must tell exactly what you want when ordering.

The prices which I give are 1919 prices and are of course not stationary.  A sealer that will seal the Number 2 sanitary tin cans costs $14.  A sealer for Number 3 cans will cost the same amount.  But the ideal arrangement is the combination machine which can be used for both the pints, Number 2, and the quarts, Number 3.  This type of sealer costs $16.50.  A special machine is used for sealing the Number 10 or gallon cans, and its price is $35.

The price of the “winter can opener” is $17.00 for smaller size and $19.50 for the larger one.

Several standard sizes of tin cans are in common use for canning purposes, as follows: 

DIAMETER OF
NUMBER                SIZE                    OPENING
INCHES                   INCHES
1                  2-5/8 by 4            2-1/16
2                 3-5/16 by 4-9/16       2-1/16 or 2-7/16
3                  4-1/8 by 4-7/8        2-1/16 or 2-7/16
10                6/3/16 by 6-7/8        2-1/16 or 2-7/16

The cans are put up in crates holding 100 or 500 cans.  If you are canning for the ordinary market use Number 2 cans for berries, corn, peas and cherries; Number 3 cans for tomatoes, peaches, apples, pears and sweet potatoes.