Guide
Prepare Tomatoes, Apples, and Berries for Preserving
Can a food strainer make tomato sauce or applesauce safer to can?
No. A food strainer prepares produce by separating skins, seeds, and pulp; canning safety still depends on following a current tested recipe for the exact food, including acidification, jar size, headspace, and processing method.
Good preservation starts with sound, clean produce and a tested recipe. Sort out damaged or decayed pieces, wash produce under running water, and prepare it just before processing for the best quality.
Use a food strainer for preparation—not safety processing
A hand-crank food strainer can separate seeds, skins, and pulp from tomatoes, apples, berries, pumpkin, and similar produce for sauces and purées. It can make preparation faster, but it does not determine whether a food can be safely canned. Follow a tested recipe for acidification, jar size, headspace, and processing method after straining.
Match the screen and recipe to the food
Choose a screen appropriate to the produce and texture you want, then use the yield and preparation method in the tested recipe. Do not thicken, reduce, or alter a sauce unless the recipe includes that exact step.