The sterilization of canned food is a preservation technique where food is subjected to high temperatures for a certain period of time to destroy all microorganisms that inhabit it, both pathogens (those that can cause human disease) and non-pathogens.

The purpose of sterilization of food packed in hermetic containers is the destruction of all bacteria, including their spores, without significantly altering the organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of the original food product, making the food safe for human consumption and at the same time extending its shelf life.

Types of autoclave for canning

Domestic canning with pressure cookers

We can make preserves at home using bain-marie or a pressure canner, but in order to make them safe for later human consumption it is advisable to follow a series of steps rigorously.

Glass jars are the most appropriate container for making home preserves, they must be previously washed in the dishwasher at high temperature, dried completely and filled with food while still hot to avoid thermal shock and leaving a small free space at the top to allow adequate expansion of the product during sterilization.

Then, without leaving bubbles and without dirtying the rim of the jars, they should be closed and placed in a pot with enough water to cover them and bring them to boiling for a minimum of 12 minutes, depending on the specific product used. It is advisable to use a rack to avoid direct contact of the jars with the bottom of the equipment. After the boiling time, it is advisable to wait about 5 or 10 minutes to remove them from the pot and they should be allowed to cool to room temperature while maintaining their vertical position for 8 to 12 hours and they will be ready for consumption at home.

There is also a wide variety of large-capacity household sterilizers or electric pots on the market, from 1 to 20 liters, with various functions and multiple accessories. With these equipments you will be able to prepare homemade preserves by manually programming the time and temperature.

Automatic autoclaves for canning

On the other hand, if what you want to do is make preserves in a traditional way with the ability to market them you should definitely use a professional automatic autoclave for canning.

Professional food autoclaves or canning sterilizers are hermetic equipment created to sterilize food packed in glass, metal or semi-rigid containers by subjecting them to high pressure and at temperatures above 100ºC for a certain time.

To guarantee food safety and compliance with health and hygiene regulations, artisan preserves producers must have an autoclave.

Industrial autoclaves for canning

For large productions, there are autoclaves for food and ready meals adapted for industrial processes. Of modular constructions and adaptable to the volume and capacity of each production, industrial autoclaves are very large and work with mixture of steam, water and air. They can be programmed according to the required process and can reach up to 140ºC.

Autoclaves for canning for small artisan producers

Dedicating yourself to canning in a professional way means giving up certain habits typical of manual work. Producing a preserve to be sold to third parties requires rigor.

Gone is the cumbersome task of boiling the containers to be used, at least for 15 minutes, and their subsequent drying. We must also forget about cooking the jars in a pot (face up or face down) filled, closed and covered with water. Always waiting and with crossed fingers so that every pot has been properly vacuum sealed.

When we turn canning into our business, we can no longer afford all this, we cannot trust in luck that our jars are in perfect safe conditions. Clearly, it would be fatal for our company if our products were not in optimal conditions. Quality and food safety must be a priority.

Get professional, get an autoclave for canning

Whether you are a small producer or a microcompany dedicated to the preparation of preserves, your mission already requires professionalization. That is why in workshops it is essential to have an autoclave for canning to comply with current regulations on food safety and hygiene.

Currently on the market there are many different autoclaves for canning models. It is crucial that when choosing one or the other you take into account:

Why should I buy an autoclave for canning?

Buying an autoclave will never be an expense. On the contrary, it is an investment, both in the short, medium and long term. And it is because it supposes:

Huge time savings

We must not forget that time is money. The autoclave facilitates the task of sterilizing the containers in large volumes, as well as their subsequent preservation. This means less dedication and, therefore, more time available for other tasks.

Perfect preservation of the products

Thanks to its high temperatures, the sterilizer inactivates all bacteria, spores and other microorganisms, guaranteeing that the food will last longer, preserving the organoleptic properties and minimizing possible changes in the nutritional characteristics of the final product.

Versatility

These type of equipment are offered with different chamber sizes and they are compatible with different types of food containers.

Requirements of an autoclave used for an artisanal production of preserves

Not all autoclaves for canning are suitable for an artisanal production, it is very important that they comply with food legislation and that they ensure the quality of your preserves and ready meals. That is why we recommend that you purchase an autoclave, we advise you to take into account the following characteristics when purchasing your autoclave for canning:

It must be manufactured according to the European Union standards (CE certification) or following similar official regulatory bodies standards such as United States of America standards (ASME certification).
It must have a flexible temperature probe that calculates the sterilization or pasteurization values (Fo and Po) applied to a product sample, in order to correctly control the entire process and to be able to professionalize our production process.
Includes pressure support and fast cooling, to avoid possible deformation of the containers and minimize overcooking of your product.
Be optimal to operate in all types of containers such as cans, glass jars, semirigid trays or pouches. And also for all kinds of food products.
Have an available technical service that can help you when you need it and can offer you a maintenance plan. An autoclave is like a car, it wears out with use, and therefore, over the years, periodic maintenance tasks must be carried out.
The autoclave should have a reputable and specialized manufacturer behind. Continuing with the example of cars, a Chinese car is not the same as an European manufacturer, in terms of quality and especially in durability.
Have the appropriate security measures, such as a safety valve and thermostat, a door locking system and an open door alarm, pressure and water level detectors, thermal protection around the lid and a protective chassis that covers the sterilization chamber.

TERRA Food-Tech® autoclaves for canning

TERRA Food-Tech^® autoclaves for canning are designed for cooking, sterilization and pasteurization of all types of food packaged in cans, glass, pouches and semi-rigid containers. They are the product of the evolution of the RAYPA brand, with more than 40 years of experience in the manufacture of autoclaves. They are compact autoclaves developed to meet the demand of small producers of gourmet canned food and to facilitate development tests and quality control in the food industry.

Technical characteristics of TERRA Food-Tech® autoclaves

Vertical floor-standing or benchtop autoclaves with capacities from 21 to 175 liters.
They respect the organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of the final product.
They guarantee compliance with the legislation on Safety and Hygiene for canned packaged foods within the European Union.
Suitable for all types of packaging: cans, glass jars, semi-rigid trays, bags or pouches. You can see the different types of autoclavable containers on our Blog.
Very simple installation, it is only necessary to have 1 water inlet, 1 drainage connection and 1 electrical connection.
Easy to use, with a color touchscreen and the capacity to store up to 50 different programs, to save the values for the elaboration of up to 50 different products.
Fast cooling by water shower at the end of the cycle.
Programmable pressure support and refrigeration to avoid breakage or deformation of containers.
Safety measures: safety valve and thermostat, door locking system and open door alarm, pressure and water level detectors, thermal protection around the lid and protective chassis of the sterilization chamber.
Multiple accessories for all types of projects: crane for lifting heavy loads, customizable stainless steel trays and baskets, perforation kits for lids and semi-rigid containers ...

In addition, the purchase of a TERRA Food-Tech^® autoclave includes a Food consultancy service and professional accompaniment, we provide you with free technical and food advice during the first 3 months. Likewise, to estimate the viability and performance of your project, at TERRA Food-Tech^® we offer a free online calculator to calculate the productive capacity per cycle, that is, the number of containers that can be sterilized depending on the type of container and the autoclave model.

If you are a small artisan producer or a micro-entrepreneur who wants to make your own gourmet preserves or ready meals, do not hesitate to contact our sales team for more information or to find out the autoclave that best suits your business, we will be happy to help you.

The key aspects to consider before choosing your autoclave for canning