Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit vs Granite Ware Water Bath Canner with rack
Buy the Granite Ware 0707-1 if you need the actual canning pot: it is a 21.5-quart porcelain-on-steel water bath canner with a jar rack and lid, holds 7 quart jars, and its lowest recorded price was $29.66 on November 1, against a high of $59.11 on November 2. Buy the Ball starter kit if you already own a large pot and mainly need the tools: tongs, jar lifter, magnetic lid lifter, wide-mouth funnel, jar wrench and bubble popper. Neither listing is a complete canning setup on its own, and the two together cover pot and tools.
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Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit
Choose the Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit if you have a stockpot deep enough to cover jars and want the six handling tools in one box.
- Covers the tools beginners usually forget: jar lifter, lid lifter, funnel, wrench, bubble popper and tongs
- Vinyl-coated handles help keep sterilized parts sanitary
- Packs into one box for storage
- Useful for dehydrating as well as canning
- No pot, rack or lid included
- No jar capacity of its own
- Tool quality is basic; long tongs are the heaviest item
- Price not stated in this listing
What separates them
| Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit | Granite Ware Water Bath Canner with rack | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Six canning tools, no pot | 21.5-quart canner, jar rack and lid |
| Jar capacity | Not stated; tools only | 7 quart, 9 pint or 12 half-pint jars |
| Material | Tools with vinyl-coated handles | Porcelain enamel over a steel core |
| Heat tolerance | Not stated | Rated to 932°F |
| Cooktop fit | Not applicable | Not recommended for glass cooktops |
| Cleaning | Hand wash the coated tools | Canner and lid are dishwasher safe |
| Weight and size | Small hand tools | About 4 lb, 15 in tall |
Price history
- Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit: lowest $18.98 on Nov 2 at RASA Garden Supply Company.
- Granite Ware Water Bath Canner with rack: lowest $29.66 on Nov 1 at Walmart; $59.11 on Nov 2.
Prices at every store
Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit
- RASA Garden Supply CompanyCheck price at RASA Garden Supply Company
Granite Ware Water Bath Canner with rack
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Ellington AgwayCheck price at Ellington Agway
Specs compared
| Spec | Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit | Granite Ware Water Bath Canner with rack |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Glass | Porcelain |
| Set | Yes | — |
| Count | 6 pieces | — |
| Color | — | Black |
| Capacity | — | 21 Quarts |
| Finish type | — | Painted |
| Model Number | — | 0707-1 |
| Product Dimensions | — | 40.64 x 35.56 x 25.4 cm; 2.04 kg |
| Item Weight | — | 2.04 Kilograms |
| Heat resistance | — | 932°F |
| Jar capacity |
What reviewers say
Ball Water Bath Canning Starter Kit
Owners of similar Norpro canning tool sets generally find them adequate for starting out, with the jar lifter and magnetic lid lifter getting the most use. Complaints tend to focus on thin metal and coating wear after a few seasons.
- Covers the essentials for a first canning season
- Jar lifter grips hot jars securely
- Magnetic lid lifter is genuinely useful
- Good value versus buying tools one at a time
- Tools feel light compared with older canning gear
- Vinyl coating wears or peels over time
- Funnel and wrench can be tight on some jar brands
Granite Ware Water Bath Canner with rack
Owners of this style of Granite Ware canner generally report it does the basic job well and heats quickly, and many have used theirs for years. The most common complaints are chipped enamel and the glass-cooktop warning.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a total beginner?
- The Granite Ware, because it is the pot you actually process jars in. The Ball kit only supplies tools, so a beginner still needs a deep pot, a rack and a lid.
- Do I need both?
- Often yes. The Granite Ware gives you the canner and rack; the Ball kit gives you the jar lifter, lid lifter, funnel, wrench and bubble popper that the canner does not include.
- Which holds more jars?
- The Granite Ware, at 7 quart, 9 pint or 12 half-pint jars. The Ball kit holds no jars; it is tools only.
- Is the Granite Ware worth the extra over its low price?
- At its $29.66 low it is a clear buy for a first canner. At the $59.11 high you are paying about double, so check the current price before ordering.
- Can I use the Granite Ware on a glass cooktop?
- The maker says no, because some glass cooktops do not generate enough heat for it and the pot can damage the surface. Use a gas or coil electric burner.
- Does the Ball kit include jars?
- No. It is six tools in a box, with no jars, pot or rack.
