Every canning company requires supplies for canning machines. These supplies are items that are needed to use canning equipment effectively. Supplies like cans and lids are required for the basic work load. Other food can supplies are required by the FDA for all food products, such as proper labeling and expiration dates. Whether you are starting a canning company or managing an existing company, supplies of canning machines are a vital part of keeping the company running.

There are three major supplies for canning machines that all companies need: cans and jars, expiration date stampers and labels. Cans and jars are available in bulk in a variety of sizes and shapes. These are normally made of tin-covered steel. Stampers and marking machines place the expiration date on each can in a professional-looking manner. Labels are used to identify the item in the can and to convey nutritional information about the product. Review the list below and start purchasing the canning machine supplies your company needs.

1. Locate cans for commercial canning machines

2. Find expiration date stamping equipment for canning machines.

3. Print labels to work with food canning machines.

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Buy jars and cans for canning machines

Jars and cans are the most important supply for a food canning machine. Cans and jars come in all sizes to fit your company's product. Food canning equipment is designed to be adjusted to fit different sized cans and jars.

I recommend: Locate two and three part metal cans at Ball. Shetron Group carries supplies for canning machines. Visit Freund Container for all types of metal food containers and cans.

Locate expiration date stampers for canning machinery

Expiration dates are required for all food products. Industrial canning machines can produce more products than a person can hand-stamp. These stampers or marking machines can stamp the date on the can and keep the process moving quickly.

I recommend: Locate machinery that will stamp the expiration date and work with tin can canning machines at Monode Marking Products. JanTech Marking Equipment has manual, semi-manual and fully automated stamping machines for commercial canning equipment. Etch the date in the top of the can with a laser marking machine from RMI Laser.

Buy labels for the canning machine

Labels are one of the most important supplies for canning machines. Labels hold information about the product and company. Product labels vary in size by can or jar. Be sure to check the can size before ordering labels.

I recommend: Custom-design your food can labels at Consolidated Label. Visit the Western Shield Label Company to find high-quality printed food labels. Valley Forge Tape & Label has printing capabilities to print large quantities of can food labels fast and with premium quality.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When designing your food product label for canning machinery, consult the FDA for instructions and information that must be placed on the label.

Canning as a way to preserve food was invented by Napoleon in the early 19th century, as a way to feed his soldiers. The first food canned in the United States was Maine lobster in the mid 19th Century. By the turn of the 20th Century, commercial canning was a thriving industry throughout the country. Today, canning remains one of the easiest and cheapest ways to preserve food. Along with commercial canning, there has been a resurgence in home canning, as more and more people look to grow and preserve their own foods.

For businesses looking to expand their food lines, there are many food canning equipment available, for both high and low volume production. Many canning machines are computer operated, while other require 1 or 2 workers. Canning machinery includes:

1. Seamers

2. Fillers

3. Labelers

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Put a lid on it with the right canning equipment for your business

A tin can full of soup may look simple enough, but a lot of work and technology went into making it. Because there is a wide variety of commercial canning equipment available, from can seamers and can closing machines, to fillers, labelers and packers, it is important to first identify your business' needs. The filling machine you choose will depend on what type of substance you intend to can. Some fillers are designed for low-viscosity items, like soda or juice while others are designed for high-viscosity items,like chunky soups and vegetables.

I recommend: The American Equipment Company offers canning machinery for both low- and high-volume needs, for fast, efficient production. They also sell refurbished canners and other used canning equipment with extended warranties and service.

Decrease labor costs with commercial canning equipment

Many canning machines require little employee supervision. Automated computerized systems allow machines to be monitored from the comfort of an office. Other machines require only a few operators. These automated machines will help speed up production and profits, while at the same time save money in payroll.

I recommend: Angelus, a canning machine supplier, provides customer service, technical service, engineering support, spare parts and training for each food canning machine they sell.

Contract out your commercial canning needs

If your business doesn't have the room needed for a full-scale food canning machine, contract out to a company who specializes in food canning and other packaging needs. These companies can do everything including filling, canning and packaging.

I recommend: Springway offers food canning production, from start to finish. They can fill, seal, label and pack canned products, saving businesses time and money.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing commercial canning equipment, don't forget about your labels. Custom labels will go a long way in helping to market and promote your food business.

A canning machines industry overview tells companies what machinery is needed to properly can food products. Canned foods are a vital part of America's grocery stores. Vegetables, fruits, sauces and soups are only a few items that are canned on a daily basis. Canning machinery is used to speed up the canning process and make producing canned foods more efficient. When your company is looking for canning machines, a canning machines industry overview will allow you to find the machines your company will need.

When a company decides to produce canned products, there are a few canning machines that can help speed up the process. Filler canning machines are machines designed to fill cans and jars with product. Cappers or capping machines seal the product in the can or jar. Auxiliary or machine accessories are machines that are not required, but help speed up the process. Review the list below and start locating canning machinery for your business.

1. Fill the cans or jars with canning machines.

2. Seal the top of the jar or can with canning machinery.

3. Use auxiliary canning equipment to increase productivity.

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Locate canning machines for filling the cans

The most basic canning machine is the filler machine. These machines fill the cans with a pre-set amount of food product. Canning machines dispense food by pound or by cups.

I recommend: Bajaj Process Pack Maschinen has a variety of filling machines to chose from. Locate industrial canning machines for aluminum cans at Embarcadero Home Cannery. The Frain Group carries a variety of used and liquidated canning machines.

Purchase commercial canning machines for capping

Capping food canning equipment are the machines that close the cans or jars. These machines are adjustable to work on many different size jars and cans, to seal the contents inside.

I recommend: Find commercial canning equipment and machinery to seal cans and jars at Right Stuff Equipment. SunTech Automation has a steaming food canning machine that seals cans using steam. Visit National Instrument to find belt cappers for placing caps on jars.

Find commercial canning equipment accessories

Commercial canning equipment accessories are items used to make the canning process run faster. Conveyor belts, label machines and rotary tables are all canning machinery accessories. Auxiliary machines or accessories are normally purchased separately. Most of these machines are adjustable to fit various machine types.

I recommend: Alard Equipment has new and used canning equipment for canning foods. Find a wide variety of can and jar labeling machines and conveyor belts at Busch Machinery. Browse the online catalog at McKenzie Conveyors for canning machinery accessories, including rotary tables and conveyor belts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Canning machinery used for food products should always be used in a sterile environment.

Canning is the process of securely heating and sealing food into jars or cans to preserve it for future consumption. The modern process involves several types of canning machines: fillers, sealers and labelers. Get to know the function of each machine type and the details of different varieties of machines by checking out a few recommended canning machine key terms listed below.

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Finisher, finisher canning machine

Prior to being sent to the filler machine to be put into the cans, the food item goes through a finisher. The finisher canning machine can consist of any variety of attachments that perform necessary tasks to prepare the food for going into the can. Such tasks might be sifting, sorting or cutting.

I recommend: The Frain Group is an expert on canning equipment and explains all about finisher canning equipment.

Exhausting

Exhausting is the mechanical process that removes air from the can before it is sealed. This is accomplished with the use of heat, steam or a vacuum.

I recommend: The flow chart from Bajaj Maschinen tells where exhausting falls in the canning process. For details on types of exhausting techniques and machines, scroll to the bottom of Simplot's canning information page.

Seamer, can seamer

A seamer is the machine that attaches the lid to the can. The difference between an automatic can seamer and a semi-automatic machine is that the semi-automatic requires a person to put the lid on the can prior to the machine creating the seal.

I recommend: To explore the can seamer more in-depth, visit Dixie Canner. Also see Pegasus Food Machinery for history of the can seamer and more information.

Pasteurization

Pasteurization is a process done to canned food that helps prevent the growth of bacteria in the food. Pasteurization does not kill all the growth but slows it to the point of keeping diseases at bay. Heat is the element used to pasteurize the food. The goal of this process is to make food safer.

I recommend: More information on pasteurization and its role in the canning process is found at Dairy Science and Technology.

Retort machine

A retort machine uses steam to accomplish sterilization. These machines use either direct or indirect steam application.

I recommend: Allpax explains the retort process and the differences among retort machines.

Labeling machine

Labeling machines apply the glue and label to cans after they have been filled and sealed. From there, the cans are group packaged for shipping. The step of labeling is important for identification as well as ingredients and health information.

I recommend: Go to Atuna for details on labeling and the use of a labeling machine as one of the final steps to the canning process.