We are lucky enough to have several concord grape vines in our back yard. Harvesting the grapes and juicing them in a steam juicer is super easy. With the added step of water bath canning we can enjoy the fresh juice in the dead of winter.
The Steps for Canning Grape Juice with a Steam Juicer are Easy
1. Harvest Your Grapes
We typically wait until after the first frost to pick our grapes. This is supposed to ensure that they have released their sugar and are at their sweetest. Depending on how many grapes you have, you can harvest them all at the same time to process them at once or you can do it in batches.
2. Wash Your Grapes
Even through we don’t use any pesticides, it’s a good idea to wash your grapes to make sure they are clean and ready to process into delicious juice.
3. Place water in the bottom of the steam juicer
Steam juicers come in three parts. The bottom section holds the water that is heated to create the steam. Make sure it’s full of water so it doesn’t boil dry in the middle of a batch.
4. Set the juice collector on top
The middle section of the steam juicer is the part that collects the juice. It’s placed on top of the water pot and has a hose where the juice will come out when it’s ready. You’ll notice there is a domed hole in the center where the steam will rise.
5. Make sure the tube is clamped
Before you start processing the first batch, you’ll want to make sure that the hose is clamped so the juice doesn’t leak out before you’re ready. I like to hang the clamp on the handle to the pot so it doesn’t hang down.
6. Place the Colander on top full of grapes
The third section of the steam juicer is the colander that holds the grapes. This will sit on top of the juice collector in the middle section. Fill the colander full of grapes. I find if it’s all the way full, I can get pretty close to 4 quarts of grape juice in a batch.
7. Put on the lid
It’s important to put the lid on top so the steam doesn’t escape and all of the heat is retained. It’s the steam and heat that cause the grapes to release their juice.
8. Turn on the heat and wait for the grapes to pop
Now you’re all set up to get juicing. Turn the heat on to get the water boiling, then wait for the grapes to pop! You’ll notice they change color as they heat.
9. It’s ready when the juice is in the tube
If you are juicing concords you’ll be able to see the juice to start to enter the tube. White grapes unfortunately are too light and you might have to peek in the middle section to see if there is enough juice.
10. Place the tube in a mason jar and release the clamp
Once the juice is ready you can place the tip of the hose in a mason jar and release the clamp.
11. Fill the jar
You’ll love this step. There is nothing like seeing that beautifully natural juice fill the jar!
12. Leave 1/4 inch head space
You’ll want to leave at least 1/4 inch of head space in the mason jar if you plan on processing them in a canner.
13. Process in a water bath canner for 5 minutes adjusted for altitude
Before processing your jars, wipe the rims, place the lids and secure with bands until finger tight. They only take 5 minutes in a canner at a full boil, but you’ll need to adjust that for your altitude.
That’s It! Now you’ll be able to enjoy grape juice all year long. Don’t forget the easiest way to pour grape juice from a mason jar is with the Ergo Spout®!
How To Can Grape Juice With A Steam Juicer by Ergospout on Jumprope.
Judi
Today I have been gifted two large crates of fresh grapes.
Can I rinse and clean them first, THEN freeze to steamer juice when I have more time??
Im assuming yes since any other fruit on Google appears to have been frozen and juiced but I’m haven’t found anything about grapes.
Thanks for your help!
Kate
Hi Judi! While I haven’t frozen grapes before juicing, I see no reason why it wouldn’t work if you have the freezer space! I have frozen fruit for jam before with great results. Grapes should be no different. Good luck!
Frankie
After Ii juice my grapes I pour the juice into the clean mason jars while the juice is hot. Then I put on the top with a firm grip but not hard. After they sit the lids shut closed and I tighten the lids. There is no air bubble in the top lids and they are sucked in tight. Do I still have to process them? Please let me know.
Kate
It is recommended to process juice because while it might be hot enough to kill any botulism spores, the only way to be sure is to process the jars.