processing garden produce
fowlers Vacola bottling method
comparison of fowlers units
Both the electric and stovetop Fowlers units have their advantages and
disadvantages. Below is a comparison of their respective strengths and
weaknesses.
Electric Fowlers preserving unit.
advantages
Fowlers stovetop unit
on a gas stove.
advantages
electric fowlers
units
Electric Fowlers preserving unit.
- Very simple to use with a single preserving time.
- Lower failure rate of jar seals due to the water not having to reach boiling point and the tops of the jars sticking out of the water.
- Easier on the back as the tap on the bottom of the unit means it can be drained of water without having to tip it.
- Readily available in many hardware stores (Australia)
disadvantages
- More expensive than stovetop units.
- As they use electricity they are not as environmentally friendly as a stovetop unit on a gas cooker.
- Can't really be used in homes that aren't on mains electricity.
- Longer processing time.
Stovetop fowlers
units
Fowlers stovetop unit
on a gas stove.
- Cheaper than electric units.
- More environmentally friendly as they require less water and can be used on a gas hotplate.
- Better suited for use in kitchens that are not on mains electricity.
disadvantages
- Can only be bought second hand, which means they are not always readily available.
- More complicated to use as cooking times vary depending on the different jar sizes.
- Harder on the back as you have to physically lift the unit in order to tip out the water.
- Higher failure rate of jar seals due to the water having to reach boiling point and the tops of the jars sit out of the water.