Determining Your Altitude Above Sea Level

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Title: Determining Your Altitude Above Sea Level
Categories: Information, Canning
Yield: 1 text


It is important to know your approximate elevation or altitude above sea
level in order to determine a safe processing time for canned foods.
Since the boiling temperature of liquid is lower at higher elevations,
it is critical that additional time be given for the safe processing of
foods at altitudes above sea level.

It is not practical to include a list of altitudes in this guide, since
there is wide variation within a State and even a county. For example,
the State of Kansas has areas with altitudes varying between 75 ft. to
4,039 ft. above sea level. Kansas is not generally thought to have high
altitudes, but there are many areas of the State where adjustments for
altitude must be considered. Colorado, on the other hand, has people
living in areas between 3,000 and 10,000 feet above sea level. They
tend to be more conscious of the need to make altitude adjustments in
the various processing schedules. To list altitudes for specific
counties may actually be misleading, due to the differences in
geographic terrain with within a county.

If you are unsure about the altitude where you will be canning foods,
consult your county Extension agent. An alternative source of information
would be your local district conservationist with the Soil Conservation
Service.

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* USDA Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 539 (rev. 1994)
* Meal-Master format courtesy of Karen Mintzias

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