Hello, I am no expert but I have found for just around five dollars you can get a book called Blue Book guide to preserving. It is from the company Ball who makes the jars you will use. You can also find many helpful videos on You Tube. I know you will need a pressure caner, not cooker they are different. The caner is for preserving your food in the jars. The cooker is for cooking food quicker.You can cook in a caner but not can in a cooker...............confused?? I hope not.