1tspsugarYou can use more but I don't like my pickles at all sweet. (the purpose of the sugar is to cut the acid taste of the vinegar)
8tbspsea salt or pickling salt
Instructions
Preparing Jars
Wash jars in the dishwasher and then preheat the oven to 200°. Place the jars on a cookie sheet and heat for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. While jars are heating in the oven put the lids and rings in a small saucepan, cover them with water and bring to a boil. Take off the heat and leave lids and rings in water until you want to use them
Prepare the Whole Cucumbers
Wash the cucumbers and then trim the tops and bottoms, cut into spears or chips
Prepare the Pickling Brine
Combine the water, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stirring to make sure that the sugar and salt are dissolved. Let cool down while you are preparing pint jars.
Putting the Jar of Pickles Together
Put a large chunk of dill in the bottom of the jar, then a garlic clove, 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds, and 1/2 tsp of black peppercorns. If you're using quart jars double the ingredients.
Cover the cucumbers with the brine mixture, leaving 1/2 inch head space.
Put a lid and canner ring on the jars.
Refrigerator Pickles
At this point, you can put your pickle jars into the refrigerator and let them sit for at least 24 hours. They will only get tastier the longer they sit. The best flavor is about 5-6 days.
The pickles will be good for 4-6 weeks in the refrigerator
Canning Process
Fill the water canner 3/4 full with water, and add 1/4 cup vinegar to the water to help prevent lime film. Bring the water to a rolling boil.
Load the jars into the canner basket. Carefully lower the canner basket into the boiling water. I use high-heat plastic gloves to protect my hands.
The jars need to be completely covered if they aren't add more water and bring it back to a boil then let boil for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes carefully lift the basket out of the canner with the heat gloves and place it on a wooden cutting board.
Once the jars have cooled and the lid has been sealed. If the top dimples up and down with a slight push, it hasn't sealed. You can change the lid and reprocess.
I take the rings off, wash the jars, and store them in a cool to room temperature, dry place (my pantry) after 24 hours on the counter.