Hi liz h, ...guess that be me. Here is a link to the full article in the San Jose Mercury News that has a 'sidebar' at the end with the benefits. http://www.mercurynews.com/homeandgarden/ci_9585548 Regarding the watering 'attachment', I adapted the Earth Box Company's Automated Watering System (AWS) to the EarthTainer so that it would keep a constant 5" of water in the reservoir. http://shop2.mailordercentral.com/EarthBox/prodinfo.asp?number=EB-WS-12+EB+KIT I don't think it would work with a gravity feed approach using rainwater as you contemplate. p.s. I wanted to get a copy of the Dallas News article. Did you save it by chance? Raybo Here is a link that might be useful: EarthTainer Instructions

Ann, I can think of two factors in your yield variance. 1. The apples may have contained more water this time which cooked out to get the consistency you like. 2. If you measured your original yield with just one pound of apples, maybe you had just over 7/8 of a pint which is close to a whole pint. However, 8 * 7/8 is 7 pints, because the small deviations add up. If all the jars were filled to just about the same height as the original jar, I'd blame possibility #1, more water. Thanks for sharing your yield. I'm about to buy bagged apples on sale & now I know about how many will make a canner load. Also your judgment sounds right on getting all the good stuff from the peels. I use a Villaware strainer...some people re-run the pulp, but I've found that usually just jams it up for me, so I find another use for it (veg cocktail remnants = dog treats [a little at a time], berry remnants --> flavored vinegar). Melissa

Time to move this down, too.

Time to move this down.