Preserving Pan
An absolute essential, you can use a large saucepan, but a decent stainless steel preserving pan is a great investment. The sloping sides maximise evaporation, which means jam comes to setting point quicker, and the depth means preserves are contained well while boiling.

Sharp Knife
If you make a reasonable amount of preserves then chopping fruit and vegetables is one thing you'll be doing a lot of.  A decent knife that can be resharpened again and again makes preparing fruit and vegetables a pleasure.

Jam Funnel
No need to ever wipe round the rim of a sticky jar again, saves time and is endlessly satisfying to use.

Glass Measuring Jug
Essential for measuring out liquids when making jam or chutney, also used for pouring finished preserves into jars.

Measuring Spoons and Cups
Useful for adding dried fruit and spices.

Digital Scales
No more guessing makes for preserving success every time, a useful set will measure both lbs and grams and can be 'zeroed' to enable addition of ingredients.

Preserving Jars
Many makers use recycled jars, which keeps costs down. It's essential to check recycled jars over carefully for cracks and chips, and also sterilise correctly before use. Sets of matching sizes of jars can be bought if wished.

Thermometer
This will help give an accurate guide as to when jam has reached setting point. Can be useful as a back up to the traditional wrinkle test.

Mortar and Pestle
Great for grinding up spices when making chutney, a heavy pestle with a course textured mortar works best.

Silicon Spatula
Excellent for getting the last drop of jam out of the preserving pan. Also useful when transferring ingredients from bowl to pan.

Jelly Bag
Essential if you wish to make fruit jellies, can be useful when straining fruit pulp

Plastic Sieve
Useful when pulping fruit, use a silicon spatula and metal spoon to push pulp through the mesh. Acids in some fruit can react with metal sieves.