Pressure Canner: How to Choose the Right One

A pressure canner is an essential item to have if you plan on canning and processing any vegetables and low acidic foods. While water bath canning will work just fine for jams, jellies, fruits, and pickled items, a pressure canner is the only way to protect yourself from potential food poisoning from botulism spores when canning vegetables, meats, and others. This is because a water bath canner only heats up to 212 degrees (boiling water point) whereas a pressure canner will heat to 240 degrees.

Here is our favorite pressure canner we can recommend to just about anyone:

It’s the All American Pressure Canner and has been used for decades as one of the leading brands. For $199, this pressure canner not only does not have a single bad review, but it is also a sturdy piece of canning equipment that will truly last forever. It comes with a weighted gauge, so you will not have to worry about calibrating a dial gauge. It is also made in the USA and unlike many canners does not have a gasket seal but instead a metal to metal seal. This is a huge plus, because gaskets can often get damaged or cracked and need replaced – which can be very hard to do after the years go by! The weighted gauge means no worrying about it being accurate. Click Here For More Details.

If you think you would prefer something less expensive with a dial guage instead, the Presto pressure canner is often a favorite for many.

It is considerably less expensive at only $79.99 and features a dial gauge. It holds up to 7 quart size jars and works just fine for canning a number of different foods. The only downside is you may need to periodically replace the rubber seal gasket, which is why many people instead opt for the more expensive metal to metal seal models. However, this one is a good start for many beginners and is pretty affordable. Click Here for the Presto 23-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker/Canner

Another one that seems promising, but we haven’t used personally to vouch for it is the Fagor 9 Piece Pressure Canning Set. The price is very good at only $109 and includes everything you need to get started, such as a ladle, funnel, jar lifter, lid wand and a recipe book. You will still need to purchase jars to go with it, but if you are new to canning and do not already have all of those things it is a very good value. It also comes with an instructional DVD, which can really help take away the mystery of canning as well! Click Here for the Fagor 9 Piece Pressure Canning Set

Now, when compared to a Complete Water Bath Home Canning Kit, a pressure canner is usually much more expensive. However, if you want to can any vegetables or meats, such as peppers, green beans, chili, soups, and more, then you really have no choice but to buy one, because it is the only way to make sure it is prepared safely. The good news is even though they are a bit on the pricier side is they pretty much last forever, they are easy to use, and they are often faster than water bath boiling methods. Not all foods do best in a pressure cooker, so you can either also use it for water boiling or pick up the Ball Complete Home Canning Kit in addition to the pressure canner.

You will also want to consider there are two different types: dial gauge type and weighted gauge types. Neither one is really “better” than the other, but it is important to note the difference because it does affect the way the foods are cooked. Most importantly to consider when choosing between the two is your altitude, as this affects boiling times and pressure. With a dial gauge you have more control over the amount of pressure used, which is helpful when canning something that doesn’t really necessarily need a lot of pressure. With weighted gauges, your choices are to choose typically either 10 or 15 pounds, with 15 being the usual for those in an altitude above 1000 feet above sea level.

While many people do like the larger ability to control with a dial gauge pressure canner, there is one slight downfall to consider. The dial can sometimes not be reliable which can make it difficult to know for sure whether your gauge is accurate or not. It is recommended that anyone using a dial gauge model have it tested for accuracy annually to ensure it is working properly.

Pressure canners tend to be on the more expensive side, so it is also important to consider what size you should get, since the bigger they are the more expensive they will get. It does not make sense to get a larger one if you will only be canning in small batches. If you plan on cooking a lot of different items however, a larger one may be better for your needs and drastically reduce the time it takes to can more than 7 quarts.

You will also have to think about what type of stove you have, since a glass cooktop does not work for most pressure canners. If you have a glass top stove, you will either want to contact the manufacturer to find out how to safely can on it, since most ceramic flat topped stoves will not get hot enough so the stove will not break or become damaged. Many people choose instead to use propane stoves outdoors or purchase single burners specifically for canning use in these circumstances. If you find you need more burners, the Waring Pro DB60 Portable Double Burner is a nice sturdy bet for canning or anyone who just needs a few extra stove burners.

Now you have an idea of what a pressure canner is and how one works! To see more styles and types and review which one is best for you Click Here to See All Pressure Canners.