Pressure canners are a must-have for any gardener or house owner who wants to can or preserve foods. They save so much time and energy, and you never have to worry about your food going bad because of spoilage. When it comes to pressure canners, many brands claim they are the best. So which one should you buy? Here's an unbiased guide to help you decide!
Overview of the best pressure canner
Best Overall
Presto Pressure Canner and Cooker
- Weighs 12 lbs
- Material: Aluminum
- 23-Quart Capacity
Premium
All American Pressure Canner and Canner
- Weighs 17.8 lbs
- Material: Aluminum
- 21.5-Quart Capacity
Which Pressure Canner Is Right For You? Things To Consider Before Buying Pressure Canner
Canning pots are a crucial part of the canning process. They come in various shapes and sizes, with many features to make your job easier. The type you should buy will depend on your needs, budget, skill level, and what kind of food preservation methods you want to use.
Here are a few things to consider before buying a pressure canner:
Do you want to use it for just home use, or do you plan on using it commercially?
Many people buy their pressure canners with future commercial uses in mind. However, those who want to start small (or don't have the budget) and only plan to use it home for their family tend to benefit from buying a less expensive pressure canner.
Do you want two working pressure settings?
Pressure canners that have two pressure settings give you even more versatility. If you plan to canning meat or fish, you'll want to get a unit with at least two working pressure settings: 10 and 15 PSI.
Do you prefer an aluminum or stainless steel pressure canner?
Most people prefer stainless steel because they don't have to worry about aluminum leaching into their foods. However, aluminum is much lighter and easier to move around.
What kind of food will you be preserving?
Some pressure canners are more suited for certain types of food than others. For example, you'll want to choose an appropriate model with an added accessory if you plan on canning meat or fish.
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What is your budget? How much money do you want to spend?
Pressure canners range from $100 to $300, but some are cheaper or more expensive. If you only want to do small-scale canning, choose a less expensive pressure canner.
How often will you use it?
If you plan on using your pressure canner frequently, then be prepared to make a bigger investment. It will last longer and work better if you use it often.
Now that you know the basics, let's go over the five best pressure canners on the market!
Top 5 Best Pressure Canner Review
1. Presto Pressure Canner and Cooker (Best Overall)
Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
Features:
- Presto 23 quart pressure canner is USDA recommended canning pressure cooker, useful for canning vegetables, meats, poultry, and seafood
- Constructed of warp-resistant heavy-gauge aluminum for fast, even heating; it Works on regular and smooth-top cooktops
- Apart from being one of the best pressure cookers, it also serves as a large pressure canner.
- It comes with a 12-year limited warranty.
- It includes a rack, a detailed instruction book, and some fabulous recipes.
Pros:
- The sturdy lid locks down during canning or cooking. This is one of the best pressure cookers available in the market.
- An overpressure plug will let off steam if it builds up excessively.
- The pressure dial gauge gives an accurate reading to keep the pressure constant during canning.
- Works for induction stoves
Cons:
- One of the cons of the presto aluminum pressure canner is that the pressure gauge can get filled with steam quickly, making it hard to read the setting.
2. Carey DPC-9SS, Smart Pressure Canner & Cooker (Best Value)
CAREY DPC-9SS Smart Electric Pressure Cooker and Canner, Stainless Steel, 9.5 Qt
Features:
- Designed for pressure canning, pressure cooking, steam cooking, and slow cooking
- Can process four-quart (wide-mouth), five pints, or sixteen four oz. Jelly jars at a time.
- Multi-Functional digital display with timer
- Comes with a removable 9.5 qt. non-stick aluminum inner pot, canning rack, and steam rack
- It can be set to 10 PSI and 15 PSI
Pros:
- The lid fits correctly and identifies when pressure is present.
- Easy to clean and perfect for quick and efficient pressure/slow cooking, browning, steaming vegetables, and cooking rice.
- Comes with a canning rack and steam rack for canning and cooking options and a removable condensation catcher for easy clean-up.
Cons:
- The instruction manual is not very comprehensive and a little difficult to understand.
3. All American Pressure Canner (Premium)
All American 1930 - 10.5qt Pressure Cooker/Canner
Features:
- It holds approximately 19 standard regular-mouth pint jars or seven standard regular-mouth quart jars
- Pressure regulator weight with settings of 5, 10, and 15 psi
- 15-3/8 inches high with 12-1/4-inch inside diameter. Inside Height is 10 1/2 inches.
- Made of durable, hand-cast aluminum with an attractive, easy-to-clean satin finish.
- Easy on-off cover; Positive action clamping wing nuts permit easy opening and closing.
- Sturdy phenolic top handle.
- Easy to read geared steam gauge.
- Easy-to-Read Instruction and Recipe Book Included
Pros:
- Double-thickness edges for additional protection.
- Heavy-duty cast aluminum construction throughout for fast & even heating.
- Metal-to-metal sealing for a steam-tight seal, with No gaskets to crack, burn, replace, or clean.
Cons:
- Not ideal to use on glass, ceramic, or flat cooktops because of concerns about the product's weight and possible heat fluctuation when used over flat cooktops.
4. Mirro Pressure Cooker
Mirro Aluminum 5 / 10 / 15-PSI Pressure Cooker / Canner Cookware, 22-Quart, Silver
Features:
- The pressure canner is constructed from rustproof heavy-gauge aluminum.
- It maintains steady pressure with three cooking options: 5, 10, and 15 PSI.
- Reusable overpressure plug, sure locking lid system, and side gasket pressure release.
- It has a cooking rack, a user guide, and awesome recipes.
Pros:
- Easy to use, efficient and safe.
- It heats up and cools evenly.
Cons:
- It doesn't work on glass-top stoves or ceramic-top stoves.
- You might have to undo the lid and reposition it several times to get the proper seal.
5. Instant Pot Multi-use Electric Canner and Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot Max 6 Quart Multi-use Electric Pressure Cooker with 15psi Pressure Cooking
Features:
- This Instant Pot multi-cooker can sustain 15 psi pressure cooking capability, speeding up the cooking process while using up to 70% less energy.
- Sustained 15psi, not only cooks food faster, you can now do home pressure canning too.
- The large touch screen makes programming seamless. You can set the time, temperature, pressure level, delay start, and Warm.
- It uses Nutriboost technology, which creates a boiling motion during pressure cooking to break down food, adding nutrition, flavor, and taste to soups and bone broth.
- UL certified with 13 safety features, new automated venting, and lid-lock.
- Accurate temperature control
- A new-brushed stainless steel exterior body, stainless steel interior cooker, and inner pot made from food-grade 304 stainless steel;
Pros:
- Ability to sustain 15 psi pressure which helps to cook food faster and is great for canning.
- The touch screen's intuitive interface makes programming easy and accurate.
Cons:
- It can take a little time to heat up.
How Do You Use A Pressure Canner?
Proper pressure canning requires the right jars or containers and the correct temperature and pressure for each kind of food you are canning.
Here are the steps to follow for using a pressure canner:
- Prepare the pressure canner by filling it with two to three inches of water and preheating it on low-medium heat for ten minutes
- Place the rack into the bottom of the pressure canner – this will keep your jars from touching the direct heat – and place your filled jars on top of the rack, ensuring they have enough room to expand fully during the cooking process.
- Add a little more water – about an inch – and bring it to a simmer. This will keep the jars hot so you can remove them from the pressure canner as soon as they've been sealed.
- Pour your food into each jar, leaving a quarter-inch space at the top.
- Use a non-metal utensil to remove bubbles within the jar, ensuring no mixture is sticking to the sides.
- Add the lid and process your pressure canner according to the manual instruction.
- When finished, allow jars to cool for 12 hours or until they've sealed by pressing down on the center of each lid to double-check that it has created an airtight seal.
- Store jars in a dark, cool place while you wait for them to fully cool, so the lids are properly set.
Instant Pot Canning: Can I Use An Instant Pot As A Pressure Canner?
Are you wondering if you can use an instant pressure cooker for canning? The answer to this question is easy: Yes! You can use an instant pot as a pressure canner, although the Instant Pot brand does not consider their product a pressure canner. The Presto Pressure Cooker Canner is a multi-cooker with many functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, and canning.
As the popularity of instant pots grows in every house as versatile, ultra-convenient kitchen equipment, so does the practice of instant pot canning.
What Are Some Safety Precautions For Using A Pressure Canner?
- Before using your pressure canner for the first time, you should check the release valve to ensure it functions correctly.
- You'll also need to be aware of rotating dials on pressure cookers and keep them in position while cooking.
- To avoid 1the pressure valve from clogging, you should use high-quality canning jars and thoroughly wash them in hot water.
- You'll also want to sterilize the jar lids by boiling them for at least 10 minutes before adding your product.
- Keeping the pressure dial steady at or near the correct level is also essential.
In conclusion, pressure canners are used for preserving and storing foods. These devices create airtight seals to help preserve low-acid foods by canning or pressure-cooking them at different temperatures and pressures.
Whatever your needs may be, there's no denying that these handy tools offer an excellent way to cook delicious meals while preserving them simultaneously! We hope our article has helped you decide which product fits your needs.
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FAQs
What is a pressure canner? Why do we need a pressure canner?
Pressure canners are a great way to preserve and store produce and other low-acid foods in sealed glass jars. A pressure canner increases the internal atmospheric pressure on the food. This causes the boiling point of water to rise, significantly increasing the temperature at which the food inside is cooked, destroying microbes, which helps store food longer and safer.
Is there a difference between a pressure canner and a pressure cooker?
Yes, there is a difference between a pressure canner and a pressure cooker. The pressure canner is used for food preservation and storage. Pressure canner provides constant pressure and high temperature for adequate time to kill the microbes that may potentially spoil the food. The pressure cooker occasionally referred to as a "pressure pan" or "pressure pot," is an alternative stovetop cooking technique that uses the intense heat of steam built up under pressure to cook foods quickly.
Can I use my pressure cooker for canning?
A pressure cooker is not recommended as an alternative to a pressure canner for preserving food. The two pieces of equipment are designed for different purposes and work differently. If you use a pressure cooker as an alternative to a pressure canner, there is no guarantee that your food will not spoil and possibly cause illness.
When should you use a pressure canner?
A pressure canner is used for food preservation and storage. You should use a pressure canner if you are preserving low-acid foods.
Are There Pressure Canners That Can Also Double as Soil Test Kits?
Yes, there are pressure canners that can also double as soil test kits. These versatile tools allow you to safely can your favorite foods while also providing accurate and reliable testing for your garden soil. Check out our top soil test picks for a convenient all-in-one solution.
What is the difference between pickling and pressure canning?
When picking a food, you place it in vinegar and salt solution. The vinegar's acidity helps prevent harmful bacteria from growing on the surface of your food, creating an environment that is not favorable for the bacteria. Pickled foods are okay to store at room temperature, but their quality will degrade. When pressure can affect food, it's vacuum-sealed in sterile glass containers and heated to the point of killing all microorganisms. When properly canned, these foods have a shelf life of up to 12 months.
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