Choosing a Pressure Canner

Canning/preserving fresh vegetables and fruit is a critical step in your preparedness plan. And critical to canning/preserving is choosing a pressure canner that you are comfortable working with. They are not cheap, and can make your life easier or can be a frustration if you don’t get the right fit for your family. A few things to consider are price, size, and type.

On the low end you can acquire used pressure canner/cookers at garage sales, thrift stores and Amazon or Ebay. Be very careful with these devices as all the parts have to be present and functioning properly. The only way I’d use a pre-owned canner/cooker is if I was very familiar with the brand and model and pressure canners in general. Ensure the gaskets and gauges are in good repair and that replacements can still be purchased online. Inexpensive new pressure canners that have good reviews include Presto and Mirro. Expect to pay $65-120.

Getting a higher quality pressure canner like an All-American will cost between $180-350. Much of the variance in price in these models is due to capacity, or how many quart and pint jars you can can at one time. These canners have a more rugged build and don’t have rubber gaskets. Instead they are steam sealed with multiple positive latches to keep the lid shut. These more expensive units will also have automatic overpressure release valves with settings of 5, 10 and 15 psi. As in most things, you get what you pay for. These are better canners but folks have been using the less expensive ones above for generations. It comes down to what you are comfortable with and how and how often you plan on using it.

Size:

Choosing a pressure canner really depends on the size of your family and how long you want to be canning on canning day. We have eight in our family so we are primarily going to be canning in quart jars, except for our jams which we don’t do much of.

Here is a quick reference scale of common pressure canner sizes:

10 ½ quart holds 7 pint jars or 4 quart jars
15 ½ quart holds 10 pint jars or 7 quart jars
25 quart holds 19 pint jars or 7 quart jars
30 quart holds 19 pint jars or 14 quart jars
41 ½ quart holds 32 pint jars or 19 quart jars

Keep in mind when choosing a pressure canner that you can also use it as a pressure cooker so ensure it’s big enough to fit your typical family size meal. Using a pressure cooker allows you to cook foods in about half the time which conserves your electric or gas usage.

Also note the size of your stove top. The big 41 ½ quart canner measures 19 inches high and 16 inch diameter. NOTE: THE USE OF A PRESSURE CANNER/COOKER IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR GLASS OR FLAT TOP STOVES.

Type:

As mentioned already, type boils down to size, features and whether it has a gasket or no gasket. Get the one you can afford and that you feel comfortable with. Remember that gaskets are approximately $10 and need to be replaced when cracked or worn in any way.

Lastly, don’t forget the accessories if you are just starting out. You’ll need the Ball Complete Book of Home Preservation 400 delicious and creative recipes for today and a Ball #10700 Home Canning Utensil Set .

Happy canning!