I am wondering if any of you who can, can help guide me on the best pressure canner to buy. I am leaning towards this one here. The All American 15 1/2 quart pressure canner/cooker. I have read lots of good reviews on it.
Another option is this canner made by Presto.
It is about 1/2 the price of the All-American. 
It is hard to make a decision on something when you don't have any experience with it. Any suggestions?
I've been canning beans, ham, chicken stock, ham stock, beef broth, etc in a hot water bath. I thought I needed a pressure canner to do these right as well, but then my mother and my grandmother taught me their method and I haven't had a jar go bad yet. I know this isn't the information or help you wanted but I thought I should throw it out there.
ReplyDelete~Kelli @ Smidgens
I second that Kelli! I water bath can everything - just like my mother and grandmother did. I know current guidelines suggest otherwise but my family has never had any problems.
ReplyDeleteI am for the pressure canner. I made up tons of salsa last year and only did a water bath. I was under the impression that since it had a high acid content it didn't need the pressure canner. All the jars did seal nicely, but only about 8 months later I could see mold in some of the jars! It was so disappointing! Not all the jars had the mold, but I am afraid to eat any of the salsa out of that batch. I am now looking for a great deal on a pressure canner.
ReplyDeleteI recommend the presto. My family and in-laws have used this brand for years. No reason to spend twice as much to get the same product.
ReplyDeleteI also recommend the presto. I started with water bath canning decided to take the pressure canning plunge. I am really really glad I did. It takes a fraction of the boiling time and it really isn't hard. I was always afraid I was going to blow up the house but there is a safety on this one so that was a worry relieved. Also here in Iowa the extension offices do free pressure gauge checks every year as well. Since I have switched I can can in 20 minutes vs the 4 hours with bath canning. With all my boys time was worth the investment not to mention heating up our house and the cost of trying to cool it back down again after I spend the day canning in hot humid Iowa.
ReplyDeleteI bought one last year on sale at fleet farm. I don't remember the brand. I can look later. I think it was definitely a good gardening/preserving investment. I water bath tomatoes and applesauce, but the pressure canner was easy and great for beans and corn.
ReplyDeleteOh, and an update on my chicks and my question of how to tell males from females ... the roosters are becoming evident from their little cock-a-doodle-doos!
Thanks for the help! There is actually a really good deal on canners right now through Amazon. Free shipping too.
ReplyDeleteEmily, glad to hear the chicks are doing good. I thought I might have a rooster but I haven't heard it crow yet so maybe not!
My family has canned for generations, and I say better safe (pressured) than sorry! The AA has metal to metal seal, which means never replacing the gasket. I don't know about that presto one :) Have fun!
ReplyDeletei can ask my friend marty about his pressure canner --
ReplyDelete