When it comes to preserving food, pressure canning is one of the best ways to go. You can preserve almost any fresh food with pressure canning – including things like meat, jam, and salsa.
And, contrary to what many people think, pressure canning is actually very easy to do!
This guide to pressure canning will give you all the info you need to get started, including recommendations for the best pressure canners and equipment.
Table of Contents:
Pressure Canner Reviews
Our Top Pick
All American Pressure Canner
Strong, reliable and easy to use. This is by far the best pressure canner on the market.
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Best Budget Option
Mirro 22 Quart Pressure Canner
An impressive list of features for a budget price. This canner will do the job reliably enough for most.
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Induction Stovetops
Presto 23 Quart Pressure Canner
Affordable canning with an induction-capable option. Reasonably durable and well-priced.
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1. All American Pressure Canner and Cooker
This is by far the best pressure canner on the market. People love it because it is available in many sizes.
It has all the advanced features anyone serious about food preservation would want – like automatic pressure release and a weighted-gauge regulator which can be set to 5, 10, or 15psi. It’s easy to use and there is no confusion about reading the pressure gauge.
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All-American canners are also made from very sturdy materials. A unique feature is that there is no gasket (which often crack or break). Instead, it uses a metal-to-metal system for sealing the lid so there is nothing to break.
If you need to can lots of jars at once, this is the way to go. With the largest size, you can even double stack jars on top of each other to fit 19 quart-size jars or up to 36 pint-sized jars in one go.
Just be warned that All-American canners (even the smaller sizes) are very heavy when fully loaded! Plan your canning so the canner doesn’t have to be moved when full.
Pros
Available in many sizes (10.5 to 41.5 quarts)- Largest size can hold 19 quart-sized jars
- No gasket to ever replace
- Weighted-gauge pressure regulator (5, 10, 15psi)
- Quality construction
- Simple to use
Available in many sizes (10.5 to 41.5 quarts)Cons
- Very heavy when full
- Pricy
- Not for induction stovetops
- Small handles
Very heavy when full2. Presto 23 Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
The Presto canner is really popular because of its affordable price tag. It still has a very durable construction but is more affordable because it has a dial-type gauge. Weighted gauge canners are more accurate when it comes to regulating pressure.
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There is a rubber automatic overpressure release valve. It will release when the pressure goes over 15psi.
As you’d expect with a cheap pressure canner, it has a rubber gasket for sealing the lid. You will have to replace this gasket at some point since it is prone to cracking.
The main pro about the Presto canner (other than the price) is that there is an induction-capable model available. Few other pressure canners have this capability.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Induction-capable model available
Cons
- Only sets to 15psi
- Dial gauge type of pressure regulator
- Rubber gasket will need to be replaced
3. Mirro 22 Quart Canner
The Mirro pressure canner has an impressive list of features yet is still a very affordable price. It is a weighted gauge canner, so you can set it and forget it. There are three pressure options: 5,10, and 15psi. Of course, there is an automatic overpressure release for safety.
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There are also other backup safety features built into the canner. These include: a safety latch that prevents the canner from sealing when the lid isn’t closed properly, a lock which prevents the lid from opening when the canner is under pressure, and a backup overpressure release window.
The canner weighs 15lbs when empty and can hold 7 quart-sized jars or 16 pint-sized jars. There’s also a smaller size available, but IMO it’s too small for serious canning.
Pros
- Affordable
- Weighted gauge pressure regulator (5, 10, 15psi)
- Great safety features
- Lightweight
- Jars can be stacked inside
Cons
- Rubber gasket will need replacing
- Not for induction stovetops
- No dial gauge- not great for high altitudes
4. Granite Ware 20 Quart Canner
This is also a great budget canner (though the Mirro model is better, IMO). The main thing that makes it stand out from the Mirro and Presto is its appearance. The anodized aluminum is really attractive. However, it does mean the canner can scratch glass stovetops.
This canner has a weighted pressure gauge. You can set the pressure to 5, 10, or 15 psi. There is no dial gauge for reading the pressure. So, if you are in high altitudes, you’ll have to use the highest pressure setting.
A unique feature is that there are two overpressure valves. One issues a warning whistle and the other releases pressure in case the first fails. There is also a safety feature that locks the lid in place when the canner is under pressure.
The canner will hold 7 quart-sized jars or 8-pint-sized jars. You can’t stack jars on top of each other in this canner. It is lightweight at just over 1 lb.
Pros
- Weighted gauge pressure regulator (5, 10, 15psi)
- Good safety features
- Lightweight
- Also works as a steamer and cooker
- Good price
Cons
- No dial gauge – not great for high altitudes
- Will scratch glass stovetops
- Not suitable for induction stovetops
- Silicon gasket will need replacing
- Jars cannot be stacked
How to Choose a Pressure Canner
If you are new to pressure canning, then making sense of the options can be confusing. There are three main things you want to look at.
Read our guide to pressure canning for beginners.
Capacity
If you are serious about canning food to preserve it, then I wouldn’t get a pressure canner under 20 quarts in size. A canner of this size will hold about 7 quart-sized jars – which really isn’t a lot.
Some canners (like the All-American and Mirro canners) can fit jars stacked on top of each other. This allows them to hold many more jars and saves you time.
Type
All pressure canners can be divided into two types based on how they regulate pressure:
- Dial gauge
- Weighted gauge
This has to do with how they control the pressure within them. The better option is a weighted gauge pressure regulator. It uses a weight on the vent on the lid.
Weighted gauge canners (also called jigglers because of the sound they make) will automatically lift the valve if the pressure gets too high. You’ll hear them jiggling during the process. The only disadvantage to these canners is that they are more expensive. They also aren’t as good at regulating pressure at high altitudes.
With dial gauge, it is a lot harder to regulate pressure. You will have to turn up or down the heat if you want the pressure to be higher/lower. They can also become inaccurate. You are supposed to have your dial gauge checked once yearly before you start canning.
In the past, dial-gauge canners could be dangerous because they didn’t have automatic pressure releases. However, virtually all modern pressure canners now have this safety feature.
Stovetop Compatibility
Not all pressure canners can be used on certain types of stoves. Many aluminum canners won’t work on induction stoves. If you have glass stovetops, the canner might also scratch the stove.
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