Did you know that you can extend the overall shelf life of the foods by pressure canning them? By doing so, you will be able to preserve fresh produces and some low-acid foods such as corn, broth, and beans for an extended amount of time. And, did you know you will be able to do it by yourself? Yes, by yourself!
What you are going to need for that is a pressure canner. And, now you might be thinking that it would be quite difficult for you to choose the best pressure canner in the market. Well, we are here to make that choosing process easier for you. Alongside that, we are also going to provide you a short but effective buying guide.
Best Pressure Canner Reviews
You might already know that there is an overabundance of options in the market. And not all of them will be worth the money that you are going to spend on it. That is why we have gone through the most popular ones and huddled a list with the ones that are worthy of recommendation. Have a look at the list that we made for you:
1. Roots & Branches VKP1054 FruitSaver
Let us start the list with the best pressure canner for beginners. This one that is from Roots & Branches does live up to the name of the manufacture. It will preserve the food just like roots preserve the branches of the trees.
To begin with, it has quite a simple operational procedure. You will only be able to pressure can foods just by four simple steps. The flat rack that it comes along will also make it easier for you to make the jars sit on the bottom.
Besides that, the heating up time of the unit is faster than most of the other options. As it is going to require a lower amount of time to heat up, you will be able to start the processing time faster.
It also comes with a temperature indicator. This indicator will allow you to precisely can your foods by showing the exact inside temperature. It will let you know when it is safe to take the lid off.
The silicone handles that the body features will allow you to move it around without having to get a burn in your hand.
Pros
- Four-step operation
- Quickly heats up
- Comes with silicone handle
- Easy to move around
- Features a flat rack on the bottom
Cons
- Body bends easily
- Can not accommodate a large number of jars
2. korkmaz Turbo Stainless Steel Induction Compatible Pressure Cooker
Getting the best pressure cooker for canning that comes with a secure lid will make the overall process a breeze. And, a unit such as that would be this one that Korkmaz is offering.
Unlike some of the units, this one comes with a sturdy body. It is of heavy-gauge steel and aluminum. That means you will have a hard time putting dents on it, and you can forget about trying to bend it.
It also comes in three different sizes. You will be able to choose from 5 quarts, 7 quarts, and 9.5 quarts. Each of them features the same material body that is also resistant to rust and corrosions.
The heat retention of the units is quite praiseworthy too. They will be able to efficiently distribute heat to each of the jars that you are going to put inside. Because of that, the overall process will not take that much amount of time. And the lid design that it features will ensure that it stays secure to the top. It also has a lock indicator that will let you know if you have created a proper seal or not.
Pros
- Innovative lid design
- Features a heavy-duty construction
- Three different sizes
- Retains heat exceptionally well
- Resistant to rust and corrosions
Cons
- Can not accommodate that much amount of jars
- Handles feel a bit flimsy
3. All American 921 Canner Pressure Cooker
While going through the pressure canner reviews, you might want to opt for something that comes with an easy to read pressure gauge. In that case, you should consider this one from All American.
As we mentioned, the unit comes with a geared steam gauge. The gauge is quite easy to read, and you will be able to set it to release the pressure at a certain point. After setting it up, it will automatically release the overpressure. It can be set at five psi, ten psi, and fifteen psi.
Apart from that, it also comes with a phenolic top handle. The positive action nuts make it easy to open and close. Because of the metal-to-metal system, it will be able to make a steam-tight seal. It also can resist heat exceptionally well. You will not have to worry about burning your hands.
The overall construction of the unit is quite durable as well. Both the body and the lid are of hand-cast aluminum. And it comes in six different sizes. The available sizes go as small as 10.5 quarts and go all the way up to 41.5 quarts.
Pros
- Easy to read pressure gauge
- Features a phenolic top handle
- Can make a proper steam-tight seal
- Easy to open and close the handle
- In six different sizes
Cons
- Outside coating tends to discolor after a couple of uses
- Units bit heavy to lift and move from one place to another
4. Presto 23-Quart Induction Compatible Pressure Canner
Finding an appropriate cooker to heat up can be a bit of a hassle. But if you get this one that Presto is offering, you will not have to worry about that anymore.
First of all, the unit is not only compatible with induction cookers, but you will also be able to make it work on gas, smooth-top cookers, and gas cookers. You will not have to worry about finding a proper heating source with this.
Other than that, the overall construction of the unit is of heavy-gauge aluminum. This material makes it exceptionally durable. And the base that it comes with is stainless steel-clad. It will ensure a proper heat distribution, and the water inside will heat up substantially faster than most of the other units that are out there.
The overall capacity of the unit is 23-quarts. It will be able to hold 26 half-pints or 20 full-pints. You will be able to can a large number of jars at one go.
There is an easy to read pressure gauge on top too. And the cover that it comes along will ensure proper sealing and accelerate the canning process.
Pros
- Features a heavy-gauge aluminum body
- Base is of stainless steel-clad
- Compatible with most types of cookers
- Easy to read pressure gauge
- Ensures even distribution of heat inside
Cons
- Comes in one size only
- Can not distribute heat efficiently on glass top stove
5. T-fal Pressure Canner 7114000511
The pressure canners that comes with a pressure control mechanism will offer a substantial amount of control over the canning process. A perfect example of a unit such as that would be this one that it from T-fal.
Unlike some of the units that are in the market, this one comes with a selective pressure control mechanism. With that, you will be able to choose from three different pressure levels. When the pressure exceeds the amount you set it up with, it will automatically release the overpressure.
Apart from that, the overall construction of the unit is quite durable too. It features a heavy-gauge aluminum body. Moreover, it is highly resistant to rusts. And the lid that it comes along will allow you to get a proper seal easily.
The unit comes with two canning racks. It can hold both 16 pint-sized jars and 26 half-pin-sized jars. Other than that, the overall capacity of the unit is 22 quarts. On the top, it comes with a pressure monitoring gauge that will allow you to monitor the pressure that is building up inside closely.
Pros
- Selective pressure control mechanism
- Releases overpressure automatically
- Features a durable aluminum construction
- Resistant to rust
- Comes with two canning racks
Cons
- Valve that it comes along does not feel that sturdy
- Rubber gaskets tend to bind up
What Is the Difference Between a Pressure Cooker and a Pressure Canner?
Both the pressure cooker and the pressure canner works by utilizing one simple process, which is to trap the steam and build up pressure inside the container. Even though both of those operate by implementing the same procedure, they do have some differences between them. The two main ones that separate both of them are:
Pressure Monitors
The pressure canners come with weighted gauges or dials. These pressure monitoring devices will allow you to closely monitor the pressure that is building up inside, which is essential for canning. By getting to a certain pressure, you will be able to destroy all the microorganisms of the food that you have inside.
On the other hand, pressure cookers do not come with any pressure dials or gauges, which will make it hard to can foods inside them. The pressure inside can not be monitored, and it is used for cooking the food inside at a rapid pace.
Size
The other thing that separates the pressure canners from the pressure cookers is the size. In this case, the canners are usually large in size, which is to accommodate jars and cans.
On the other hand, if you have looked through our canning pressure cooker reviews, you will notice that those are not that much larger in size. That means you will not be able to put that much amount of jars inside them for the canning process.
What to Look for Before Buying?
You might already have a general idea about the decent ones that are in the market after going through the pressure canner reviews. Well, to solidify that even further, we are here to provide you some points that will allow you to scrutinize the units efficiently. The factors that you will have to keep in mind are:
The Pressure Gauge
The first thing that you will have to consider is the pressure gauge. As you know by now, it is a crucial part of a pressure canner. Without this, you will not be able to carry out the canning process optimally. Keeping that in mind, we would recommend you to opt for the ones that come with a pressure gauge or a dial that is easy to read.
Other than that, some might come with a selective pressure control mechanism. Those are an added bonus, and having those will make the procedure feel like taking a walk in the park.
Build Quality
After that you have considered the pressure dial, you will have to factor in the overall build quality of the unit. In this case, we would recommend you to go with aluminum or stainless steel ones. Those will last for an extended amount of time.
However, if you want something that is easy to maneuver around, you should opt for the aluminum ones as stainless steel ones tend to be a bit on the heavier side.
The Lid
Another crucial part of the pressure canners is the lid. It is what will make a proper seal inside, which is important for building pressure inside. Keeping that in mind, you should opt for the ones that come with lids that can make a proper seal.
You should also consider the gaskets. If the unit that you are shooting for comes with flimsy gaskets, you will not be able to get the same deal as you did in day one.
Handle
The sturdier the handle of the unit, the easier it will be for you to open and close the lid. Apart from that, you should also go for the ones that can resist heat properly. If you get the ones that retain heat, you are going to have to wear gloves to open and close the lid.
The Size
Not all the units in the market will come in the same size. Some will be larger, and some will be mediumly-sized. In this case, what you should first make sure is the size of the heating surface that you have. And alongside that, you should also consider if you want to pressure can a large number of jars at one go or not.
If the cooking surface allows, and if you want something that can accommodate a large number of jars at one go, you should opt for the large-sized ones. Other than that, you should be fine with a moderately-sized one.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it possible to cook with a pressure canner?
Yes, you will be able to cook using a pressure canner. However, they are usually large in size. So you might have some trouble in the case of maneuvering your food around in them.
2. Can I use a pressure cooker for canning?
It is possible to use a pressure cooker as a canner, but we would not recommend that. As pressure cookers do not come with a pressure gauge, you will not be able to monitor the pressure inside. And for that reason, it is not recommended to use them for canning.
3. Are aluminum pressure canner heavier than stainless steel ones?
No, the stainless steel ones are heavier than the aluminum ones. If weight is a factor, you should opt for the aluminum ones.
4. What are the foods that I should avoid canning?
Foods such as milk or the items that contain milk, refried beans, flour, cornstarch, nuts, and cashews are not meant to be canned, and you should not can them.
5. How long will it take for a pressure canner to depressurize?
For most of the units, it should take about thirty minutes. However, if it is loaded with large jars, it can take up to 45 minutes.
Final Words
We hope that we were able to make choosing the best pressure canner a bit easier for you. With that, we would like to conclude here by wishing you good luck and hoping that the foods that you are going to can, stay fresh for an extended amount of time.