5 Best Pressure Canners

Canning is one of the safe methods of food preservation and expanding its lifespan. There are few forms of doing it but pressure canning is the most commonly used. It is so easy as long as you have got a good canner that can do the job properly.

However, with so many pressure canners available in the market, it may be a daunting task to choose the best pressure canner. Fortunately, this guide will help you to pick a product that can take your worries out of canning. We've compiled the 5 best pressure canners that you won't go wrong with.

---

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links with no extra cost to you. Learn more.

---

1.Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker

When it comes to canning, Presto is one of the well-known brands that make quality products. Their 23-quart pressure canner is also the best pressure canner available in the market. It is made of aluminum and it's lightweight, thus you can use it on glass top range.

The gauge of this model is a pressure dial that makes altitude adjustments so easily. But just like all dial gauges, you'll need to occasionally take the canner for testing. What I love about this canner is that you can use it for canning, cooking as well as a water bath canner, which is an added benefit. If  you're looking for a pressure canner with a large capacity and versatility opt for this model.

2. All American Pressure Canner 921, 21.5qt

All American Pressure Canners are undoubtedly outstanding when it comes to high-quality canners. All their products are built to last generations. American pressure canners are available in different sizes which are 10.5 qt, 15.5 qt, 21.5 qt, 25 qt, 30 qt, and 41.5 qt. This 21.5 qt is their third model in terms of size. It is huge enough to process larger batches. 

Additionally, this appliance is made of heavy-duty aluminium and built to last a lifetime. I also love that there's no gasket to care for and eventually replace. It also has a built-in safety pressure valve in case the pressure canner gets overpressured. It was absolutely designed with safety in mind.

3. Presto Precise Digital Pressure Canner, 12qt

As mentioned in the first review, Presto is one of the well-known brands that make outstanding products. This model is so far one of the best digital canners on the market. It is much easier to use. The beauty lies in that it automatically calculates altitude and there's no adjusting up and down of the heat in order to keep the pressure right. 

Once the pressure process starts, you can walk away and let the canner do the work while you do something else until the time is up. It walks you through you the whole process. Anyone can do canning with this gadget. 

4. All American Pressure Canner 915, 15.5qt

This pressure canner is similar to model 921, 21.5qt which is mentioned on our second pick. They only differ in capacity and dimension but the quality is the same. So you can choose your desired version based on your needs. All American pressure canners come with an easy-to-follow manual and a DVD. So if it's your first time to can you can get a visual of how it's supposed to function.

5. NESCO or CAREY

NESCO and CAREY pressure canners are also worth buying. They make canning so easy especially if you are dealing with small batches. Additionally, they're multifunctional appliances that can be used for pressure canning, steaming, slow cooking as well as pressure cooking. They also come with a browning feature which is a huge bonus in cutting the time of doing additional dishes. 

Furthermore, these canners include standard and high altitude limiting valves which is an important feature that allows users to can safely at different elevations. So if you're living in high-altitude areas, I recommend you to get Nesco or Carey since most canners are not designed to be used for high-altitude areas.

NOTE: NESCO company bought the Carey brand. The older version of Carey had detachable cords and there were some complaints about melting to the detachable cords. So, they redesigned and the updated Carey's are now hard-wired like NESCO. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can instant pots safely be used as pressure canners? Instant Pots are not safe for canning. They have not been tested by USDA for food safety in pressure canning. 

Apart from that, the canning process requires a good combination of temperature and pressure inside the canner for proper processing. But when using an instant pot there's no way for you to know the exact pressure you're cooking at. Also you can't tell what temperature your jars are actually coming from which may lead to canning failure. If you want to can, I advise you to buy an actual pressure canner designated for pressure canning.

What is the difference between a pressure cooker and a pressure canner? Pressure cookers and pressure canners are both meant to trap steam inside an airtight container. But they are different in size and sustained PSI (pounds per square inch). 

Pressure cookers are usually used to cook meats, vegetables as well as other ingredients in a rapid manner. However, pressure canners are intended for processing low acid foods such as vegetables, beef, poultry, and other ingredients for canning purposes. Furthermore, pressure cookers mostly hold 4 Quarts or less while pressure canners hold 7 Quarts jars.

How do I choose a pressure canner? When choosing a pressure canner you have to consider the capacity and size of the pressure canner to buy. That's what determines the number of jars you can process at a time. 

Beyond everything the price comes into play. If you're on a tight budget,  you can go for Presto pressure canner. But if money is not an issue you can opt for All American pressure canner. This doesn't mean another brand is less functional. Both pressure canners have good safety features. 

The only difference is that All American pressure canners are made of heavy-duty materials whereas Presto pressure canners use a lighter-weight metal. All in all, heavy-duty material can last generations.

To Sum Up

If you're ready to invest in a pressure canner, you won't go wrong with any of the above-mentioned models. They are the best pressure canners available in the market.   Whether you choose the All American, the Presto, or Carey, you won't regret it. The only regret you'll have is that you didn't buy it sooner. They get the job done with no hassles. Above all, these pressure canners are durable and can last for a long time, with very little maintenance. 

Happy canning!!