{"id":24388,"date":"2020-06-04T10:17:28","date_gmt":"2020-06-04T17:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/snohomish\/?page_id=24388"},"modified":"2025-09-03T13:40:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T20:40:26","slug":"pressure-canners","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/snohomish\/families\/food-preservation\/pressure-canners\/","title":{"rendered":"Pressure Canners"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pressure Canners<\/span><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
WSU Extension<\/span><\/a><\/span> > Snohomish County<\/span><\/a><\/span> > News<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n\n
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Pressure canning is the only recommended method for canning meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, and other low acid food products. It’s the only proven and tested method capable of destroying any disease-causing microorganisms that might be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pressure canner<\/a> is a very important piece of equipment when it comes to home food preservation<\/a>. Make sure it is working properly  to ensure the safety of any foods preserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"weighted
Weighted gauge canner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"dial
Dial gauge canner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pressure Canner Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of pressure canners \u2013 weighted gauge and dial gauge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weighted gauges do not need to be tested. Just make sure to check rubber seals and safety plugs regularly for wear and replace when necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dial gauge canners have a sensitive pressure gauge used to measure the internal pressure of the canner. As a delicate scientific instrument they can often be damaged or off to some degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the dial gauge on your pressure canner does not register correctly, you could be jeopardizing the safety of the food you preserve. To avoid any issues with the proper function of your pressure canner, you should have it checked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The USDA recommends having pressure canner dial gauges tested annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Switch to a Weighted Gauge?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Presto can help with switching your canner to a 3-piece weighted gauge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you switch to a weighted gauge you don\u2019t need to get your gauge checked. The weight becomes all that you need to rely on. You leave the dial gauge on \u2014 but it becomes instead just an indicator to let you know when the pressure is returning close to 0 so you will be able to take the lid off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do call Presto so they can help you determine if this is the best approach for you. All cases are different and they need to verify which canner you have before they can respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact Presto Customer Service via<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Telephone<\/strong>: 1-800-877-0441
Email<\/strong>: Contact1@GoPresto.com<\/a>
Facebook<\/strong>: GoPresto<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you use a pressure canner as a hot water bath canner?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have a Presto brand pressure canner, you may be able to use it as a hot water bath canner as well. Here are the Instructions from Presto (pdf)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Schedule a pressure canner gauge test<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Call (425) 357-6024 or email Rosy at Rosy.Smit@wsu.edu to arrange a time for your equipment to be tested. Please bring in your lid, gauge, seal(s) and pot so that we can check everything over prior to your canning season. We can still test if you are only able to provide the lid and gauge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other locations for gauge testing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n