Presto Canner Owners Heads Up!

[NCLee]

On the advice of someone in another forum, I ordered 2 of these from Pesto.
http://www.gopresto.com/products/products.php?stock=50332

It's an adjustable Pressure Canner Regulator. Can be set to maintain pressure at 5lbs, 10 lbs, 15 lbs. The standard regulator that comes with these is set for 15 lbs.

Story: With the burners on my gas stove, the simmer burner takes FOREVER to heat up the canner to exhaust it. The next burner, in BTU output, puts out too much heat, at it's lowest setting, to hold pressure at 10 lbs for any length of time. Made canning meat almost a nightmare. Had to watch the pressure dial, like a hawk, and periodically turn off the burner for a bit, to stop the pressure from climbing.

Received the adjustable regulators and did a trial run, yesterday, canning 7 quarts of water to test it. Watching the dial, once I had the canner up to pressure and adjusted the burner to it's lowest setting, the regulator maintained pressure at 10 1/2 lbs for ONE HOUR.

Although I did check about every 10 minutes, for the test, I didn't actually have to keep watching that dial. Didn't have to touch the stove knob again.

IMHO, using this adjustable regulator will also replace the need to have the gauge checked every year for accuracy. Since there'll no longer be a need to watch it.

IMHO, it's going to make canning much easier, since I no longer have to babysit that dial. I can go about doing prep work for the next canner load or other things in the kitchen. Without having to stop to check that gauge.

I called Presto to confirm that this would work on both of my canners. My oldest one was made prior to 1977. Can't understand why it isn't listed as an accessory for those on the Presto web site. It's shown as an accessory for the 23 qt model.

Finally, before I close, when you order this regulator, go ahead and order a spare sealing ring and any other accessories that you need/want. I ordered an additional rack to be used for double stacking pints. With the exception of some glass accessories, total shipping for orders is $6.

FWIW, I need to order another spare ring for my old canner, as the spare one is going on that today. Could have saved $6 by including it in my order for the regulator. You do keep a spare sealing ring, on hand, don't you? I learned that lesson, the hard way, when I had a ring to fail with 7 qts of meat in the canner. The canner would not pressurize.

Get yourself an ADJUSTABLE pressure regulator for your Presto. (Confirm with them that it will fit your model canner.)

Lee

[sissy]

I seen them on there last fall but did not order, Stopped by local Ace hardware store & found one there (last one). I use it all the time since I got it. It works great. I have a electric stove & once temp. is set, go to so something else. Mine stays on 11lb pressure.
Thanks for reminding me I need to pick up some spare parts for my canners.
I agree with Lee getget yourself a ADJUSTABLE pressure regulator, They do help a lot.
Sissy

[CanNerd]

It's more commonly known as a 3-piece "rocker" weighted gauge, which is used by the non-dial-gauge canners. The weighted gauge gives you 5#, 10# and 15# pressure depending on the weights used. 10# is used for normal canning at sea level and 15# for higher altitudes. The 5# is not really used for canning purposes.

A dial gauge Presto canner can be adapted, as stated, by replacing the 15# pressure regulator on the canner with the 3-piece rocker weight. The dial gauge is then ignored. This conversion is practical for most people since it is becoming more difficult to find places to test the gauges locally. It is not really recommended for people canning at higher altitudes since a dial gauge only has to go to 12# pressure whereas a 'rocker' canner has to go to 15#, resulting in unnecessary over processing.

[NCLee]

CanNerd, thanks for the additonal info on these. I hadn't heard of them until I saw the post in another forum. Good point, with bringing up altitude adjustments.

A reply to that thread, stated that adding washers can adjust the 10 lb assembly for higher altitude canning. A washer weighing 1/2 the amount of one of the 5# weights that come with the adjustable regulator, would be a good starting point to test what size washer that will work for the applicable altitude. A test run, canning water, would be a good idea, IMHO, to make sure that additional washer actually gives the correct pressure needed.

Also, according to Ball, the 15 lb weight is OK for higher altitude canning. If anyone is interested here's the link for altitude adjustment, as I don't have any experience with it. http://www.freshpreserving.com/filebin/AltitudeLowAcid.pdf

Sissy, thanks for reminding me. A new Ace Hardware has recently opened in a neighboring town. I've been planning to stop by for a "look-see". You've just given me the excuse that I needed to do some isle walking. Thanks!

Lee

[Anon001]

I have an All-American pressure canner that uses no gasket. It has the gauge and the weighted rocker. The book that came with it actually tells the owner to go by the weighted rocker, no matter what the gauge reads. So, I do. lol

[NCLee]

Hey, Paul, that's what us Presto folks are starting to do, too! LOL

BTW, just finished testing my old Presto (manual dated 1971) with the new regulator. Haven't used it in years. Worked just fine with the new regulator and a new gasket. (Had the replacement gasket for years, too. Was surprised that it hadn't deteriorated.)

Now to defrost those 2 turkeys in the freezer and get busy canning. A few other things in the freezer need to be canned, too. Planning to use that space to make some homemade ice blocks to use if the power goes out. Atlantic is getting really active and I don't know how many more passes we're gonna get before one heads straight for us.

Lee

[Anon001]

I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[Mom_of_Four]

Thanks for the link! I think I'll order one because I have trouble keeping my Presto at 10 pounds. I have an electric cooktop and it often keeps me standing nearby to adjust the temperature over and over.

[Primevci]

I know this is a old thread but at what rate do i want that 3 piece rocking at i just picked one up last weekend

[CanNerd]

Just keep it rocking, which indicates it is at the correct pressure and is releasing excess pressure. That's the simplicity of it, you don't have to stand there and watch it.

After it gets a regular rocking motion I will lower the heat to med-high and see how far it settles down. You might even be able to go down to medium heat and still maintain a guaranteed rocking motion. All heat sources are a little different.

[DM]

Once i get my American Canner up to pressure, i can turn the flame (propane) waaaay down and still keep pressure...

DM

[Primevci]

i was just curious i i herd someone said 2 to 3 rocks per minute maybe she said it wrong

[CanNerd]

There is a Mirro brand that hardly rocks at all so I don't know how people tell it is even at pressure. The 3-piece on a Presto has a good rock to it and is comforting to watch.

[Primevci]

the great thing is i sent a email to presto CS and asked if the dial gauges are calibrated and tested before they ship the lady says its should probably be ok.. when i got that reply i took your advice and got the 3 piece rocker.. my weighted gauge rocked at 9lbs on the dial...:blink:

[CanNerd]

That is scary to have a person make such an unprofessional statement, but at least your gauge was on the low side. You would have overprocessed your food but far better than if it had been off in the other direction.

You made a very wise decision. Pat yourself on the back.

[Primevci]

Yea really it was the probably should be that really got to me.. on s side note i was talking to my general foreman about canning told him i got a 3 piece weight gauge because i don't want to test my dial every year he begins to tell me he has been canning for 5 years and never had his tested and thanked me for giving him the heads up on getting the gauge tested... maybe he will keep me around longer :) plus i gave him jalapeno jelly so yeah as i see it i should have a job for at the very least the rest of the year lol j/k... thanks for the help CanNerd..

[CanNerd]

You're welcome and you've already done your quota by helping someone else. :)

[NotSoFast]

The first time I canned I kept it rocking hard and almost ran out of water.

I learned that I can turn the heat down to medium (I have an electric stove) and I will get a gentle rocking that gives me good results and I will still have a good amount of water in the bottom of the canner when I am done. The idea is to get it rocking and keep it that way but you don't have to get it going hard.

[Pigzzilla]

I have 2 older 22qt Mirro canners. 1978 & 1980. They use the 5#, 10#, 15# weight. No gauge to worry about testing. The Mirro instructions say the weight should jiggle gently about 4 times a minute. It lets the tinyest bit of steam out with each jiggle so it maintains the 10# pressure at my altitude. I do keep 2 extra gaskets and 2 extra over-pressure plugs put away. Usually change the gasket every 5 years and have never had to replace the plug.

pigz

[NCLee]

the great thing is i sent a email to presto CS and asked if the dial gauges are calibrated and tested before they ship the lady says its should probably be ok.. when i got that reply i took your advice and got the 3 piece rocker.. my weighted gauge rocked at 9lbs on the dial...:blink:

That was the right answer. Too bad she didn't explain why. There's no way of knowing what happens to canners during shipping. The calibration may be perfect when it leaves the factory, yet be way off by the time a person brings it into their kitchen.

I had the problem, before getting the 3 piece regulator, that I couldn't turn down the gas stove low enough to keep the pressure from creeping up during processing. If I didn't baby sit and periodically turn off the burner for a bit, the pressure would creep up to 16 lbs.

Now, with the adjustable regulator, it holds pressure fine at a little more than the lowest flame setting. It only takes a gentle rock to hold the pressure steady.

IMHO, the best way to learn the rate is to watch the dial. That's what I did when I first got mine. Once the canner came up to enough pressure to jiggle the regulator, I watched the reading on the dial as I adjusted the flame. (This was a trial run - no food in the canner.) Kept "playing" with it until I found the sweet spot that would give a slow steady rock that held the pressure where I wanted it.

In your case, once the regulator rocks and you dial shows 9 lbs, keep turning down the heat to the point where your dial still shows a constant 9 lbs and the regulator gently rocks. The rocking indicates you have 11 lbs in the canner. Less energy needed. Less water loss from the canner due to releasing excess steam.

Hope this helps.
Lee

[Anon001]

the great thing is i sent a email to presto CS and asked if the dial gauges are calibrated and tested before they ship the lady says its should probably be ok.. when i got that reply i took your advice and got the 3 piece rocker.. my weighted gauge rocked at 9lbs on the dial...:blink:

All gauges should be tested whether new or not. In talking with the extension agent, she told me that you would be surprised how many times people order new gauges that are not correct. The companies will usually replace them when that occurs.

To be on the safe side, always have them checked. My extension office doesn't even have to heat up the canner. Now, they have the equipment that allows me to take in just the lid for them to test and it only takes a couple minutes.

Paul

[CapeCMom]

I am kind of glad now that my presto only came with the three piece rocker regulator and no gauge. I think I would be fretting whether that gauge was properly tested or not. I've just learned to listen to the rocking to know that the canner is at proper pressure. I don't think I have anyone around here who would be able to test one of those gauges anyway.

[midmo]

Just out of curiosity (and hopefully not too far OT), why would anyone ever opt for a gauged canner vs. a rocker weight? Are there advantages to using a gauge that outweigh the inconvenience of having to have it calibrated, and the uncertainty of knowing whether it's really telling you the truth at any given time?

I've always used the rocker weight and it's dead simple. Can't for the life of me figure out why somebody would want to muck it up with a mechanical device?

[Anon001]

A rocker weight is not as "reliable" as a gauge, especially if you've never used a gauge with that particular canner. The rate at which the weight rocks will vary from one brand to the next. Also, different individuals have a different "sense" of what is a fast rock or a slow rock. In my personal opinion, no one should ever use a canner without a gauge if they aren't very very experienced at canning, especially with a particular canner.

I like my All-American best. It has both the gauge and the weight.

Paul

[JulieBaby]

Thanks for the recommendation, Lee. I ordered mine this morning. :)

[CanNerd]

I see it more an issue of access to services where the dial gauge can be regularly tested. Years ago that was not much of a problem, but it is in urban and other areas were people are doing casual or weekend canning. Many Extensions are also giving up the practice of testing and lots of master canners are relying on the 'rocker' gauges rather than the dial. I've found no evidence that a 'rocker' weight is not reliable since its whole purpose is to release excess pressure.

There is a definite advantage of a dial gauge at higher altitudes since you can adjust the pressure in 1°F increments. With a rocker gauge your only option is to move from 10# to a 15# weight.

There is no value or logic in buying an expensive dial gauge canner if you have no ability locally to have the dial tested for safety on a regular basis.

[Pigzzilla]

I read somewhere that some radiator repair shops will test the gauge. I do not know if this is correct or not, just passing it on. It would be worth a phone call or two for those needing to get a gauge tested and no extension office nearby. ...pigz

[Anon001]

I've found no evidence that a 'rocker' weight is not reliable since its whole purpose is to release excess pressure

When I made that statement, I meant that the rocker is always reliable but the person doing the canning is not, unless they are experienced enough to know what a rocker weight looks like when it is rocking.

Personally speaking....

Most of our canners are not what I would call "master canners".

I will always stand by the position that a beginner needs to use a gauge AND rocker until he/she learns how the rocker should act. Many of us on here are fine with no gauge, but it is not for beginner canners.

Paul

[NCLee]

Just out of curiosity (and hopefully not too far OT), why would anyone ever opt for a gauged canner vs. a rocker weight? Are there advantages to using a gauge that outweigh the inconvenience of having to have it calibrated, and the uncertainty of knowing whether it's really telling you the truth at any given time?

I've always used the rocker weight and it's dead simple. Can't for the life of me figure out why somebody would want to muck it up with a mechanical device?

In answer to your question, IMHO, it's price and availability. Around here, the only canners that I ever see for sale are Presto. (Unless something has changed they come with a dial and a 15 lb regulator.) It's the brand that sold in discount stores, hardware stores, and feed/seed/farm type stores, too. May be a regional thing.

By adding the adjustable regulator, the canner has both methods available for determining the pressure.

Agree with Paul having the dial makes it much easier to learn to use a canner with a weighted regulator only. For those new to canning one person's "jiggle" may be another persons "jitterbug". Being able to watch the dial made it much easier for me to get the feel for using the adjustable regulator.

The added benefit is that with one of those, there's no need to get the dial tested annually anymore. When the regulator moves, 11 lbs pressure has been reached. Then, look at the dial to see what it registers. It'll either be showing 11 lbs or +/- by x number 11 lbs. Thus, the variance, if any, can be easily seen at home. (Low altitude canning.) My dial runs a hair over 11 lbs pressure when the 10 lb weight moves.

Further, once the person knows how to "read" the movement of the adjustable regulator, then even if the dial gauge quits working the person can still use the canner.

Just 2 more pennies, this morning.

Lee