In the market for a pressure canner

[mtwildflower]

I am looking to buy a pressure canner and am having a hard time deciding which one to buy. I have a glass top stove that I have water bath canned on with no problem.

I like the idea of being able to can 14 quarts at once, but I am wondering if that's actually as fast as two 23 quart canners since there is so much water to heat up.

Also, I did score a used pressure canner at a garage sale about ten years ago but I have never used it. It never came with instructions and I am a little wary of trying, I guess. Has anyone seen one like this ( I tried to look on-line to see if I can buy a manual and have had no luck. ) It also has a strange flexible button type thing on the top, which my husband says he has never seen and doesn't know what it's for.


The next two are from the top of the lid.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/mtwildflower/P4080275.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/mtwildflower/P4080277.jpg

This one is on the bottom of the lid, inside the canner.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/mtwildflower/P4080278.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/mtwildflower/P4080280.jpg

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

That looks to be your Pressure Relief Valve. It's a safety feature. Presto is a popular brand and has been around a long time. You should be able to find info on it somewhere, easily.

Here's a start... http://www.cookingandcanning.net/prestoparts2.html

[CanNerd]

It probably has a rubber gasket under the lid that probably need to be replaced after that much time unused. *The dial gauge would also have to be tested at a local Extension to make sure it was accurate. *The other weight looks more like something from a pressure "cooker" and not a canner, but it would be the pressure regular, a kind of safety valve that lets off steam if pressure got too high, in addition to the tiny pop up one.

You could run it through its paces with just water in it to just see how it performs. *As for the stove, you may have a problem if the canner does not have a flat bottom.

Presto Canner Parts (http://www.pressurecooker-outlet.com/prestoparts.htm)

[Anon001]

You also mentioned that you are looking for a new canner? I bought a new one about 5 or 6 years ago. It is the type that has NO gasket. I really like it. I got it from Lehman's. It has a gage and weights which I like in case the gage fails, I have a head's up on it. I believe the weight is both 10 and 15.... Anyway, I like the idea of not having to worry about a gasket wearing out or trying to find a replacement gasket, etc.

Paul

[MHinFox]

if you cant find a number for the rubber seal take your canner to hardware store and you can find one that will fit right had the same problem finding numbers on an old maid o honor system i came across the only problem I have had with my newer one presto was i used it on electric burner style oven after about 7000 or more jars bottom started to bow some where elements were used to heat it and hd to get rid of it and get new one...LOL felt like got fir use of it though.anytime one sart to misshapen get rid of it. Old maid of honor still kicking and goodness probably 10-15 years old when i get it 10-15 years ago..LOL

[MHinFox]

OH pretty easy to finds new pop it valves and seals.and easy to have canner guage checked...theya re really handy

[mtwildflower]

It probably has a rubber gasket under the lid that probably need to be replaced after that much time unused. *The dial gauge would also have to be tested at a local Extension to make sure it was accurate. *The other weight looks more like something from a pressure "cooker" and not a canner, but it would be the pressure regular, a kind of safety valve that lets off steam if pressure got too high, in addition to the tiny pop up one.

You could run it through its paces with just water in it to just see how it performs. *As for the stove, you may have a problem if the canner does not have a flat bottom.

Presto Canner Parts (http://www.pressurecooker-outlet.com/prestoparts.htm)

Yes, I am sure I need to replace the gasket and get the pressure gauge checked.

We did boil water in it a couple months back and the steam leaks out everywhere, so I know it needs gaskets.

And my husband says that it makes sense that this is a pressure cooker instead of canner ( he's done it before) I will explore that a bit more.

Thanks so much for your help everyone. *

And sorry my pictures were so big! It's iritating.