Presto Electric Pressure Canner Review: Safe, Approved, and Worth It?

So many many questions about using the Presto electric pressure canner. Is it safe? Is it approved? Not yet, but you might be pleased to hear what I found.

First I’ll say I do not own this canner but I have used a friends. My comments here are based on that experience and on the safety aspects and what I see coming from extension services and the NCFHFP. I’m super hopeful! What I found was actually encouraging.

My Current Verdict

I don’t own his canner yet, but I’m encouraged by my research, though I’d still like to see more independent testing before giving it an unconditional recommendation.

• What I like – It is so automatic! Very easy to use, beginner friendly.
• What concerns me – Needs complete independent testing. This is in progress, and I have high expectations that it will do well. Currently all safety claims are from Presto’s own testing process.
• Who it’s best for – people who don’t have a canning compatible stove.

Presto Electric Pressure Canner – link to purchase on Amazon

Is the Presto Electric Pressure Canner Approved?

It comes down to this.  The National Center for Home Food Preservation has not approved the canner, however, they stop short of saying it is unsafe… it is just untested by them. 

I don’t believe they really endorse any specific brands. The USDA provides guidelines for safe canning methods and processing times. It is up to manufacturers to design equipment that can meet those requirements and to validate their own testing.

Is the Presto Electric Canner Safe?

The Presto company has done their own testing to determine that they comply with USDA recommendations. You have to trust that research. They suggest using standard processing times in accordance with USDA guidelines.

Side note: I do think it is a little sneaky putting that symbol on the box that LOOKS like it is a USDA-approved product. It really is not. Presto has done testing that indicates that (according to Presto) they satisfy USDA recommendations.

From what I understand, one of the extensions is in the process of testing the canner. I’ll be sure and update this article when those results come out. I actually expect good results. Time will tell.

Do I trust the testing?

This is the main question behind all this isn’t it?

For me, it comes down to how comfortable I am with the idea of a newer, technology-driven canner handling a process that I’ve been doing for so many years. This canner works so very differently.

• With traditional pressure canners, I can see the pressure, hear it, and adjust it myself. There’s a level of hands-on control that has been a part of what I do for so long. It “feels” right and familiar.
• With an electric canner like this one, the process is much more automated. It’s measuring and adjusting internally rather than relying on me to manage pressure manually. That’s not automatically a bad thing, but it does feel very different. (see more below on how the canner works)

Right now, I don’t see anything that makes me uncomfortable about how the unit is designed to function, and I appreciate that it removes some of the guesswork and fiddling with the flame on my stove.

If I did not have the 2 pressure canners that I have used and loved for many years, I would be likely to get the electric version.

With other pressure cookers (smaller than a canner) that claim they are safe for home canning, I don’t fully trust the testing.  I would not recommend any other electric appliance for pressure canning. They are experts at their niche… pressure cooking. Not home canning.

With Presto…. Well Presto has been in the canning business for many years.  I would tend to trust their testing.  Especially since extensions seem  to use optimistic language when they discuss the canner.

There is an article from the Kansas State Extension that is encouraging.

https://enewsletters.k-state.edu/youaskedit/2021/03/17/presto-digital-pressure-canner/

They basically state that you’ll need to trust Presto’s processes and testing methods. The seem to indicate that Presto is on the right track… but don’t specifically endorse it.

How the Presto Electric pressure canner works

I do not have one of these canners. I’ve already got 2 traditional canners that suit my needs. I may someday purchase one of these to try it out. But I do have experience with how it works. I recently I attended a canning meat workshop where we used an electric canner that someone brought.

It seemed to work well. It was an extension service doing the workshop and I was actually surprised that she’d even use it for a workshop until the canners have been endorsed. But she did. And emphasized how easy it is. 🤷‍♀️

Presto Electric Canner Measures Temperature

This is where I was surprised….. You do not have to put in the pressure needed. The Presto electric pressure canner handles all adjustments to its temperatures not pressure.

Presto Electric Pressure Canner – link to purchase on Amazon

The way traditional pressure canning works; Each food type needs a specific amount of time at a specific temperature. The testing is done to determine what pressure is needed to achieve the correct temperature for that time. High altitudes need a different pressure than low altitudes.

In the case of the Presto electric canner… it is measuring exact temperature, not pressure. So the machine does its thing to get to the right temperature no matter where you live. High or low elevation.

This canner tracks time for you.

Traditionally, you also manually track time for the entire canning process. This includes venting, coming to pressure, processing time and cool down time. This canner does all this for you.

What This Canner Does NOT Do For You

One thing I think is important to understand is that even the smartest canner can’t make canning completely automatic.

The canner can control the processing cycle. That’s great. But there are still several parts of safe home canning that are entirely up to you.

Recipe Safety

The canner doesn’t know whether you’re using a tested recipe.

It can’t tell if a recipe came from a trusted source, if the ingredient proportions are safe, or if processing recommendations are appropriate for the food you’re preserving. Choosing a safe, tested recipe is still your responsibility.

Ingredient Substitutions

The canner also can’t tell when ingredients have been changed. Swapping vegetables, changing amounts, adding thickeners, or making other recipe adjustments can affect how safely a food can be canned. The machine will run the same cycle regardless of what’s inside the jar.

Headspace

Proper headspace is still important. Too much or too little space in the jar can affect sealing and food quality. The canner doesn’t measure headspace for you, so you’ll still need to follow recipe instructions carefully.

Jar Preparation

You’ll still need to inspect jars for cracks or chips, use clean equipment, and prepare everything according to current canning recommendations.

Packing Methods

Whether a recipe calls for raw pack or hot pack is still your decision to follow. Following the recipe’s packing instructions is part of the process and can affect the final quality and safety of your food.

The Bottom Line

A digital canner can help manage the processing portion of canning, but it doesn’t replace good canning practices. You can’t just put food in a jar, fire up this canner and call it good. Safe home canning starts long before the jars go into the canner.

This electric canner can also be used as a water bath.

It can also be used for a water bath canner! I didn’t realize that either until I saw how to do it on the instruction sheets. It is a multi use tool for your kitchen. Love those multi use tools!

btw – Ball also sells an electric Water Bath Canner. You can find my thoughts on that here.

For those new to canning –

• vegetables are low acid foods and need the pressure canner.
• fruit, jams or jellies, pickles are high acid and only need the water bath.

You can read more about canning method and how to know which to use.

How many jars will it hold?

USDA guidelines state that a pressure canner should be able to hold a minimum of 4 quart jars. So this does meet those recommendations, but its capacity is relatively small. The canner lists its capacity at 12 quarts, but that is just liquid capacity. That is not how many jars it will hold.

The Presto Electric Pressure Canner holds 5 quart jars and 8 pint jars. This is smaller than many canners. What is considered a standard canner will hold 7 quart jars and 9 pint jars.

For someone who cans a few batches of vegetables or broth each year, this size may be perfectly adequate. If you’re putting up a large garden harvest, the smaller capacity could become frustrating.

Presto Electric Pressure Canner – link to purchase on Amazon

My Biggest concerns about Digital Canners

My main concern revolves around making sure that beginners understand the importance of following every step of the canning process for safe and successful food storage.

Safe canning guidelines include more than just processing. – SimplyCanning

You might initially think using an electric canner is a breeze—just place the food in the jar, load it into the canner, set the time, and hit start. However, it’s important to know to that safe canning involves more than just processing.

Canning itself isn’t a complicated process but as I always say,

With home canning, get it right. Good news… Right is Not Hard!

Simply Canning

Frequently Asked Questions

“Canning is not Cooking”

SimplyCanning.com

Resources
https://enewsletters.k-state.edu/youaskedit/2019/07/12/new-canner-from-presto/ https://enewsletters.k-state.edu/youaskedit/2021/03/17/presto-digital-pressure-canner/ https://www.gopresto.com/content/support/facs-resources
https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/pnw421.pdf

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