All American Canner: Why is My Canner Leaking Steam?

This page may contain affiliate links. More Information.

All American Canner

“Steam keeps coming out from the edges of my All American canner, and I don’t know what to do.”

Welcome to our weekly Canning Chat. Today, our question is regarding your canner leaking steam around the lid. 

All American Canner Video Transcript (Edited for Clarity)

Welcome, my name is Sharon Peterson. I am with SimplyCanning.com where you can find home canning tips, tutorials, and classes. Come join me, and I will help you get your pantry filled.

It was a very brief question, about the All American canner leaking steam. I did not record the name–I apologize. I forgot to write the name down. “Wondering about escaping steam. Keeping the rim clean and using oil, still it escapes. I’m wondering what else to do.”

So this is the one problem that I do hear about with the All American canner. Sometimes steam will escape from the edge of the lid here. That’s really the only negative thing I have ever heard about the All American canner. It’s actually only happened to me once. This might be likely what’s going on with this person. I don’t know. But when you put your lid on the All American canner, you have to keep an eye on your gap right here.

Looking close at the lid of the All American Pressure Canner.

You have to keep an eye on that gap, because if you don’t put this on straight, if it’s very cockeyed–whereas this is completely closed and this is up a little bit–you can still put all those clamps down, but your lid is still crooked. Just a little bit. It’s not like you have to get a ruler out and measure. You just kind of bend down and look. Eyeball it. Just make sure it’s fairly level. Like I said, the only time I have ever had issues with my All American, that’s what it was.

I didn’t pay attention. I was in a hurry, clamped it all down and steam was coming out. My lid was just crooked. So I just adjusted it and I sealed it up, and it worked fine.

Pointing to the metal to metal seal on the lid of the All American canner.

How to Stop All American Canner Leaking Steam

Now, I have heard people recommend that you put a little bit of oil on your lid. The way the All American works, this has a slightly angled edge that fits right down on the pot, which has that same angle. So put a food grade oil–a little olive oil, coconut oil–on this rim, and then that lubricates it a little bit. Apparently, it allows it to seat down tighter. I’ve honestly never done it, and I’ve never had any issues. But that is one thing that I’ve seen recommended quite often. So try those two things and see if that helps.

If the canner still will not seal, is it new to you? If it’s a used canner, there’s a possibility that someone who had it before you boiled it dry and the canner is warped a little bit. It would take a pretty good amount of heat to warp this canner, but it’s a possibility.

The only other option is if it’s a new canner to you, then I would suggest contacting All American and seeing if they have any suggestions for you.

Where are All American Canners Made?

They are made by the Wisconsin Foundry, which is what you need to look for. If you Google “Wisconsin Foundry,” you can find the makers of the All American canner and check it out.

So I hope that was helpful. You guys have a wonderful afternoon. Happy canning! We’ll talk to you later.

Looking down at the large and bulky All American Pressure Canner.

What’s the Best Pressure Canner: All American or Presto?

I have a page here that compares the All American pressure canner with the Presto pressure canner.

The All American Canner sitting on the stovetop.

Would you like to receive notifications when more Canning Chats are released?

More Canning Chats:

Canning a Vegetable Mix

How to can vegetables mix. Is it safe to add onions to green beans?

How to can vegetables in a mix of your choice. Learn the appropriate way to combine different vegetables in home canning.

Canning Process for Different Jar Sizes

Canning Process: Times & Jar Sizes

Can you adjust the canning process times for different jar sizes? Learn the answer at SimplyCanning.com.

Pin This to Find Later!

All American Canner

Page last updated: 7/2/2021

Expand Your Pantry

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
4 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Karen Krueger
Karen Krueger
2 years ago

My canner doesn’t leak around the edges, but steam and water leak out of the stem and the jiggler doesn’t jiggle like it is supposed to. Any advice?

Bert Bryan
Bert Bryan
2 years ago

I have an American canner 925 I’ve used for years, and now a 941 I just used for the second year.

No problem with the 925, but the 941 would leak steam by the right side handle.

I use olive oil on the rim, and a splash of vinegar in the water inside of the canner.

I kept adjusting the lid at slightly different angles, and found if I raised up the lid, just a little from even, right where it leaked, that it stopped leaking and seals like it should.

Joan Sparling
Joan Sparling
3 years ago

Been canning for 40 years. Just had to order a new pressure gauge as I droped mine and broke it. Totally recommend the all american pot. Mine is a 18 quart. Stumbled on your u tube site. Love it. Even after 40 years of canning I am learning a lot. Thankyou