Electric Pressure Canner

So many many questions about using an electric pressure canner. Is it safe? What about the one from Presto? First I’ll say I do not have personal experience using one of these canners. My comments here are only on the safety aspects and what I see coming from extension services and the NCFHFP. You might be pleased to hear what I found.

Presto Electric Pressure Canner

Let’s start with the Presto Electric Pressure Canner – link to purchase on Amazon

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. 

The Presto company has done their own testing to determine that they comply with USDA recommendations. You have to trust that research. I do think it is a little sneaky putting that little 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.

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. And they recommend that you use Presto instructions with that canner.  NCFHFP recipes are not developed with this Presto electric pressure canner in mind.

It’s a matter of personal choice and comfort level on this one.

I have not totally made up my mind on this but, would lean towards trusting Presto.  They have been in the canning business for a long time and have always recommended safe practices in the past as far as I know.  It is a personal decision. I am strongly considering getting one and trying it out…. I’ve thought for years that if someone would come up with such a beast it would be a good thing! Just remember it is up to you.

What about other brands of electric pressure cooker/canners?

I would not recommend any other electric appliance for Pressure Canning. They are experts at their niche… pressure cooking. Not home canning. I talk more about canning in pressure cookers here…

What about stovetop pressure cookers with canning instructions?

There are many brands of pressure cookers. Remember a cooker is not the same as a canner. A cooker is a smaller pot that is great for cooking dinner. I talk more about canning in cookers here. Basically, I would not recommend it. Again you’d have to trust the testing process of these companies and their specialty is not canning. I would not feel comfortable doing that and can not recommend it.

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

Sharon

Hi there and Welcome!

I am Sharon Peterson, author of Simply Canning Guide and teacher of food preservation classes at Simply Canning School.

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