All American vs Presto Pressure Canners – Which One is Best?

In the world of home canning, pressure canners are an important tool for preserving food. Two of the most popular brands are All American and Presto. How do they compare to each other?

Let’s take a closer look (I own both). I’ll compare their design, pros and cons for each and help you determine which one is best for you.

I’ve included a video review comparing each, and a full article write up below with extra information.

Video Review of the All American and Presto Pressure Canner.

Which one is the Best Pressure Canner?

In this video, I push a little on the All American, but I have to add now that since I’ve gotten an adjustable weight for my presto canner (more on that below), my Presto gets used MUCH more than my All American. I still like both canners…but they are on equal footing now in my book.    

Similarities of the All American and Presto Pressure Canners

Both Presto and All American canners have similar safety features,

• They both have a rubber overpressure safety plug. (I call this the mighty plug in my Canning Confidence workshop)
• Though the style of locking is different they both securely lock down for processing.
• They both have a thin metal canning rack that holds the jars just up off the bottom of the canner.
• They both have a vent pipe for a pressure regulator.
• They both have a dial to help you determine where the pressure is during processing.

Pressure Canner Sizes

First let me say that a pressure cooker-canner is only suitable for canning if it will hold a minimum of 4 quart jars sitting upright. There are some smaller pots that are labeled cooker-canner but they are only good for cooking dinner. Not for food preservation.

I’ve got a full list just below but here are some highlights.

Both Presto and All American have canners that come in a variety of sizes that you might want.

• The smallest suitable for canning will hold 4 quart jars or 7 pint jars.
• A standard size that many people use holds 7 quart jars, or 8 or 9 pint jars.
• A step up from that will hold 7 quart jars but is tall enough to layer or stack pint jars which allows for processing 18 pint jars at a time. (this is what I own and love)

The All American Canner also has some larger sizes for the serious pantry.

• The All American has a canner that is tall enough to double stack pint or quart jars. They will hold 14 quart jars or 19 pint jars. (This is a big tall canner.)
• And the biggest monster canner is tall and bigger around. It allows for 19 quarts or 32 pints. That is a lot of jars in one batch! (I’ve never even seen one of these. I’ve nicknamed it Gigantor!)

Keep in mind with the very tall canners that you need to be aware of the size and dimensions. Most home kitchens have a hood over the stove. You’ll need to get measurements and make sure these taller canners will even fit.

List of Pressure Canner Size and Capacity

Please note! The canner costs listed below are approximate as of the date of this post. As you know pricing changes constantly. And these manufacturers offer sales quite often. Especially check them out for holiday sales like Black Friday.

Presto sizes

• Model 01755 – Capacity 16 Quarts (liquid) / Holds 10 Pints, 7 Quarts / approx. $180
• Model 01781 – Capacity 23 Quarts (liquid) / Holds 7 Quarts or 20 Pints / approx. $150-200
• Model 01784 -Capacity 23 Quarts (liquid) / Holds 7 Quarts or 20 Pints / approx. $190(induction compatible)

All American sizes

• Model 910 – Capacity – 10 1/2 Quarts (liquid) / Holds 7 Pint Jars, 4 Quart Jars / approx. $350
• Model 915 – Capacity – 15 1/2 Quarts (liquid), Holds 10 Pint Jars, 7 Quart Jars / approx. $400
• Model 921– Capacity – 21 1/2 Quarts (liquid), Holds 19 Pint Jars, 7 Quart Jars / approx. $450
• Model 925 – Capacity – 25 Quarts (liquid), Holds 19 Pint Jars, 7 Quart Jars / approx. $500
• Model 930 – Capacity – 30 Quarts (liquid), Holds 19 Pint Jars, 14 Quart Jars / approx. $550 (the Big and Tall Guy!)
• Model 941– Capacity – 41 1/2 Quarts (liquid), Holds 32 Pint Jars, 19 Quart Jars / approx. $650(Gigantor!)

Induction Stoves

One of the Presto Canner models is induction stove compatible. Model 01784 (listed above) has a specially designed stainless steel base that works for induction stoves. It is a 23 quart liquid capacity and will hold 7 quart and 20 pints.

As far as I know, it is the only induction ready canner available. (If you know of another please leave a comment below and I’ll check it out.) Presto states it works on gas, electric, smooth-top, and induction ranges. I’ve got a full page on canning on an induction stovetop that walks through your options.

What About an Electric Pressure Canner?

Presto also makes a digital electric pressure canner, and people ask me about it often. It’s not the same as either canner above — neither the USDA nor the National Center for Home Food Preservation certifies or approves any canning equipment, electric or stovetop, so “approved” isn’t really the right word for any of these. Presto has done its own testing against USDA guidelines, and I’ve got a full, honest breakdown of what I found encouraging and what still gives me pause on my electric pressure canner review.

Expert Tip – Bigger is not always better!

I own both Presto and the All American Canners. When I was looking for my All American I considered the tallest one to stack quart jars… but it would not fit on my stove. My kitchen hood is too low. I do some canning outside so I could have gotten the biggest one but I opted for the next size down.

I’ve never regretted not going for the biggest canner. Both the Presto and All American Pressure Canners that I have allow me to process a standard 7 quart jars but are also tall enough to stack pint jars.

The biggest one is sure tempting. Yes you’ll be able to process more at a time but there are trade offs.

• Size – will the canner even fit on your stove?
• Do you have the storage space when it is not in use?
• Weight – All American Canners are already fairly heavy, the bigger they are the heavier they get.

Now having said that…. if you’ve got the space, and plan on doing some serious canning those tall canners might be what you want.

Differences

Gasket? Or No Gasket?

Presto has a rubber gasket inside the rim of the lid. This gasket seals the lid to the body and allows pressure to build inside the canner.

The gasket may need to be replaced every couple of years depending on how much you can. You’ll know when the rubber starts to get hard or you can’t get the canner to seal up right. It might be time for a new gasket.

Replacement gaskets are easy to find — Amazon usually has what you need, and if you’ve got a local Ace Hardware, they typically carry Presto parts too.

All American has no gasket. It seals metal-to-metal. There are handles around the lid to screw the lid to the body of the canner.

Dial Gauge vs. Weighted Gauge Canners

The Presto Pressure canner is a dial gauge. An added regulator makes it a weighted guage.

With a Presto you will watch this gauge to determine the pressure build up in the canner. This gauge needs to be checked for accuracy every year. The one piece weight included with a new canner is just a counter weight and is not adjustable.

The good news is… the Presto Pressure canner can also be used as a weighted gauge canner with the purchase of a 3 piece adjustable regulator.

Did you know? The All American canner is not a dial gauge canner.

The All American Pressure canner has a dial so you might assume it is a dial guage canner. It makes sense. BUT they are used as a weighted gauge canner. The dial is just an indicator of approximate pressure buildup. All American manufacturer states to rely on the weight not the dial. The weights are what is used to determine when pressure is correct. 

Other Considerations

Metal Quality

The All American canner is heavier. That pot will last forever! Some very old All American Canners are still in use. Some people like the heavier weight…it feels solid. Some feel like it is too heavy to handle easily.  

The Presto is a lighter weight metal. It is still designed for pressure canning, so it is still safe. And it is still a long lasting canner. I’ve got the one my mother gave me, I’ve read many stories of canners lasting through generations.

Cost

The All American runs roughly $350 to $550 today depending on size, while a Presto typically lands around $150 to $200 for a comparable capacity. I paid $199.99 for my All American back in 2011 — prices have climbed a fair amount since then, so if you’re pricing one out now, expect more than what old reviews or forum posts might quote you.

My Presto came even earlier, from my local Ace Hardware, so I don’t have a record of what I paid for that one. But between the two, the price gap has always been real, not just “a little more.” Some of that comes down to the metal-to-metal seal and heavier cast construction on the All American — no gasket to ever replace, but you’re paying for that upfront. I do think it’s worth it if the price fits your budget.

However, If $150 versus $450 is the difference between canning this season and waiting, get the Presto. It’s a genuinely good canner, and I’ve gotten years of solid use out of mine.

Where to Buy Pressure Canners

• The All American canner that I have can be purchased from Amazon here… 
• Presto Pressure Canners can be purchased at most Ace Hardware stores or online at Amazon.com. I think Walmart might carry them too.

Replacement parts can be found online. And again Ace Hardware is a great place to find Presto parts.

You can also find pressure canners second hand. Estate sales, friends of friends. Look around, get the word out that you are in the market for a used canner and you never know who has one on their shelf that they never use and might let it go for a good price.

Frequently Asked Questions