Steam canners can be used as a substitute for a water bath canner. They use only a few inches of water in the bottom of the pot rather than filling the pot up to completely submerge your jars.
Remember there are 3 types of canners used for processing either high acid or low acid foods.
- Pressure canners – used for meats and vegetables. (low acid foods)
- Waterbath canners – used for most fruits, jam and jellies, and pickled items. (high acid foods)
- Steam canners – also used for most fruits, jam and jellies, and pickled items. (high acid foods)
A steam canner cannot substitute for the pressure canner.
The steam canner I am referring to on this page should not be mixed up with a pressure canner. Which is sometimes referred to as a steam-pressure canner. Thus the confusion.
What I am referring to here is a shallow pot with a tall cover that will fit over quart-sized canning jars. No pressure is involved in steam canning.
There is another style of steam canner that doubles for a waterbath. This canner has a dial in the lid to indicate temperature. I discuss the differences towards the bottom of the page so if yours doesn’t look like this check below.
How Do Steam Canners Work?
Steam canners are similar to water-bath canners. They are both used to process high acid home-canned food. However, there are some definite differences not only in how they work, but in time and ease of use.
Is it recommended? I was notified of some great information on the Safety and Extension guidelines. I’m so tickled at this information! Really… Read more here…
If you’ve heard that steam canning is not recommended, there is more information out there. Really click on this link if you are concerned about the safety of steam canning. Read more here…
Steam Canner vs the Waterbath, what is the benefit?
This point is short and sweet. and so true! Unlike a water bath, a steam canner uses only approximately a quart and a half of water when processing jars of home-canned food. A water bath canner may require up to four gallons of water to fill up the canner and cover the jars. As a result home canning with steam is faster because heating a quart and a half of water obviously takes less time.
How to use a Steam Canner
1. Place the appropriate amount of water in the base. Place the perforated cover over the base and bring water to a low boil.
2. Pack and fill jars. Secure lids firmly, but not over-tight. Set each full jar on the base and allow it to warm up while pack- ing and filling enough jars for one batch.
3. When the last full jar has warmed up for 1-2 minutes, place the dome on the base and slowly (4-5 minutes) increase the temperature setting of the stove until a column of steam 8-10 inches is evident from the small holes at the base of the dome.
4. Begin timing the process, maintaining the column of steam following the water bath canning recommendations adjusted for your altitude. Do not reduce temperature setting of the stove. The dome should not bounce from the base during processing.
5. When processing time is complete, turn off the stove and wait 2-3 minutes before removing the dome. Remove the dome by turning it away from your face and body to avoid burns.
6. Allow jars to cool and seal. Remove metal bands and store the jars in a cool dark place.
Utah State University PDF http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/newsletter/No__002.pdf
Wisconsin State University PDF – http://winnebago.uwex.edu/files/2015/06/Steam-Canning-PDF1.pdf
Two Styles
There are two styles of steam canners that I am aware of. The traditional setup has a shallow pan as the bottom and a deep lid that fits over your jars.
Kathy made this comment on SimplyCannings Facebook page… and she has a great point.
This stainless steel canner doubles for both water bath and steam. Super cool to have one pot for both uses!
This is the canner that I use and love for both water bath and steam canning.
Related pages
Reader Comments
Jacqueline Says:
I have had a steam canner for at least 35 years and would use no other. Mine is almost worn out from yearly use! It is very easy to use and, I feel it is safer than the hot water canner.
I leave the lid on the canner for one hour after turning off the burner, then I remove the jars and put them on a folded tea towel. Then I put in the next load.
I find if I boil the water at a med-high heat (rather than high) and leave the jars in the canner for an hour, they do not lose the liquid when the heated jars hit the cooler air.
(Sharon adds: As long as the water is still boiling a low boil is fine)
I also can my fruits with honey rather than sugar.
I now use cloth gloves with a rubber coating on them (renovation and construction gloves by Horizon) to take jars out of the canner or to hold jars I am filling with hot jam. It works very well. No burning of the hands or slipping of the jars. These gloves are available at hardware stores.
Anonymous says:
I have been canning for about 3 years now, so I’m relatively new to the art. Started with a water bath Canner, but a friend told me about the ease of steam canning so I bought one. I’ve had no problems with fruit and high acid foods canned in it, in fact it’s made canning a pleasure for me.
No spoilage, no sealing failures, and when canning fruit it heats the jars up nicely (the liquid inside is still boiling when time’s up)Steam can get hotter than boiling water, so I don’t know what the gov. is about when saying the jars don’t heat up enough.
I would definitely recommend it. But make sure you follow directions. There are two little holes that steam escapes from and these need to be emitting about an 8 inch stream before starting the timer.
When in doubt, follow directions!
I can only assume that the companies that make mason jars, also make water bath canners, so maybe there’s a bit of self interest there?
It bears repeating: The Steam canner is for FRUIT and High Acid foods ONLY. When I can meat/veggies I use a Pressure Canner.
just bought a steam canner. You are right – I will never go back.
What I love is now that my family is grown, I am putting up smaller jars that always tilt on the rack in the old water bath canner. I was never sure if they would seal.
In the steam canner the rack is smooth and the jars don’t tilt, plus you can put more jars in. I bought one with an altitude gauge on the top, so as soon as the arrow hits the zone for my altitude, I start my timer. Easy! Love it!
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Sharon Peterson is a wife, mom of 4 sons, home gardener and home food preservation fanatic! Click here to find out more.
I haven’t canned anything yet but reading about the steam canner vs water bath and pressure. One of my interests is to can tomato sauce and salsa…can that be done in a steam canner?
Hi Kari, One of the conditions of using a steam canner is that the processing time must be 45 minutes or less including any altitude adjustments. So it really depends on the recipe you are using and your altitude. In my case, I live at a high altitude which requires added time and some tomato directions for me require 45 minutes or more. Some recipes I can steam canner, some I can not. So check your directions and processing time.