Canning is an ideal method of preserving food. Not only does it help preserve excess fruits and vegetables but provides a great flavor and texture to the food. The best pressure canners kill all the germs and bacteria in the food.
A pressure canner is a large pot that traps steam and builds pressure. The canner heats food at a high temperature of almost 240 degrees, which allows the steam to rise and pressure to build. The lid of the canner is lined with rubber which makes it airtight and allows the pressure to steadily build.
Canning must be done under the right conditions and with the right temperature for ideal results. That is why it is important to buy the best canners available in the market.
There are a number of brands in the market that produce canners. They come in various sizes and have different features. Some canners are multifunctional and can be used as a pressure cooker as well.
Therefore, when buying a pressure canner, one must be careful. Boiling water canning is the only safe method for preserving high acid foods. It is recommended by the US Department of Agriculture for jams & jellies, fruits, salsas, pickles and tomatoes.
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Pressure Canner Features
One feature to look for in a canner is its size. Canners are available in several sizes from 19 quarts to 24-quart sizes. While the size depends on your usage, larger canners are usually much better than smaller ones. This is because you can process more in one batch.
Another feature to look for when buying the best pressure canner is the presence of a gasket. These are not ideal as they may become dislodged and will need to be replaced over time.
Safety features are extremely important when buying a pressure canner because of the high pressure which builds inside. A safety feature to look for, especially for beginners, is an automatic overpressure release which prevents too much pressure building.
Below is a list of the 7 best pressure canners today. These pressure canners offer various safety features like dishwasher safe, use durable materials, have different canning functions and come in different sizes.
So, without further ado, let’s get started:
7 Best Pressure Canners To Buy
All American 921 Canner Pressure Cooker
Overall Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Product features
Material | Aluminum |
Color | Silver |
Capacity | 1.89 Liters |
Dimensions | 16 x 15 x 17 inches |
Item Weight | 17.75 Pounds |
The All American 921 Canner is the overal best pressure canner on our list.
The company has been manufacturing canners since the 1930s and has a lot of experience under its belt.
They ensure that their products are made from the best materials available so that they last a long time.
This particular model has a large capacity and holds approximately 19 standard mouth pint jars.
This is one of the best pressure canners in the market as it’s made from hand-cast aluminum making it robust and durable.
Furthermore, the canner is finished with a satin coat that not only acts as a protective layer but also gives it a sleek finish.
The All-American canner has a phenolic top handle ensuring a tight seal.
One of its best features is that it does not have a gasket so consumers do not have to worry about it cracking, burning or replacing it.
A great feature of this canner is that it is dishwasher safe and has two automatic venting features that add a necessary layer of safety when being used.
Overall, this canner is one of the best in the market today and ideal for individuals who are new to canning.
Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Product features
Material | Aluminum |
Color | Silver |
Capacity | 21.77 Liters |
Dimensions | 15.4 x 15.1 x 14.8 inches |
Item Weight | 12 Pounds |
Presto is one of the most well-known companies when it comes to the best pressure canners and cookers.
Their products are made with durable materials and use the best technology that provides ideal canning results.
The 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker by Presto is a multifunctional appliance as it can be used for both pressure cooking and canning.
The canner is made from warp-resistant heavy-gauge aluminum.
This material ensures that the food is heated at an even yet quick pace.
Moreover, the canner has one of the best pressure dials that is not only precise but can hold the pressure for a number of temperatures.
The boiling canner is ideal for preserving fruits and vegetables such as pickles, jams, and jellies.
The canner comes with a 12-year warranty for its customers.
It is also available in extra-large size which is ideal for bigger families or people who use the canner often.
Presto 01784 23-Quart Induction Compatible Pressure Canner
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Product features
Material | Aluminum and Stainless steel |
Color | Silver |
Capacity | 23 Quarts |
Dimensions | 13.5 x 17.5 x 15.5 inches |
Item Weight | 12 Pounds |
The Presto Quart Induction Canner is a great piece of equipment for preserving food.
This particular canner by Presto is made from heavy gauge aluminum with a stainless-steel clad base to make it induction compatible.
The use of aluminum makes sure that it is strong and durable.
Moreover, the stainless-steel base makes it compatible with regular as well as induction cooktops including gas, electric, smooth top, and induction.
Not only this, the canner is extremely multifunctional in its use.
It can double as a boiling water canner as well, which can not only keep canning jars warm but is also a great technique when making jams and jellies.
The canner has a lot of capacity.
It can hold up to 26 Half-Pints, 20 Pints, 7 Quarts with a liquid capacity of 21 liters.
The canner has an air vent at the top which allows the pressure to build up only when the lid is closed preventing any accidents.
The air vent also prevents the canner from opening up until the pressure is safely reduced.
In addition, this canner also has an easy-to-read gauge that automatically registers and displays the pressure.
The presto induction canner is also easy to clean as it is dishwasher safe.
Presto 02144 12Qt Digital Canner, Black Stainless
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Product features
Material | Stainless steel |
Color | Black |
Capacity | 12 Quart |
Dimensions | 14 x 17 x 16 inches |
Item Weight | 23.4 pounds |
The Presto Digital Canner is one of the best digital canners in the market and uses the latest technology among canners.
Due to its completely digital nature, the Presto canner is very easy to use and can be used by novices.
Among the many benefits of this digitized canner are an innovative sensor that automatically detects and adjusts the temperature according to the food.
So, even if you make a mistake the canner will ensure consistent results every time.
The presto digital canner also has an LED display screen that shows the entire canning process from start to finish.
This best pressure canner also doubles as a boiling water canner which is ideal for preserving fruits, jams and jellies.
It comes with a number of in-built recipes and their standard processing times, in accordance with USDA guidelines.
The canner is also able to preheat jars and keep them warm so that even the jars are free of all germs and bacteria.
In terms of safety, the Presto digital canner has almost 10 inbuilt safety features including a cover locking system.
All these features make it ideal for individuals who are new to the canning process. In fact, even expert canners such as myself love this home canner.
NESCO Smart Canner – Best Pressure Canner for Ease of Cleaning
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Product features
Material | Aluminum |
Color | Stainless |
Capacity | 9.5 Quarts, 4 Quarts |
Dimensions | 14 x 15 x 14.5 inches |
Item Weight | 20.4 pounds |
NESCO smart canner is the ideal digital canner for beginners. It is made from nonstick aluminum making it highly durable and efficient.
In addition, this canner comes with a number of products that make the canning process easier. It includes a canning rack, safety lid, a condensation catcher and a steaming rack.
The NESCO smart canner is special because it has a digital display that performs a number of functions and timers.
The digital display makes using the canner extremely easy. Consumers can adjust the time and pressure with just the push of a button.
For beginners with not much experience or knowledge about the canning process, there are a number of preset programs. These help you in the canning process and ensure that you get the best results.
Another reason why this canner is particularly ideal for beginners is that it has great safety features.
NESCO is extremely aware of the safety of its customers when using their products. These in-built safety features include:
- Cool-touch handles
- Safety-lock lid
- Automatic valve float
- Pressure control Pre-set programmes
The canner is also dishwasher-friendly.
In terms of cost, the NESCO smart canner is on the more pricy side. However, with all its included features it is definitely one of the best pressure canners in the market today.
Mirro 92122 Polished Aluminum 5/10 / 15-PSI Pressure Cooker/Canner.
Overall Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Product features
Material | Aluminum |
Color | Silver |
Capacity | 23.24 Liters |
Dimensions | 17 x 14 x 17 inches |
Item Weight | 15 pounds |
While the Mirro 92122 Pressure canner may look very simple, it has a number of great features that make it one of the best pressure canners in the market.
It is made from rust-proof, heavy gauge aluminum. This means it can be used for generations.
A great feature of the Mirro canner is its large size. It can hold 7 quart, 16-pint or 26 half-pint size jars when double stacked.
This makes it ideal for people with large families or even small-scale businesses that use canning regularly.
Mirro 92122 Pressure canner has a number of safety features.
It has a sure lid-locking system, a side gasket pressure release and a reusable overpressure plug.
A cooking rack and easy recipes are included.
In terms of cost, the canner is quite affordable and suited to any budget.
Moreover, it has two cool-touch ergonomic handles that make lifting and handling the canner a lot easier.
The company provides an easy step-by-step user guide as well as 10 years warranty for its consumers.
Mirro also make dedicated pressure cookers in their range. Pressure cookers are not safe for pressure canning so take care when doing your research.
Granite Ware Pressure Canner, Cooker and Steamer
Overall Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Product features
Material | Aluminum |
Color | Black |
Capacity | 12 and 20 quart |
Dimensions | 14.5 x 14.25 x 13.38 inches |
Item Weight | 10.5 pounds |
The Granite Ware company has produced cooking appliances and utensils for nearly 150 years. It has a ton of market experience!
They are known for manufacturing durable and long-lasting products.
This best pressure canner is available in 2 sizes, 12 and 20 quarts to accommodate a diverse range of consumers. It has three different pressures of 5, 10, and 15 psi that are pre-calibrated.
It is made from professional quality, heavy-duty anodized aluminium so is ultra durable.
A Granite Ware Pressure Canner is perfect for quick and even canning.
Its material also makes sure that the canner is free from corrosion and wear and tear.
The canner includes special handles that remain cool when the canner is in use. A stainless-steel lid locks securely to prevent any accidents in the kitchen.
In addition, a safety feature of the canner is a pop-up pressure indicator that locks the lid in place.
This is so accurate that it prevents the canner lid from opening when the canner is pressurized, even as low as 1 psi.
Please note, a Granite Ware Pressure Canner uses a lid gasket sealing ring to ensure the lid is secured in place. This also allows for pressure buildup that is quick and consistent. These deteriorate over time and will need to be replaced.
Final Verdict
In this article we have looked at the 7 best pressure canners you can buy. They come in a range of sizes and with different capabilities and safety features.
Most in this list are multifunctional. You can use them as a pressure cooker, water-bath canner or a stockpot for soups and stews.
So, if you are looking to buy one of the best pressure canners for you home, start with our easy list.
To read more canning tips, try these articles on canning supplies and canning equipment