Buying my Pressure canner, any advice

[painter chick]

I finally have enough money to get my pressure canner and I'm looking at a Presto 23 qt but I'd like to get any advice possible from people here about quality and durability.

I'd like to get an All American brand but the price is just out of range for me so if anyone could help me decide I'd be very grateful, Thanks, Sue

 

[LoneCowboy]

Personally, I like the older ones better, but not so old that they have the wing nuts around them. The older ones are much thicker and I just feel better about them. I got mine off Ebay, bought new seals and had the guage checked and we were in business. You can get seals and guages at http://www.mendingshed.com/

 

[JennsPeeps]

If it's just for canning, get a big one 16qt+. If it's a mixed use (canning & food), get one that's 10-12qt. If just for food, anything smaller is fine.

I got a Mirro, 12qt off ebay. Paid around $50 with shipping. Works fine but I do wish I had a manual.

 

[MissPrissy]

The All American brand is the best to buy for your money. This one will last your lifetime and your grandchildren will still be using it.

Keep saving and buy the better canner if you can. You will be very glad you held out for it.

 

[painter chick]

I'd love to get the All American maybe I just need to save some more money? We are only beginning to get our produce in locally and the chicks are a bit small yet, though there are a couple of little roos who are walking the line! but I want to be prepared when the tomatoes start up.

Do you think I could start with a less expensive model then ask the dear parents for a nicer model for my birthday?

 

[MissPrissy]

Tomatoes can be canned by water bath. Keep saving and get the All American. You will be glad you did.

 

[WriterofWords]

I use my Grandmothers canner from the 20's. You want the thickest walls you can find and the heaviest duty you can afford. They last longer but more importantly they are safer.

 

[dangerouschicken]

If they are low acid tomatoes, use a little lemon juice with them before you waterbath can, though.

 

[painter chick]

Thanks for all the advice so far, and my birthday is comming up soon and Dad told me he had a good run at the casino and I'm sure he will appreciate some chicken pot pie and even though my hens will eventually lay brown eggs (he only eats "white" eggs, crazy man) I'm looking at getting some Anconas as my guy is Italian so I could make both my guys happy.

Thanks for the advice dangerous I just think the waterbath is so messy, isn't the pressure canner safer to use in all cases? or is it bad to can tomatoes in a pressure canner?

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

My mom never used a pressure cooker...she boiled everything in a regular pan then boiled the glass jars, filled them and we waited to hear that pop after they cooled lol