Best Pressure Cooker for Canning
We all know the benefits of owning a pressure cooker. They are convenient, healthy, and best of all they deliver excellent tasting food. They can also be useful for canning, which is one of the best ways to preserve food that doesn’t take up space in the freezer. Canned food is healthy, nutritious, and easy, as long as you have the right pressure cooker.
This article takes a look at the best pressure cookers for canning. We offer the perks and pitfalls of each in hopes that it will help you find the best model for your next canning session.
- Holds 32 quarts
- This works on all cooktops including induction
- Conducts heat evenly for better results
- Easy to keep clean
- Comes with a pressure relief safety device
- Dimensions: 18.8 x 18.5 x 18
- Weight: 17.63 lbs
- Holds 22 quarts
- Has a deluxe pressure gauge
- Made from rustproof aluminum
- Includes 2 canning racks for a capacity of 16-pint size jars
- Comes with a 10-year limited warranty and a 1-year replacement parts warranty
- Dimensions: 19.3 x 15.4 x 16.3
- Weight: 14.77 lbs
- This has a massive 41.5-quart capacity but comes in 5 other sizes
- Hand-cast durable aluminum
- Unique metal to metal sealing system removes the need for perishable seals
- 3 psi settings
- Holds 19-pint size jars
- Dimensions: 20 x 18.9 x 18.7
- Weight: 40 lbs
- Has an 8-quart capacity
- Stainless steel with a tri-clad base for heat distribution
- Comes with a 12-year limited warranty
- Includes a 64-page manual and recipe book
- Has a steam release valve for rapid cooling
- Dimensions: 17.4 x 11 x 10.5
- Weight: 18 lbs
- Made from rustproof High-gauge aluminum
- 22-quart capacity but comes in a smaller size
- Holds 16-pint size jars
- Has a 10-year limited warranty and a 1-year replacement parts warranty
- A cooking rack and user guide is included
- Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 17
- 20 lbs
- Has a 12-quart capacity
- Holds 7-pint size jars
- Made from durable anodized aluminum
- Has 3 psi level settings
- Comes in a larger 20 quart size
- Dimensions: 13.2 x 11.8 x 13.2
- Weight: 6.55 lbs
- 3 pressure settings
- Has a 10-quart capacity
- Comes with a 24-hour delay timer
- Has a pressure release button for added safety
- 12 in 1 appliance that frees up space on the cooktop
- Dimensions 15.9 x 15.5 x 15.3
- Weight: 24.9 lbs
- Multi-purpose water bath canner and cooker
- Holds 21-quarts
- Has an 8-pint size jar capacity
- Great for high-acid foods like tomatoes and pickles
- 20 percent more efficient than regular stovetop methods
- Dimensions: 15.3 x 15.2 x 15.3
- Weight: 15.95 lbs
This Buffalo cooker has a vast 32-quart capacity, so canning on an industrial scale is within your reach. It has a German engineered mortise and tenon joint for the lid to give added safety.
It’s easy to clean and suitable for use on all cooktops, including induction varieties, and it also features a lifetime warranty on the outer pot and a 3-year warranty on the inner pot.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty on outer pot
- 32-quart capacity
- German engineering
- Works on all cooktops
Cons
- Spares are not readily available
- Sometimes the lid doesn’t seal properly
This T-fal pressure cooker has a 22-quart capacity, and because it comes with two canning racks, it can handle 16-pint size jars of food.
It also comes with a 10-year warranty, although the replacement parts only have a 1-year warranty, and because it’s made from rustproof aluminum, it should keep going for years.
Pros
- Large capacity for substantial canning
- 10-year warranty
- Heavy-gauge rustproof aluminum
- 5-point security and safety system
Cons
- There are issues over the cooker reaching the maximum pressure
- It can be difficult to get the lid to seal
This cooker comes in 6 size variations to suit any family and boasts a unique “metal to metal” sealing system that negates the need for perishable gaskets.
It also has a wing-nut locking lid for added safety and 3 psi settings. The largest in the range holds 19 pint-size jars.
Pros
- Huge capacity
- No perishable gaskets or seals
- Very secure locking system on the lid
- Lots of size variations
Cons
- Metal to metal seal expands making it difficult to remove the lid
- A high proportion of cookers damaged during delivery
This Presto is slightly smaller than some on the list, with an 8-quart capacity, but not everyone wants a large pressure cooker. It’s constructed of stainless steel and has a tri-clad base for better heat distribution.
It works on induction cooktops as well as conventional gas and electric varieties, and once it gets hot there is a steam release valve for rapid cooling so no one gets burned.
Pros
- Comes in 4 sizes
- Pressure regulator maintains perfect pressure during cook
- Tri-clad base
- 12-year warranty
Cons
- The lid is difficult to put on
- Handles are too short
This Mirro is made from heavy-gauge aluminum, so it’s durable and rustproof. It has three pressure settings and can handle 16 pint-size jars at one time.
It has a sure-locking lid system and comes with a 10-year warranty for the pressure canner feature, and a 1-year limited warranty on replacement parts.
Pros
- 10-year warranty on the pressure canner element of the cooker
- Comes with a rack and a user guide with recipes
- 5, 10, and 15 psi settings
- 22-quart capacity
Cons
- Problems with the weights, not “jiggling”
- Instructions are hard to follow
This 12-quart Granite Ware canner comes with a steamer trivet and can handle 7 pint-size jars in one hit. It’s constructed from heavy-duty aluminum for durability and longevity, and because it lifts the temperature to above 240 degrees Fahrenheit, it kills the bacteria found in low acid foods like meat and fish.
The cooker operates on three pressure levels and has a pop-up pressure indicator valve to let you know when the correct temperature gets reached.
Pros
- Holds 7 pint-size jars
- Made from anodized aluminum
- Comes in a 20-quart size version
- Has 3 psi levels
Cons
- Issues with the product condition after delivery
- Struggles to reach pressure
This GoWise is the first of two electric pressure cookers featured in our list. It has a 10-quart capacity and operates on 3 psi levels. It’s electric, so won’t take up cooktop space, and because it’s a multi-purpose appliance, it will can as well as slow cook, bake, and even make yogurt.
Pros
- Multi-purpose appliance
- No cooktop required
- 24-hour delay timer
- Pressure release valve
Cons
- Struggles to get to pressure
- Lid doesn’t seal properly
- Overheats and shuts down until cooled
This is an electric multi-cooker and water bath canner. It made it on the list on the strength of the multi-use element, although its primary function is as a canner.
The Freshtech has a 21-Quart capacity (8-pint size jars) and operates on 20 percent less energy than the traditional stovetop method of canning. This canner will only can high-acid foods like tomatoes and pickles, so don’t expect great results on low-acid foods, but as a water bath canner and pressure cooker, it might be what you need.
Pros
- Cooks pasta and soups
- Takes 8 pint-size jars
- Energy efficient
- Safety tap to drain the water
Cons
- Suddenly stops boiling for no reason
- Build quality issues
Pressure Cooker for Canning Buyer’s Guide
When you are starting your search for your new pressure cooker, look out for capacity and performance. If you want to do a lot of canning, it will be better to go for a stovetop pressure cooker because they are typically larger in capacity. If you don’t need all that canning space, however, then you could consider an electric pressure cooker or a smaller stovetop model.
Whatever you decide, make sure that the pressure cooker you buy is suitable for low-acid foods like meat and fish. Low-acid foods need to be canned at the right temperature to avoid bacteria growth, which is why a water bath pressure cooker will only suit those with specific canning needs.
You might also want to keep the following considerations in mind as you narrow down your options:
Functions
The aim of the pressure cooking in the canning process is to allow pressure to build to the correct level so that food is canned safely and without the presence of bacteria. Some of the electric varieties are super-versatile and can perform multiple functions, but when it comes to canning, but if all you want is a reliable method of canning, then all those add-on functions are unnecessary.
Power
Unless you are looking for an electric pressure cooker, then the power comes from the stovetop. Look, though, for a pressure cooker that has 3 pressure setting; 5, 10, and 15 psi. That way you can be sure that the correct pressure will be reached regardless of what you are cooking.
Styling
Styling across pressure cookers is relatively uniform: cylindrically-shaped bodies with a domed lid. The electrical varieties are slightly better looking, but they aren’t always the best choice for canning. The actual design hasn’t changed that much for years.
Clever Technology
A lot of the technology in pressure cookers, especially the stovetop varieties, comes in the safety features. Clever locking systems and lid anti-release advancements mean that pressure cooking is no longer a lethal pastime. The new breed of cookers also have unique base technology that allows heat to distribute, even from induction hobs. When it comes to the electric pressure cookers, the sky’s the limit; they have delay timers, multiple-functions, and energy saving innovations, all designed to offer the maximum convenience.
Product Warranty
Product warranties on electrical pressure cookers range from 1 to 3-years. On the stovetop models, expect 10-years warranty on the canner element (usually the pot itself), and a 1 or 2-year limited warranty on the replacement parts.
Brand Reliability
Brands like All American, Presto, and T-fal have spent years building their customer base and nurturing loyalty in customers returning to their products time and time again. The fact that they are still selling thousands of units means that they are doing something right. You can still find dissatisfied customers, but generally you can rely on their products to do the job. Check out the Amazon reviews to get a better idea of which models are reliable.
FAQ
Can I use my pressure cooker on an induction stovetop?
Yes, unless otherwise stated. Modern stovetop pressure cookers have a layer of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of steel so will conduct the heat from an induction stovetop.
Can you put a stovetop cooker in the oven?
No. Absolutely not! This isn’t a large cooking pot, and if the pressure isn’t regulated correctly it could overheat and cause catastrophe.
What’s the difference between low-acid and high-acid foods?
High-acid foods, like pickles, chutneys, tomatoes, and jams, are those that come with a high acid content. Low-acid foods are more likely to be things like meat, and fish.
