Best pressure canner to purchase??

[jrebel]

Gonna try my hand at canning meat and would like to purchase a good pressure canner.  I would like a nice one that will last for many years / decades to come.  Which brand / models are good?  How big should a guy go?  Any must have accessories for pressure canning? 

Thanks in advance for the input. 

Jrebel

[NRA4LIFE]

I have a presto (23 qt I think) that has been going strong for 25+ years.  I can stack 2 layers of half pints in it but not pints.  I would get one where you can stack 2 layers of regular pint jars.  A canner rack will allow you to do that without stacking the jars right on top of each other (good accessory to have).  If I had to buy a new one, I'd go with an All American 30 qt.  Not cheap though.  Probably 3 times the cost of the Presto.  It would outlive you most likely.

[Fl0und3rz]

Presto is pretty much standard.   Bigger is better.

[Stein]

I have an All American and would recommend them.  They all have both the jiggle weight and gauge which is handy as well as no gasket to damage or lose.  They are made in the US and should last several lifetimes.  I have the 921 and it works well for my needs, although if you can afford it and have the storage space, bigger is usually better.

[buckfvr]

I have an All American and would recommend them.  They all have both the jiggle weight and gauge which is handy as well as no gasket to damage or lose.  They are made in the US and should last several lifetimes.  I have the 921 and it works well for my needs, although if you can afford it and have the storage space, bigger is usually better.

We have this one, not the smallest or the biggest, but they are something you will pass down for genrations, made from a single billet.  Buck $ up and forget about it for ever.

[jrebel]

I have an All American and would recommend them.  They all have both the jiggle weight and gauge which is handy as well as no gasket to damage or lose.  They are made in the US and should last several lifetimes.  I have the 921 and it works well for my needs, although if you can afford it and have the storage space, bigger is usually better.

We have this one, not the smallest or the biggest, but they are something you will pass down for genrations, made from a single billet.  Buck $ up and forget about it for ever.

This is the exact unit I was considering but was curious about the size?  How many quart jars can you fit in it?  In the same line, I was looking at the 30 quart because it is only $70 bucks more.  Jumping to the 40 quart is $200 more. 

[buckfvr]

I just went out and checked ours.....we also have the model 921.  It is in my shop on a standard burner range as our in the house range top is glass.....

921 HOLDS 21 1/2 quarts water (19 pints or 7 quart jars), so Im sure the 30 quart model holds 30 quarts of water capacity and does not hold 30 quart jars, a little misleading until you think about it.

[fishngamereaper]

30 is plenty big.. I run a presto and an all American and no issues with either one....

[Buckmark]

Here is a thread from a few years ago, also some good threads in the cooking section on canning meat, venison etc from years ago
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,166720.0.html

[jrebel]

Here is a thread from a few years ago, also some good threads in the cooking section on canning meat, venison etc from years ago
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,166720.0.html

Thanks for posting the link.  Just read it and figure the "All American" 30 qt may be the way to go.  Not really sure why the presto's are so much cheaper though....that is perked my interest.

[Fl0und3rz]

I believe the Prestos are cast or stamped aluminum.  Someone upthread noted the All American are billet.

[MR5x5]

Or go with an All American 1925X so when you decide to start growing mushrooms you will also have a pressure sterilizer.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/All-American-Pressure-Steam-Sterilizer-1925X-25qt-24-Liter/222879743917?epid=1795817741&hash=item33e4aaffad:g:8KMAAOSwQUVaps6C

[KFhunter]

I'm in a different camp than the "bigger is better" or getting one huge all American. 


I'd rather have two prestos, or even three.   Two decent sized ones like their 23 quart models, and a smaller one.   
Easier to move, quicker to heat, and you can run them in stages.

You get a big All American loaded up and it takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r to stabilize the temp inside and actually start your pressurized countdown, the presto's will already be rocking. 

My advice is start with a single 23 QT presto, if you find yourself wishing you had a bigger one just get two or three and assembly line them, or by then you might really know you want that all american 40qt, but the good thing is you'll have that smaller presto for smaller batches.   

[Fl0und3rz]

Fair point.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Been running Prestos for years. Bi Mart sells them cheap and they have parts such as seals for them if needed. As stated they heat up fast and perk right along.