Is this safe for canning vegetables and meat?

Yes. Pressure canning is the USDA-recommended method for low-acid foods like vegetables, meats, poultry and seafood, and this canner is built for that.

Can I use it as a regular water-bath canner?

Yes. With the cover off or unpressurized it works as a boiling-water canner for fruits, jams, jellies, pickles and salsa in pint and half-pint jars.

Does it work on glass-top stoves?

Presto says it works on regular and smooth-top ranges. Check your range maker's guidance on large, heavy canners before use.

How do I know the gauge is accurate?

The dial reads the full pressure range, but gauges can drift. Have it tested at a local extension office or against a known gauge, especially at altitude.

What comes in the box?

The canner, a canning and cooking rack, and a 76-page instruction and recipe book.

How does it compare with an All-American canner?

All-American uses a heavier cast aluminum body and a metal-to-metal seal with no gasket, but costs more. The Presto is lighter and uses a gasket that needs periodic replacement.

Where can I buy the Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker?

17 stores we checked sell it, including Urban Home Nest, Graceful Homesteading, Cook Happy, Foofster LLC, Nestoria.

Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker

Q: Where is the Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker cheapest?

At Urban Home Nest, for $117.00, 47% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Best price now

$117.00at Urban Home NestChecked 4 h ago

47% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 17 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Urban Home Nest

What reviewers say

Owners treat it as a dependable workhorse for big canning seasons and praise the capacity and simple operation. Common complaints center on the dial gauge needing verification and the weight of a full load.

What people mention

CapacityPraisedOwners like that one load handles a big batch of quart or pint jars.
Gauge accuracyCriticisedSome question the dial gauge and have it tested or compare it to another gauge.
WeightCriticisedA full canner is heavy and awkward to move, especially off the stove.
Ease of usePraisedThe included instructions and simple lock and vent make it approachable for beginners.
BuildMixedThe aluminum body heats well but feels lighter than cast rivals.
Gasket wearCriticisedThe gasket and overpressure plug are consumables that eventually need replacing.

About the Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker

Brand: Presto

Color: Silver

Features:

• The only method recommended safe by the US Department of Agriculture for canning vegetables, meats, poultry, and seafood

• Doubles as a boiling-water canner for preserving fruits, jams, jellies, pickles, and salsa; Handy as a large capacity pressure cooker

• Constructed of warp-resistant heavy-gauge aluminum for fast, even heating; Works on regular and smooth-top ranges; Extended 12-year limited warranty

• Deluxe pressure dial gauge registers the complete range of processing pressures; This precise measurement is especially important at higher altitudes

• Extra-large size is great for big canning jobs; Includes canning/cooking rack and complete 76-page instruction and recipe book

Binding: Kitchen

Details: Product Description

Pressure canning is the only method recommended safe by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for low-acid foods. Doubles as a boiling water canner for preserving fruits, jams, jellies, pickles and salsa in pint and half pint jars. Also handy as a large capacity pressure cooker. Constructed of warp-resistant, heavy-gauge aluminum for fast, even heating. Works on regular and smooth-top ranges. Deluxe pressure dial gauge registers the complete range of processing pressures. This precise measurement is especially important at higher altitudes. Air vent/cover lock allows pressure to build up only when the cover is closed properly and prevents the cover from opening until pressure is safely reduced. 23-Quart liquid capacity (21.8 liters).

Amazon.com

The USDA recommends pressure canning as the only safe method for low-acid foods such as vegetables, meats, and poultry. The Presto 23-quart pressure canner is more than adequate for any home canning needs. It's a professional-quality tool, made of heavy-duty aluminum, with stay-cool handles and a strong-lock steel lid. An accompanying rack fits down into the pot to keep jars up off the bottom, so that liquid can circulate underneath. And it can do double duty as a large pressure cooker. It's easy to cook healthfully with pressure cookers, since the food retains so much more of its nutrients and flavor.

The sturdy lid locks down during canning or cooking; an inner sealing ring keeps the steam in. In addition to a pop-up pressure indicator and a simple steam release mechanism, there is an overpressure plug that will let off steam if it builds up excessively. The pressure dial gauge gives an accurate reading so that pressure can be kept constant during canning. This pressure canner is also a cooker that's useful for weeknight dinners or for any meal that needs to come together quickly. An accompanying booklet contains more than 50 recipes, ranging from basic soup stocks to stews and pot roasts--even sweets like English Plum Pudding or Brown Bread! Tenderize lean cuts of beef or pork, or cook chicken, fish, or vegetables faster than you can in a microwave, and without losing moisture.