dial or weighted pressure canner, which do you prefer?

[Arduinna]

I want to buy a pressure canner but I can't decide which type to get. We are currently at low elevation but you never know that might change.

[velochic]

What models are you looking at? I've never seen a modern canner that is just a dial gauge without a petcock and rocking weight gauge.

[odenata]

If you get one with a gauge, you need to have it tested before use and about once a year. No one near us does this (county extension office does some places, but not here).

For that reason, I prefer weights. Also, just listening for the weights is easier than constantly monitoring the gauge.

However, you can just have both on one canner. I have the Presto 23 qt pressure canner and replaced the regulator that came with it with this 3 piece weight set, so the gauge is redundant, but there if I wanted it. You do need to make sure to get a weight set that is made for your canner.

[Arduinna]

Oh good point, I haven't checked locally to see where I could get it tested. That Presto was one of the ones I was looking at, I didn't realize I could just get the weight set for it and switch it out. Maybe I will do that.

Thanks.

[velochic]

To get dial gauges tested, you can go to your state's extension office. For Louisiana, here it the website: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/

These guys will be able to tell you where the homemaker's extension offices are located. (That's who usually does the testing.)

[greenmulberry]

Weighted. But just buy a regular dial gauge and pick up the weight set. They are cheap, last forever, and never need to be calibrated.

[Arduinna]

Originally Posted by odenata

If you get one with a gauge, you need to have it tested before use and about once a year. No one near us does this (county extension office does some places, but not here).

For that reason, I prefer weights. Also, just listening for the weights is easier than constantly monitoring the gauge.

However, you can just have both on one canner. I have the Presto 23 qt pressure canner and replaced the regulator that came with it with this 3 piece weight set, so the gauge is redundant, but there if I wanted it. You do need to make sure to get a weight set that is made for your canner.

I ended up ordering that one and got the gauge set. Now I just have to wait for it to get here. I can't wait to get all my chicken stock out of the freezer and on my shelves. I'm tired of trying to thaw it out at the last minute because I didn't plan ahead.

[Arduinna]

WOOT it arrived, and I took my stock out of the freezer to thaw so I can can it later this week.

[mamadelbosque]

We have an all-american canner and love it. It's a weighted one, but there is a guage to see exactly what the pressure actually is too. Love it.