Pressure caners

Pepperwoman2012

Pepperwoman2012

I'm trying to find the best bang for my buck with pressure caners. I thought I had 3 good pressure caners, but I found out they are all cookers. Can anyone tell me a good one to buy or a good deal on one?
 
Walmart has a Presto 16-Quart Aluminum Pressure Canner and canning kit for 74$ - Some Ace Hardware stores have them as well They may have them in the big box stores like Costco,BJ's,SAM's etc... as well
 
I've read on various sites and books, because I am looking to purchase one as well, that pressure cookers have less metal, are smaller in diameter, and use less water than pressure canners. The heat-up and cool-down times will be less than for the standard pressure canner. If heating and cooling periods are shortened, then the process time at pressure may not be enough to destroy targeted microorganisms
 
I think of pressure cookers as smaller with a single handle, looks like a sauce pan, used for making everyday meals and pressure canners as the larger, kettle-size pots. Not sure if that's the official definition, but web stores seem to follow the distinction.

I'm not a canning expert, but I think the smaller cookers can be used for pressure canning as long as the process is followed. Most canning recipes say to "...vent at full steam for xx minutes, then close the vent. Start the cooking time when the pressure reaches xx psi, maintain xx pressure for xx minutes..." Once you've maintained the recommended pressure for the recommended time, the food is safe.

Definitely follow tested recipes. Pressure canning, especially vegetables and meat, is not something to guess around with.

Here's a good website that has both types of canners.
http://www.pressurecooker-outlet.com/index.htm

and the Ball canning site, an excellent resource!
http://www.freshpreserving.com/home.aspx

university extensions services also have good canning info-
http://extension.usu.edu/utah/htm/fcs/food-preservation-canning/
 
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