Canner types
A pressure canner is a specifically designed metal kettle
with a lockable lid used for heat processing low-acid
food. Those made before the 1970s were heavy-walled
kettles with clamp-on or turn-on lids; they continue to be
popular today. Redesigns of pressure canners since the
1970s have resulted in lightweight, thin-walled kettles,
mostly with turn-on lids.
All pressure canners have a jar rack, dial or weighted
gauge, vent port (steam vent) to be closed with a coun-
terweight or weighted gauge, and a safety fuse (fig. 1);
some have an automatic vent/cover lock. Many pres-
sure canners have gaskets or sealing rings made of
rubber or a similar material to prevent steam from
escaping between the lid and the kettle rim. Others form
a tight metal-to-metal seal with the use of clamping
mechanisms.
Fig.1
.
Modern pressure canners have a number of safety
features and either dial gauges (rear) or weighted
gauges (front).
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