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Pressure Canning In Your Presto
Pressure Canner
Your Pressure Canner is a special, large capacity pressure pan designed for home canning a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats,
poultry, and seafood.
The Canner uses pressure to achieve the high temperatures required for safely processing foods while canning. The United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., recommends the Pressure Canner as the only safe method for canning low-acid foods—vegetables,
meats, poultry, and seafood.
Water boils at 212°F (except in mountainous regions) and this temperature is sufficient to arrest or destroy some spoilage organisms—
enzymes, molds, and yeast. However, a temperature of 240°F or above is needed to destroy harmful bacteria, especially
Clostridium
botulinum.
In pressure canning, some of the water in the Canner is converted into steam. After all air is exhausted through the vent pipe and automatic
air vent in the cover, the pressure regulator is placed on the vent pipe. Expanding steam raises the automatic air vent and then creates
pressure within the Canner. As the pressure increases, the temperature increases: 5 pounds pressure–228°F; 10 pounds pressure–240°F;
15 pounds pressure–250°F.
As a safeguard against using canned foods which may be affected with spoilage that is not readily detected, it is necessary to boil all
low-acid foods (all meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables) to detect any odors or foaming from spoilage. If the food does not smell or
look right, discard it without tasting. Many times odors that cannot be detected in the cold product will become evident while heating.
To detect spoilage at altitudes below 1,000 feet, boil foods for 10 minutes. At altitudes above 1,000 feet, add an additional minute of
boiling time for each additional 1,000 feet.
It is necessary to follow a few special rules in using and caring for your Pressure Canner. Become familiar with the various parts as
shown in the diagrams and read the “How to Use” section before using for the first time. Use only genuine Presto
replacement parts.
Pressure Dial
Gauge
Pressure Dial
Gauge
Canning
Rack
Vent
Pipe
Body
Handle
Cover
Handle
Automatic
Air Vent
Pressure
Regulator
Body
Handle
Cover
Handle
Canning
Rack
Vent
Pipe
Body
Handle
Cover
Handle
Automatic
Air Vent
Pressure
Regulator
Body
Handle
Cover
Handle
