All-American 21-1/2-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner

I give this five stars as a canner, and three as a cooker. The only reason I downrate it slightly as a cooker is that it is so big and unwieldy. If you regularly have to cook huge batches of food, though, this may be just what you need. If you don't ordinarily cook up enough to feed an army, you might be happier with a smaller (say, 6 to 8 quart) pressure cooker (I love my Kuhn Rikon 6 quart stockpot). Also: if you are planning to can a LOT of stuff, you might consider getting the Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry model 930--it can handle 14 quart jars at a time, whereas this one can only handle 7 quart jars.

All in all, a very well made item. Get this and a copy of Lorna Sass's "Cooking Under Pressure", a copy of the Ball Blue Book, and go conquer the (canning) world.


If you are considering buying any other canner.........   February 8, 2004
35 out of 36 found this review helpful

send me the money and I'll throw it away for you. I received my Grandmother's when she passed away and have more that pleased with it. I can't add anything the other reviews other that mine is over 30 year old it is in perfect shape. I've been told that my Grandmother sent 1000's of cans through this in her day and I intend to do the same. The company's web site is very good if you need replacement parts but I doubt you'll ever need them. I had my local Ag extension agent test my gauge (the original) and it is still accurate enough for canning. This is the only part that should ever really need replacing since it does not have a seal. I am fortunate enough to have the old school Instruction and Recipes book (list price 60) that has canning recipes that I have not been able to find anywhere else. Buy this and pass it on to your grandchildren!!!


The safest home pressure cooker money can buy.   May 3, 2006
tron3 (New Jersey)
33 out of 36 found this review helpful

The idea of using a pressure cooker always scared me. "What if it blows up.", "I can be scarred for life.", "What about kids safety.", etc. When I finally started to look at them, I knew this was it.

I work for a machining company and asked a machinest and an engineer how safe it looks. Then I explained how it worked. They both admit they see nothing wrong with it and deem it very safe if used as directed.

I know this thick anodized aluminum will hold the pressure. It has not two, not four, but SIX locking screws. Screw down simultaneously on opposite sides for a level seal. Plus, it has three locking hooks that stops the lid from blowing off when you undo the screws. Not to mention the rubber pressure gasket in the lid that releases steam if the pressure gets too high. Just be sure to replace it once a year, as rubber deteriates over time.

Because it doesn't use a rubber ring gasget and is metal-to-metal sealed, it can last many life times. The steam valve is regulated with a special metal knob you sit on top of it. It can get hot, or even lost. But don't worry, you can buy a new one. The company will even send you new safety labels free of charge to replace the worn ones on your pot.

Naturally, you have to follow the safety rules like:
* ALWAYS handle a hot pot with kitchen mitts.
* Never fill past half way when cooking veggies or rice that expand. Half way includes any water and extras. For other stuff, 2/3 way is good.
* NEVER pour cold water on it when it is hot, or apply cold wet towels.
* ALWAYS let the pressure gage DROP to zero before you open the pot.
* Open the lid AWAY from you, something you should do with any cooking pot.
* NEVER lift the pot by the lid handle, only by the pot handles.
* There are more: READ THE SAFETY GUIDELINES FIRST!

READ AND FOLLOW ALL THE SAFETY RULES and don't try to over pressure cook your food. You will have fast, safe and delicious cooking experiences for decades.

Sure, you could buy cheaper ones, but I wouldn't put my trust in them. Especially if you have children. I'd go to the moon in this thing.

Addendum 5/19/06:
We pressure cooked two 4lb roast beefs for the first time, then cut it into 1/2" slabs. Those slabs made for a juicy and tender sandwich. Was as easy to chew as the thin sliced roast beef! The tenderness is fantastic.

I didn't cap it off until the water was hot, that's when I started counting the cooking time of 50 minutes. This cooked it fully with no pink in the middle. Next time I am guessing 35 minutes to keep it a little pink. Took about 30 minutes to reach 15 lbs of pressure, and the very instant it reached, the pressure regulator started to whistle. Used a mitt to remove the HOT pressure regulator. Took about 7 minutes for the pressure to reach zero. Best part of all, the whole house didn't smell like food!