Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 97
 Excellent Product September 17, 2007
Paula (California, USA)
23 out of 23 found this review helpful
This is one of the best canners I have ever used. I used to have a Mirro, but this is better. The seal is tight and it doesn't leak. I love the little pressure indicator because it drops down when the canner is completely depressurized, letting you know you can open it.
Even though there is a dial gauge, you actually CAN use this canner as a weighted gauge canner! I contacted Presto about this, and the weight that comes with this canner is the same weight that is on their smaller pressure cookers, the 4- and 6-quart models, which cook at 15 PSI. Therefore, when the weight begins to gently rock, it is pressure canning at 15 PSI. However, people who live below 1,000 feet of elevation need to pressure can at 10 PSI, so you either need to make sure your gauge is accurate, or you can purchase a 3-piece pressure regulator from Presto (model #50332). The lady at Presto confirmed that by using this particular pressure regulator, it will then effectively be a weighted gauge canner with the dial there just for reference.
Now that I have a way to pressure can using just a weighted gauge and not depending on accuracy of a dial, I love this canner. I do not have a way to have my gauge checked other than by sending it to Presto, and that takes weeks to have it checked. Also, I don't know how accurate the gauge would be after being in the mail getting jostled around.
This canner is great because it is lightweight and, therefore, comes up to pressure quickly and also drops pressure quickly. Replacement parts for Presto products are readily available. Customer service for Presto is so far excellent. They will actually answer your e-mail within one business day.
I highly recommend this canner as well as most other Presto products.
 Not tall enough March 16, 2007
M. Ilene Jones
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
I read reviews on a lot of different canners before I ordered this one. The reason I settled on this one is because someone said it was "really big" and mentioned stacking quarts. Well, sorry folks, it's not tall enough to stack quarts, apparently you can't do that in any of the canners that sell for less than $300. You can stack pints and half pints, but you can do that with most of the others, too. Yes, it's a nice canner, has a nice book with it and everything, but if I had it to do over, I would've bought the model that has the pressure guard that lets you know when the pressure is going too high or too low, as I generally am busy preparing the next load while one is processing and it would be nice not to have to watch it so closely. If memory serves, I believe that one was a different brand, maybe a Mirro.
Pressure canning is easier than I thought! August 2, 2005
Juanita Lagrone (Greenwood, SC)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
This is my first pressure canner, and I have already used it twice. As recommended, I took the lid and gauge to the local Extension Service for testing, and it worked perfectly. The instructions booklet that accompanies the canner is pretty easy to understand, though I wish the graphics were a little larger. I thought pressure canning was something akin to rocket science, but it was really very much easier to do. And now I'm continuing a tradition that has been going on in my family for generations.
 Explosion on First Use June 30, 2008
John Beckwith (East Tennessee)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
Based on the good reviews I ordered the Presto 23-qt canner. I carefully cleaned everything and assembled exactly as the manual said.
Loaded in my first batch of salsa and turned on the heat. Canner was soon steaming away. After 10 minutes I placed the regulator on and watched the gauge come up. At 11 lbs I turned down the heat. Pressure was holding steady so I walked to the sink. As soon as I did there was a loud boom and the pressure gage went sailing across the kitchen.
The 3/8 inch brass shaft of the gauge had simply fractured, sending the nut and washer into the canner and the gauge across the kitchen.
Upon examination part of the brass is discolored and crystaline. Possible a defective casting?
In any event this is not acceptable. I'm glad I wasn't looking at the gauge up close when this happened! It could have been a lethal weapon.
The rest of the canner appears to be of excellent workmanship. I will get with Amazon in the morning to see what can be done and will post a follow-up.
Don't know if I should get a new gauge or send the whole thing back. I am not a happy customer.
Easy and safe August 14, 2005
Dianne Beha (Spring city TN USA)
16 out of 18 found this review helpful
I have always been afraid to handle a pressure canner, but this one has given me courage to forge ahead!
I have canned my little heart out since I received it, and it is great!
I would recommend it to anyone, and it works fine on my flat top stove..
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