A pressure canner is a kitchen utensil used to sterilize, cook, and preserve low acid food that is to be canned for
future use. It may also be referred to a pressure cooker, but not to be confused for a small pressure cooker that is used to cook food, not preserve food. It may, for some food, be used as a pressure cooker though for preparing cooked food. Soups and stews, for example, can be pressure cooked in a canner. It can only be cooked in amounts that fill half or less of the canner though. Similarly, meat and poultry can be pressured cooked in a canner if the amount is typically slightly less than two-thirds of the volume of the pot. For safety purposes, always read and follow the directions of the pressure canner manufacturer to ensure that procedures and processes will not result in injury or illness.
It generally consists of a steel or cast aluminum pot, a locking lid, a locking lid with an airtight seal and vent cover lock, a vent pipe with a pressure gauge, and an excess pressure lid plug. The locking lid mechanism is used as a safety mechanism that keeps the lid from being opened until the pressure with the canner is released, while the airtight seal and vent cover lock golds the pressure contained within the pot or releases excess pressure through the vent pipe as the pressure gauge and regulator display the pressure reading. The lid plug is also a safety feature of the pressure canner. It allows the steam to be released if the vent pipe becomes plugged unexpectedly. The air within the pot is heated to a really high temperature, allowing air pressure and steam to build up inside forcing hot steam through the food to cook and preserve it thoroughly .
Pressure canners are designed to be used for canning and preserving food that needs to be heated to very high temperatures only achieved by creating steam with pressure so that the contents can be safely sealed airtight in glass containers. There’s a metal rack that rests on the bottom of the canner, and canning jars filled with food contents are placed on it. Typical canners commonly hold 17 or 19-pint jars or 6 to 7-quart jars of food with an overall capacity of 18 to 22 quarts. Several inches of water is then placed in the canner pot to be used to heat and create the steam and the process begins. Pressure canners retain nutrients and flavor and higher temperatures are to be achieved with the steam in order to eliminate potential bacterial dangers when fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, milk, poultry, and a variety of prepared foods are preferred using this method.
Read our latest guide about the best sous vide precision cookers.
Uses and Advantages of Pressure Canners
Pressure canning gives home canners the ability to preserve more than just high acidic foods in a water bath like jam, tomatoes, and pickled items. Having a pressure canner in your arsenal of canning supplies is crucial to preserving foods like meats, soups, stews, chili, vegetables in water, spaghetti sauces, and many more.
Home canning and preserving comes with many benefits, and some of them are:
There is something exciting knowing you can double your yield or output by successfully double-stacking the jars in a pressure canner after working hard creating a triple batch of a recipe and filling umpteen jars. Depending on the jar size, you can produce upwards of 19 pints per batch.
So many creative recipes you otherwise would have never been able to preserve can be achieved through pressure canning. Vegetables, squash, meats, soups, and other low acid foods can only be safely preserved in a pressure canner. For someone who loves canning tomatoes or pickled items, pressure canning is perfect. It is convenient in a way that you will rarely have to frequent the grocery store again.
Pressure canning is very convenient as you can readily have delicious meals when you need a quick, healthy meal in minutes. So yes, there is an initial time investment when canning foods however it is well worth it when dinner needs to be on the table in 20 minutes. Knowing that the drive-thru isn’t your only option to feeding your busy family is amazing. When your teenager needs a healthy snack, meals in a jar also come in handy.
Types of Pressure Canners
Dial Gauge Pressure Canners
A dial gauge canner has a dial on the top which tells you the amount of pressure in the canner. When you cook food under pressure, you need to increase the pressure to the desired amount – which is measured in pounds per square inch, also known as PSI. 5 and 10 PSI are the most common. Many people prefer dual gauge pressure canners as it feels familiar and/or accessible. All you need to do is watch the dial raise to the number you want and keep it at that pressure by adjusting the heat.
The comfort that a gauge provides though is offset by two disadvantages:
Annual inspection. The gauge must be inspected annually in order to determine that it’s accurate. While it’s inexpensive, it may be hard to find someone to test it.
They require closer watching. Even though a dial gauge has vents, unlike a weighted gauge canner, it doesn’t vent unless there is excess pressure. What this means is that you will have to monitor things closer or else, you could be canning at a higher pressure than desired. Canning at a higher pressure than desired will soften the final product and, under extreme circumstances, turn it to mush.
Weighted Gauge Pressure Canner
Small weights sit on top of a vent on a weighted gauge canner. It usually comes with 3 weights = 5, 10, and 15 pounds. The weights only weigh a few ounces each. The weights cover the vent until enough pressure builds to jiggle them. The weights intimidates some people because they are noisy and, for some, are less confidence-inducing than a dial. The upside though is that it requires less maintenance as it does not require the annual checkup, as there are less parts to break or wear down.
Advice on how to choosing the Right Canner for You
Never buy an old one for a deal. The safety of pressure canners has improved drastically over the past 10 years. Save your money and invest in something new. The extra money compared to buying a used one will pay off in the long run, through reassurance of your personal safety and repairs to your ceiling.
Do not listen to horror stories that talk about exploding canners 50 years ago to decide not to buy one. Modern ones have safety mechanisms life a number of different release valves where pressure will release from if it gets too high, preventing a blow out where the weighted or dial gauge ‘exploded’ off the lid.
A manual comes with a pressure canner – read it
Know how much and how to replace the seals. It is the likely point of failure and if they’re unavailable, you will have obtained a pot.
Buy one for canning. This will save you cash buying separate racks and components for it.
Buy something as large as you can – but do keep in mind that the larger the surface area of the bottom of the pot, the longer it will take to heat up.
Practice before doing your first canning.
Know that you can stack two levels high, and if you are always using small jars, you may not want a large canner. If you’re going to be using 1-liter or 2-pint jars, you should consider something tall. You are sealing with steam so don’t be afraid of size.
Do some research on the differences between weighted and gauged canners. A lot feel that the gauge is more accurate, but hearing the weighted gauge to know it’s as hot as you want it to be is something to consider.
Clean your canner well. A clogged canner is a dangerous canner as the pressure will continue to build.
Read some recipes to know what you are getting into.
Do watch out for head space – you will generally need a lot more as the temperature is much hotter and it’s easy to forget to check
Buffalo has designed and developed its multi-layered stainless steel under extremely high temperatures and precise conditions, forging the revolutionary and remarkable material known as Buffalo Clad. It is sturdy, scratch resistant, and durable. Buffalo Clad heats rapidly and evenly with no chemical reaction making it the healthiest, most durable, and easy to clean material ever created for cookware.
Features
The Buffalo Stainless Steel 32-Quart Pressure Cooker is characterized by its thermal conductivity that is faster and more even than conventional stainless steel cookware. It features a 32 quart capacity and is stainless steel. Exclusively made from Buffalo Clad, the thermal conductivity is faster and more even than conventional stainless steel cookware. The 12-Quart, 15-Quart, 21-Quart are for canning projects or family use, while the 21-Quart and 32-Quart are for commercial use. It has a pressure indication valve, which helps relieve the pressure easily. It can also be used as an emergency pressure relief safety device. It has German gear with mortise and tenon joint design, simple switch, safe, durable, and easy cleaning. It also managed to obtain the ISO 9001 : 2000 and Safety Goods (SG) Certificate from Japan. It is suitable for use on gas stove, electric stove, induction cooker, and ceramics furnace.
The Buffalo QCP430 is a high quality commercial grade pressure cooker that gets rave reviews from 100% of users, and some were professionals using this in a restaurant daily. It obviously prices higher than others but is high quality, durable and simple to use. Users verify that it is safe to use and although high capacity, weighs less than other pressure cookers in this class. If you plan on canning several times a year, like to cook nutrient dense foods like bone broth, or just like top quality stuff, this is your pressure cooker.
Pros
It is a great machine, very heavy duty with several safety features each backing up the other. It is large enough to can with, induction capable, and is easy to clean
It comes to pressure quite quickly for its size and cools down very fast; it makes the most excellent meat, stock, and soup
It is very easy to use and shortens up the cooking time in more than half
It is a high quality product and works so well; construction appears sturdy
Its operation was quick and slick. The red pop-up valves worked great. The lid was easy to attach. The smaller size made it easier to handle and there are multiple safety devices
Only ALL-AMERICAN Pressure Cooker/Canners feature the exclusive, precision machined “Metal-to-Metal” sealing
system. Positive action clamping locks align the cover to the base forming a steam tight seal. Because no gasket is involved, the cover is always easily opened and closed. All models feature a precision machined pressure regulator weight for accurate pressure control.
Features
The All American 21.5 Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner features a sturdy phenolic top handle and an easy to read geared steam gauge. It has a 5, 10, and 15 pound pressure regulator weight and a smooth, easy to clean satin finish. It has an easy on-off cover and an exclusive metal-to-metal seal – no gaskets to crack, burn, replace, or clean. Its positive action clamping wing nuts permit easy opening and closing. Its double thickness edges allow for additional protection on these points of heaviest wear. It also has automatic overpressure release.
The All American 21.5 Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner holds approximately 19 standard regular mouth pint jars or 7 standard mouth quart jars. It is made of durable, hand-cast aluminum. It has easy to read geared steam gauge and settings of 5 psi, 10 psi, and 15 psi. It is 15 3/8 inches high with 12 ¼ inch inside diameter. The All American 921 is made of heavy duty cast aluminum (for an even and fast method of canning and cooking) and also makes use of features such as a safety control valve, overpressure plug and ‘stay-cool bakelite’ top handle to ensure that you get the safest and most enjoyable response from the pressure canner/cooker possible.
Pros
It is a heavy duty canner and is very sturdy, so even if you use it multiple times a week, it will still give you the best results
It is made of aluminum, so it heats food evenly
The handle stays relatively cool throughout cooking and is insulated
Cons
It’s quite heavy, with a weight of 20 pounds; due to its weight, it’s not recommended for use on ceramic or glass stoves
Due to its thick material, it may take some time for the entire pot to heat up or to be cool enough to handle
Innovation is T-fal’s DNA. At T-fal, they all use their expertise in technology, ergonomics, daily use of products and consumer’s habit to assess one’s needs and imagine new solutions, products and services that will improve one’s everyday life. They believe that listening to people is the way for them to offer innovations that will change people’s habits for the best. Their mission is to give people the opportunity through their products and services to enjoy tasty, diversified and healthy cooking and perform useful daily activities for you, your loved ones and your friends.
Features
The T-Fal polished pressure canner and cooker offers you larger canning size and long-lasting performance. The heavy gauge, rustproof aluminum body, reduces any chance of rust developing even after washing and the aluminum ensures maximum durability. It comes with two canning racks allowing it to perform at a large capacity and making it capable of holding seven quart-size jars or 16 pint-size jars when double-stacked. It features pressure control with three selections: 5PSI for vegetables and delicate foods, 10PSI for meat, and 15PSI for canning. It has two canning racks to prevent food sticking and maximize canning space. No pressurization will happen apart from the lid first being locked, thanks to its spring safety device. The 5 point system, on the other hand, has a secure-locking lid system that keeps the steam in. It also has an over pressure steam release mechanism, safety components, and a pressure monitoring device. With this, the pot will never open if it is pressurized and pressurization can only happen if the lid is securely locked.
When canning, the 22-quart is equipped with a pressure gauge dial that offers easy pressure monitoring. Moreover, it features impressive capacity and accommodation that allows you to hold 7-quartsized jars at a time. Also, it can hold other sizes, including 16-pint size jars and 26 half pint size jars when double-stacked, so you can comfortably can various foods for use later.
Pros
The pressure gauge dial allows users to monitor the level of pressure
The sure-locking system ensures that the lid cannot be opened when the cooker is pressurized
The two food racks eliminate food from sticking while increasing the holding capacity
Its make which is high-gauge aluminum means it’s durable and rust resistant
The Ball 1440035017 features a large 21-quart capacity, one simple dial control for temperature, a removable canning jar rack that keeps jars from touching the bottom of the pot, and an easy-drain spigot for simple draining. It has detachable base nests for east storage and cleaning. Its lid and steaming/canning jar rack are also dishwasher safe.
The Ball 1440035017 can be used anywhere there is a power outlet. Not only is this electric water bath canner 20 percent more energy efficient than traditional stovetop methods for canning, you’ll free up valuable space on your cooktop for other cooking tasks. This electric water bath canner can accommodate large batch canning, fitting 7 quart jars or 8 pint jars comfortably at one time. The ingenious drain spout on the exterior allows you to drain water directly into the sink or empty water into a smaller container – so there is no need to worry about moving gallons of hot water at the end of the canning process. The drain spout also enables this unit to be used as an electric beverage urn, perfect for dispensing hot tea, cider, cocoa, etc.
Cook up a storm without using the stove, by conveniently using this electric cooker to steam, simmer, boil, or blanch. It can be used as a stockpot for pastas, soups, and stews, or as a steamer for vegetables and seafood. The heat-resistant rubber-coated handles on the cooker and lid offer a comfortable and non-slip grip. The tight-fitting glass lid allows the user to monitor the cooking process without losing heat and moisture. The base is also detachable for easy cleaning. It also conveniently nests inside the cooker for more compact storage.
Pros
Great appliance – it heats water fast and maintains heat well
The spigot makes it easy to empty – not more saucepans of hot water from stove to sink
It does not heat up your house as much as a canner on your stove. It is also good to sterilize your jars
It is more energy efficient, and is a space saver
Cons
When taking the diffuser out at the end of a session, it is hard to get, so jars are tipping
The rack is too widely spaced to easily handle small jars
T-Fal cookware is made and manufactured based on one major concept – to make life a little easier without compromising cooking results. Driven by innovation in both cookware function and design, T-Fal consistently sets new trends in the world of cookware.
Features
The T-fal P45009 Clipso is very user-friendly, featuring one- handle lid that helps the consumer to conveniently open and close the pressure cooker top. You don’t have to deal with the struggle of aligning the handles of the cook pot and the lid for it to open or close with this pressure cooker. This lid release and lock feature is something that people are impressed with. The unit is also dishwasher safe, so cleaning up any mess is very easy. It also includes one high pressure setting that comes with an additional pressure button to let you know if it’s safe to open the lid.
There are more safety features in this unit. One is that when it’s fully pressurized, the lid will always remain closed. When cooking is finished, the speed release valve allows the user to securely relieve any pressure and steam very quickly. The valve is located on the lid. The durable, well-built handles, on the other hand, are located on the side to make it conveniently portable. It is recommended to replace the rubber gasket at least annually – this is in order to maintain the efficiency and the performance at top level.
This pressure cooker also reduces cook times by up to 70% for faster results, while still retaining the valuable nutrients of the food and its flavor, too. Some safety features are: it includes an innovative one hand system for risk-free opening and closing, the inability to open when in use and under pressure, a variable steam-release valve for added control, and side handles for secure carrying.
Pros
It is safe to use with any type of cook-top, even induction
It has a safety mechanism that won’t allow you to open the cooker when under pressure
It has a well-built and sturdy stainless steel construction
It saves energy and cost by cooking very fast
Cons
it is heavier that other aluminum models because of the stainless steel construction
Presto has simultaneously leveraged its timeless appeal and adapted to stay current as consumer preferences have evolved with each decade over the last century. They have a long history of creating innovative products. It’s the company’s goal to continually pioneer new products that meet the needs of today’s changing lifestyles, as well as deliver a wide selection of traditional appliances that reflect the quality long associated with the Presto® name.
Features
The Presto 1755 canner is a special, large capacity pressure vessel designed for home canning a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, and seafood. The canner may also be used to fast cook many foods in larger quantities than can be prepared in a conventional size pressure cooker. The canner uses pressure to achieve the high temperatures required for safely processing foods while canning. The USDA recommends the pressure canner as the only safe method for canning low-acid foods: vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, and seafood. The canner can also cook a variety of food for one-third 1/3 to 1/10 the time require by conventional methods. Additionally, this type of cooking preserves nutrients and flavor of the food, and tenderizes tougher cuts of meat.
The Presto 1755 has a 16 quart liquid capacity. It will hold 7 quart jars. It is constructed of extra strong, warp resistant aluminum. This unit is suitable for use on smooth and regular top ranges. Its air vent and cover lock allows pressure to build up only when the cover is closed properly. It is designed for easy, confident home pressure canning – the only method recommended safe for canning meats, vegetables, poultry, and seafood. Its easy to read dial gauge registers a complete range of processing pressures. Included in the box is a cooking/canning rack and a complete instruction/recipe book. The mason jar capacity is 12 half-pints; 10 pints; 7 quarts. Its dimensions are 13 ¼ by 14 ½ by 11 ¾ inches.
Pros
It appears to be well made
It has a pressure dial which not all pressure canners have
T-fal is also a world leader in pressure cookers and electrical cooking appliance. T-fal is a well-known brand as it is one of the leading non-stick cookware maker worldwide. The company’s mission is to offer ingenious products to help make cooking simpler and more rewarding – as well as making ironing easier and faster. T-fal’s dedication to understand the consumer’s needs and bring innovative solutions is exceptional.
Features
A sleek, shiny stainless steel appliance, the T-fal P25144 has two pressure settings. This stove-top pressure cooker brings together the quality and durability of traditional pressure cookers, but it exceeds its predecessors with thanked safety mechanism and cooking features. These safety features are:
A gasket – it releases steam quickly while giving the user an extra control of the pressure cooker,
A pressure indicator – displays the pressure that’s inside the cooker,
A safe opening and closing system – it seals the lid tightly when the cooker is pressurized. It makes sure that the pressure cooker cannot be opened again until the pressure inside the cooker is released, and
Riveted handles – it makes sure that the cooker can be carried safely.
When cooking with the T-fal P25144, it is controlled by two pressure settings. The pressure settings allow the user to set the pressure so that what they’re cooking is perfectly cooked. To cook food quickly and at a high pressure, a 15 PSI setting is used. This setting has been the traditional pressure for pressure cookers. Meats, stews, etc. are cooked at 15 PSI. Vegetables cannot be cooked at 15 PSI though, as it will cause them to be mushy. Now with the variable setting of the T-fall P25144, the user can select a lower pressure of 10 PSI for delicate foods like fish, seafood and vegetables. Frozen food, on the other hand, can be put in the cooker without defrosting. With all of its advantages, it can be said that it is an energy-efficient appliance.
Pros
Cleanup is easy with the T-fal P25144 – the stainless steel cooking pot is dishwasher safe
It is easy to use, safe, and easy to maintain
The dual pressures allow the user to set more control over cook times
Cons
This particular unit does not include a steamer basket or a recipe book
The Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner is ideal for all your home canning needs, with more than sufficient space for your 6 Mason Jars. With its size, the Presto 01781 only takes up as much space as a large pan. Thus, it fits comfortably on both gas and smooth-top hobs.
The USDA stated in the ‘USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning’ that pressure canning is the only safe method for canning low-acid foods, which makes us all the more fortunate that Presto have once again come up with another genius invention set to help us retain flavor in our food. The Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner is also good for preserving fruits, jams, jellies, pickles and salsa by boiling water underneath the helpfully-supplied rack that the canning jars can be placed on. It can be used as a pressure cooker as well.
The Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner is such a dependable kitchen appliance. Only helped by the fact that is made from warp-resistant aluminum, so that the helpfully slim shape is retained while heating the inside both evenly and quickly. The lid, on the other hand, is made from steel. An air vent, or a cover lock, is also present to give you peace of mind. The inner sealing ring helps create an airtight environment. This is for maximum efficiency. The overpressure plug prevents the user from burning himself/herself when the user goes to open the pressure canner/cooker when it has done its job.
Pros
It has a 23 Quart capacity, which lets you can a high quantity of food items at once
Its stay-cool handles will prevent you from injuring yourself
Its overpressure plug controls the release of steam before one can open the lid
It is made of warp-resistant, heavy gauge aluminum which provides long-lasting durability and is ideal for speedy cooking
It doubles as a boiling water canner and food preserver optimum for preserving fruits, jellies, jams, and much more
Cons
It is considered by some to be bulky and not ideal for those needing a far less capacity canner
The Presto 01745 is one of the smaller cookers/canners that Presto sells. It is made of heavy aluminum and the rubber seal that closes the cooker when it comes time to cook will stay tight for a long time. The rubber seal is an essential element, because if the seal is not perfect, the pressure cooker won’t work properly at all.
The Presto 01745 can be used to can meats, fresh fruits, vegetables, and many other foods. It does a pretty good job of canning either pint or quart sized jar foods. It is also a USDA approved product that is excellent at canning foods at the required temperatures to kill bacteria such as those that cause botulism. Not only do you get the goodness of fresh canned food, you also get it in a safe manner.
It also is big enough to cook several jars of canned fruits or vegetables at one time. It is a very generous sized full 16-quart canner; that means it can easily hold 5 quart sized jars or 7-8 pint sized jars when you are doing your canning/cooking. This means that you can make some pretty good size batches of the foods that you, your friends, and your family loves. The Presto 01745 is also built to last, thanks to the fact that it is made out of sturdy, polished aluminum. It also comes with a pressure gauge that can be placed at any angle that you want it to be, so that it is convenient for you to read. Aside from that, it has Presto’s advanced airlock system. This helps the unit do a pretty nice job of capturing the steam and heat it produces.
Pros
This hot steam cooks food very quickly and evenly, but it will cool down or escape the chamber if it isn’t sealed in; it is well-built and should last for a long time
At 10 pounds, the Presto 01745 is somewhat heavy, but manageable
The canner/cooker’s lid has a special locking mechanism, which is also referred to as the advanced airlock system. It basically seals the lid on when it is time to start building pressure in the cooking chamber, which is convenient
It has a good built quality as it is made of a thick, tough aluminum. It heats evenly and won’t warp or bend over time
Cons
At 16 quarts, its capacity is decent but not spacious
The Presto 01370 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker is the way to go if you want meat, chicken, fish, and vegetables cooked to perfection while cutting down the cook time as it can cook food within a matter of minutes. This unit also allows you to cater to all sizes, from a small meal (for one or two people) to a large meal (for six to ten people), all while cutting down the cooking time by up to seventy percent and still managing to save you energy.
The pressure cooker is made from stainless steel with a special tri-clad base (stainless steel sandwiching aluminum) that promotes fast and even heating of food and can be used on both electric and gas hobs. The Presto 01370 pressure cooker has a pressure regulator steam release valve which automatically maintains the exact pressure needed to keep your food cooking at the optimum pressure without affecting or impairing the flavor or texture. As with other good pressure canners/cookers, it has an overpressure plug that is used to lower the pressure. This unit also has an inner sealing ring to maintain an airtight environment to enable a build-up of pressure. Another nice feature is the cover lock indicator. As the name suggests, it allows you to instantly know if the pressure is too high inside the cooker at a single glance. It also helps prevent you from opening the cover until the pressure has been lessened – which is another safety mechanism.
The Presto 01370 also comes with a stainless steel steaming basket with handles for cooking multiple foods at once (without crossing or diluting flavors) and a 64 page recipe/instruction booklet allowing you to maximize the functions of your Presto 01370 pressure cooker for great tasting dishes.
Pros
The pressure weight adjusts to close for cooking and release pressure open, it is a better design that the older “rocker” style weight
It cooks at 15 lbs psi rather than the older 25 lbs psi without sacrificing cooking time
It has a good interlock safety device that will not allow the lid to be unlocked without all the pressure released first
It has a good quality finish including strong handles – should last a lifetime
Cons
Sometimes, it is hard to lock the lid in place to create a seal thus allow pressure to build
Z&L Group Co. Ltd was founded on 1986 and focused on pressure cookers from 1997. They obtained 45 patents on the structure and design of non-electric pressure cookers, covering lids, pot, etc. to make it safer and more convenient. Z&L products have been qualified by European CE, German GS, Japanese SG, Korean KC, and US UL. They also have over 30 patented know-hows. Z&L passed ISO 9001:2008 in year 2003 and got the certificate of ISO 14001 in year 2011. They will meet your demand by utilizing their expertise and continue their endeavor of 16 years to fulfill your dream and endless pursuit of quality and creativity.
Features
The Z&L 6 Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker has 3 independent steam release system: 1) pressure settings + anti block filter, 2) safety valve, and 3) safety window + silicone sealing. It also has 3 enhanced mechanics system: 1) rotary one-hand opening lid, 2) two thick symmetrical clamps, and 3) heavy sandwich bottom. Its one-hand system is used when opening and closing the lid. To use it, one must place the lid over the pressure cooker body, ensuring that it is sitting correctly on the pot. Turning the knob clockwise opens the lid and turning it counterclockwise will securely close the lid. The on-hand system is a humanization design to help one relieve one of the hands, which is easy and safe. The pressure cooker also features an adjustable pressure valve. There are two positions between I (low) and II (high). According to the size or amount of the food to be cooked, one can set the pressure manually in the cooker using the valve. It must not be adjusted during the cooking though. There is also an orange indicator that lights up as soon as the safety valve has risen.
Pros
It is silent and easy to clean
Replacement parts are available and it comes with an extra gasket
The flavor seeps into the food really well
It has a very heavy duty lid and pot
It is well made and designed – clamping lid is secure; heavy stainless steel construction; adjustable steam vent
Cons
Capacity is not close to 6 quarts – less than 5 quarts to the very brim
The Mirro pressure cooker brand started as the Wear-Ever company back in 1903. Wear-Ever rode the tide of manufacturing led by Ford by creating a line of cookware and kitchen products using the new aluminum and steel manufacturing processes, leaving the old cast iron skillet behind. Households became quickly loyal to Wear-Ever. It became a staple in every kitchen. With the modern Mirro Company, their emphasis on using innovation, technology and new materials in the kitchen remains, as does their goal of providing durable and affordable cookware.
Features
The Mirro 92122A is dishwasher safe and is 22-quarts in size. It is a polished aluminum pressure cooker. This unit combines their pressure canning system with their popular pressure cooker technology in order to make one appliance for both uses in the kitchen. It is a great space saving innovation as it increases the convenience of use for the item.
The Mirro 92122A Pressure Cooker and Canner is made from a heavy gauge, rustproof aluminum with rounded edges and sure-fit sealing gasket technology. The 22-quart pressure cooker and canner is designed to hold 16-pint or 5-quart canning jars. There are three pressure cooker system that allows for three levels of operation – low (5 PSI), medium (10 PSI), and high (10 PSI). It has a reusable overpressure plug and a sure-lock lid system. The pressure system includes an overpressure plug that is reusable, a sure-lock lid system, and a side mounted gasket pressure release. The unit comes with an aluminum cooking rack with a trivet style feet, a use guide, and some started recipers. The Mirro 92122A meets and exceeds all of the NAES’ requirements for electrical safety. The unit measures 17 by 14 by 17 inches and has an empty weight of 13.6 lbs with the lid attached.
Pros
It uses a silicone gasket seal, rather than a rubber gasket, as the silicone can withstand pressure and heat better, making it last longer
It is surprisingly light for its size
It doesn’t have a gauge style indicator, but uses weights – this makes it more reliable and one does not have to worry about pressure testing the gauge
The Giantex 6-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker features a thin sidewall and thick base, fast, even heating and no bottom burning, strong, durable, and elegant design, and a handle for easy carrying. A safe, food-grade aluminum alloy is used as the pressure cooker material to ensure that users have a healthy and safe cooking. It also uses customized silicone seals for safety and protection and ensuring the high performance of the pressure cooker. It is durable and does not have to be replaced repeatedly. The Giantex 6-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker has 6-quart capacity for all types of cooking, which is large enough for one’s daily family use. The thick base of the cooker extends the service life and ensures the safety for long-term daily usage.
Pros
It cooks raw vegetables and meats to perfection
Food cooks so much faster in this pressure cooker
It is very easy to use
It is affordable and durable
For the price, it is a nice product
Cons
There are no instructions on how to put the handles on
As one customer was attempting to put the lid handle on, a tiny piece broke off
This pressure cooker is constructed of polished durable aluminum capsule bottom. Featuring a thin sidewall and a thick base, it ensures fast and even heating, and no burning bottom as well. It is also equipped with a safety device in the lid and the cooker handles. It has a block-proof cover, a spring safety valve, and a safety window at the edge of the cover. With this, you can cook healthy food easily, quickly, and safely with its multi-safety mechanisms.
It features a thin sidewall and thick base, which ensure fast, even heating and no bottom burning. It is equipped with safety device in the lid and cooker handles and also has a block-proof cover, spring safety valve and a safety window at the edge of the cover. With its multi-safety devices, you can cook healthy food easily, fast and safely.
It cooks three to ten times faster than ordinary cooking methods, saving time and energy while retaining the food’s nutrients and flavor. It measures 9.4 inches (D) x 7 inches (H). The inside diameter of the cooker is 8.6 inches and the length of the handle is 5.5 inches.
Pros
The silicone gasket is in good shape and fit snugly
The locking action works, but it feels a little loose even though it is secure
Cons
It is a lot smaller than advertised
It is lacking in terms of instructions and doesn’t give much besides just the pressure cooker
IMUSA is the #1 Hispanic & International cookware company. Innovative, authentic & affordable, IMUSA‘s line of products help bring the Abuelas’ (grandmas’) recipes to life, while also capturing the adventurist spirit of culinary globetrotters. Today, the IMUSA brand has moved beyond borders to become the leading brand of Hispanic housewares and a culinary brand ambassador of other international cuisines including the new Pan-Asian line of products.
Features
The IMUSA A417-80801W 7.2-Quart Pressure Cooker is easy to use and a must have for those who live on the go. Reduce cooking times by up to 75% while maintaining more nutrients and flavor and minerals than traditional cooking. It features an elegant polished aluminum finish, a triple valve safety system, and it comes with lid. Building up pressure to create hotter temperatures, the unit traps steam inside. Its tight seal locks in heat, moisture, and flavor. The IMUSA A417-80801W 7.2-Quart Pressure Cooker is easy to use and clean. It is made of aluminum and features cool touch handles with safety locking lid.
Pros
The handles were pre-attached and they don’t loosen after every use
It is easy to use, the size is perfect, and meat just falls off the bone
Reduces cook time by two-thirds
Cons
While not perfectly flat, the pan bottom is pretty flat inside
The center of the canner is a bit higher than the outer circumference
Aluminum is of low quality and easily gets scratched
