Q.A friend of mine bought me a pressure canner for a buck or two at a yard sale. But. I have not had the nerve to use the thing, since it was SO cheap-I wonder if it might be broken. The seal looks a bit cracked and such too. I have been wondering if there is a place that I could take it to in order to get it 'okayed' and possibly fixed. Do you know of any bigger companies (that span from Canada to US) that I could take it too. I have heard too many scary stories to 'chance' my first attempt with a faulty canner. Thanks. Rebecca

A. Yes you can have it tested!  My USA friends have mentioned to me that you have agriculture extension offices down there.   They should be able to help you out.  Is your canner a weight gauge or dial gauge?  If it’s older I’m going to guess it just has the weighted “jiggle” pressure control.  They are my favorite!  Dial gages work ok but you have to keep an eye on them.  A weighted one you can see and hear how it’s doing.  If it starts to jiggle to fast just turn the temperature down a little.  You want a nice gentle rocking.  This company http://www.pressurecooker-outlet.com/ 

It’s were I bought my canners from, it’s in the USA.  They also sell parts.

If the seal (gasket) looks warn you should replace it.  On the bottom of the canner it should give a make and model number.  You should be able to find the parts you need at the website above or at a hardware store.  Ours up here don’t carry canning parts, but I’ve been told that ACE hardware down there does.  The gasket must be in good shape to seal properly.  

After that check and see if there are any dents along the sealing edge of the pot and lid. If this is all ok, once you replace the gasket you should be able to give it a test run.  Do you have a manual for it?  Often you can find used ones but they basically all run the same. 

In the middle of the lid there is a steel pipe that’s were the weight sits on.  Each time you use your canner hold the lid up to a light and make sure you can see through it.  You don’t want it to be clogged; you can also clean it by running a pipe cleaner through it.

I’ll write up a basic how to use a pressure canner/cooker article latter today.  But as long as it’s in good shape I wouldn’t hesitate to use it.  I’ve seen many older but great canners go so cheep on ebay before and there was nothing wrong with them.

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Posted by Anonymous

Thanks for posting this Kim. We have an extension agent very close by-I don't know why I didn't think of that! :-) Rebecca from Renaissance

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