Presto 23-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker/Canner

Other Presto products

Product Features

• 23-quart pressure cooker/canner holds 20 pint jars or 7 quart jars
• Constructed of extra-strong, warp-resistant aluminum; suitable for use on regular and smooth-top ranges
• Air vent/cover lock allows pressure to build up only when the cover is closed properly
• Easy-to-read gauge automatically registers a complete range of processing pressures
• Includes cooking/canning rack and complete instruction and recipe book

Product Details

Product Manual [1.32mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 15.4 x 15.1 x 14.8 inches ; 12 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000BYCFU
• Item model number: 01781
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (135 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12 in Kitchen & Dining (See Bestsellers in Kitchen & Dining)

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  #1 in	Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets > Specialty Tools & Gadgets > Canning Equipment
  #1 in	Kitchen & Dining > Cookware & Baking > Pressure Cookers

Product Description

Amazon.com Review
The USDA recommends pressure canning as the only safe method for low-acid foods such as vegetables, meats, and poultry. The Presto 23-quart pressure canner is more than adequate for any home canning needs. It's a professional-quality tool, made of heavy-duty aluminum, with stay-cool handles and a strong-lock steel lid. An accompanying rack fits down into the pot to keep jars up off the bottom, so that liquid can circulate underneath. And it can do double duty as a large pressure cooker. It's easy to cook healthfully with pressure cookers, since the food retains so much more of its nutrients and flavor.

The sturdy lid locks down during canning or cooking; an inner sealing ring keeps the steam in. In addition to a pop-up pressure indicator and a simple steam release mechanism, there is an overpressure plug that will let off steam if it builds up excessively. The pressure dial gauge gives an accurate reading so that pressure can be kept constant during canning. This pressure canner is also a cooker that's useful for weeknight dinners or for any meal that needs to come together quickly. An accompanying booklet contains more than 50 recipes, ranging from basic soup stocks to stews and pot roasts--even sweets like English Plum Pudding or Brown Bread! Tenderize lean cuts of beef or pork, or cook chicken, fish, or vegetables faster than you can in a microwave, and without losing moisture.

Nonabrasive cleansers are best for cleaning this aluminum pressure cooker, though occasional use of a fine metal polish will help the exterior keep its shine. The lid of the Presto 23-quart pressure canner is not immersible. In addition, the sealing ring should be removed after each use to allow cleaning of the inside rim of the lid. The dial gauge is delicate; detailed care instructions are found in the accompanying booklet. The vent pipe is simple to keep clean with a small brush or pipe cleaner, and both the air vent/cover lock and the overpressure plug are removable. The pressure cooker measures 14 inches in diameter (17 inches including handles) and 15-1/2 inches tall (including lid). Presto guarantees this pressure cooker with an extended 12-year warranty. A detailed instruction and recipe booklet is included; special safety issues that pertain to pressure cookers are clearly explained. --Garland Withers

Product Description
Holds 7 quarts, 20 pints or 24 1/2 pint jars. Features readable steam gauge for easy and accurate pressure control. Extra strong, warp-resistant aluminum construction provides fast, even heating. Doubles as a large capacity pressure cooker. Gleaming, polished finish for lasting beauty. Cooking/canning rack and complete instruction/recipe booklet. 23 Qt. capacity.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

127 of 128 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent pressure canner at a great price!, May 12, 2006

By	Kauaijohn (West Central Illinois) - See all my reviews

I decided to purchase this pressure canner after an exhaustive search online. This was the best price of any of the other sites I checked. I'll admit that the review from the woman whose canner "LITERALLY exploded" had me a little concerned, but since it was the only negative review, I decided to chance it since the price was so good ($79.97 and Free Super Saver shipping)! Best of all, it arrived in TWO DAYS!!!

The first thing I did was take the pressure gauge to my local county extension office (as recommended by the manufacturer) where they tested it and found it to be working perfectly. After getting their "OK", I hit the produce sales at my local market.

Even if you don't have a garden, you can still can fresh fruits and vegetables. I've already made 8 jars of strawberry jam using the hot water method, and canned enough tomato sauce to get me through until my own tomatoes are ripe and ready for the canner later this Summer. Unlike commercially canned or frozen produce, I can control what ingredients go into my food!

The instruction book that comes with this pressure canner gives different ways to can most foods depending on if you want to can them (1)"cooked" so you can warm them up when you're ready to use them or (2)just safely preserved to be cooked right before serving or using in recipes.

Overall, an excellent pressure canner at a great price! Just follow the manufacturer's instructions - including having the pressure gauge checked by your county extension office - and you should have no problems preserving fresh, healthy foods for yourself, your family, and your loved ones.

95 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Canner, June 12, 2007

By	Cheyenne Ann "Ann" (CHEYENNE, WY United States) - See all my reviews

I had a pressure canner many years ago. Bought it at a hardware store. No guage, but it did the job. Did I sell it at a yard sale? Don't know where it went, anyway.

Decided recently to can again. So I read tons of reviews, Internet articles, compared features and prices. The Presto 1781 is the one I decided on. Amazon had it with free shipping, which made this doll the perfect deal for me.

I have used it as a canner about 5 times already. Have not just pressure-cooked in it. Here are my observations: Easy to use. Follow the instructions in the book, and you are good to go. This baby is heavy! Moving it off the heat when it is full of jars is no small feat (especially when using as a boiling bath canner)! Eat a good breakfast! Half pint and pint jars stack nicely. I have not tried to can more than 7 quarts yet, so am not disappointed that the max is 7 quarts. I put up 7 qts of chili yesterday and my huge cookpot was pretty full. Any more would have been too much anyway.

When using as a boiling bath canner, be careful when taking the jars out, especially when putting up half pint wide mouth jars, as the jar lifters are not very long and you can burn yourself getting that bottom set out. While you can use long tongs for half pints, I tried and ended up with a mess of hot strawberry jam all over and inbetween the stove and cabinet. So, use a jar lifter and hold it tightly!

I like the guage on this canner. I have never used one with a guage before. After a couple of uses, I find I can take my eyes off it once it gets to correct pressure by the sound of the pressure regulator. It gets noisy when it gets too high. I live at 6800 feet altitude, and everything pressure canned has to be done at 14 lbs. 15 makes a noise and that's my signal to lower the heat.

I have a ceramic top stove and have no issues with this canner on my stove top. The canner bottom is flat and heats up evenly.

I love this canner. Just wish it folded up when not in use--it's a big honker!

66 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finely - something to handle those tomatos, August 30, 2005

By	L. Jamison - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been wanting one of these for a while & glad I got it. It is easy to put together, is HUGE, and the book is helpful in calming any nightmare stories you have heard.
If you have wanted one of these things - this is a great one & you can't beat the price.
I have a flat top stove too & it worked. I think it may have taken longer for the water to heat to the right temperature but held up fine. Be aware that the pan is very large & even a gas stove will need the bigest flame it has.