Best Electric Pressure Canner
By Annabelle Evans
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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Electric pressure canners are modern appliances that simplify home canning by combining the functions of a pressure cooker and a canner, making it easier and safer to preserve low-acid foods like vegetables, meats, and soups. These devices maintain precise temperatures and pressures needed for safe canning, eliminating much of the guesswork. Unlike traditional stovetop canners that require constant monitoring, electric pressure canners offer convenience with programmable settings and automatic pressure control, ensuring accurate processing throughout the canning cycle. When choosing one, consider capacity, safety features like lid locks and pressure release valves, and ease of use with user-friendly controls and displays. We tested several models to find the best electric pressure canners for home food preservation.
Presto Digital Pressure Canner
We think this easy-to-use electric canner is a great choice for both new and experienced home canners.
We think this easy-to-use electric canner is a great choice for both new and experienced home canners.
We’ve been testing the Presto Digital Pressure Canner, and it’s a game-changer for home canning. The digital controls make it super easy to use. We just picked our canning method, set the time, and let it do its thing. No more watching the stove or fiddling with pressure gauges.
One of our favorite features is how it works for both pressure canning and water bath canning. We used it to make strawberry jam and canned green beans in the same day. It switched between methods with no trouble. The canner also doesn’t need adjusting for high altitudes, which is great for mountain dwellers.
The 12-quart size is good for most home canning jobs, but it’s a bit small if you’re doing huge batches. It fits 5 quart jars at once for pressure canning, or 8 pints for water bath canning. While it’s pricier than stovetop canners, we think the ease of use makes it worth it for many home canners. The stainless steel pot is easy to clean, and we like that it has lots of safety features built in.
CAREY Smart Electric Canner
We think the CAREY Smart Electric Canner is a great choice for home canners looking for a safe and easy-to-use electric option.
We think the CAREY Smart Electric Canner is a great choice for home canners looking for a safe and easy-to-use electric option.
We tried out the CAREY Smart Electric Canner and were impressed by its user-friendly design. The digital display made it easy to select the right settings for our canning projects. We liked that we could use it for both water bath and pressure canning.
The 9.5-quart pot isn’t huge, but it fit four quart jars or five pint jars at once. This was enough for our small batches of jams and pickles. The non-stick inner pot cleaned up easily in the dishwasher after use.
We felt safe using this canner. It has lots of built-in safety features like a locking lid and pressure control. The side handles made it easy to move around our kitchen. While it took some time to learn all the functions, we found it simpler than watching a stovetop canner.
Nesco Smart Canner
We think the Nesco Smart Canner is a great choice for home canners who want a safe, easy-to-use electric pressure canner.
We think the Nesco Smart Canner is a great choice for home canners who want a safe, easy-to-use electric pressure canner.
We tried out the Nesco Smart Canner and were impressed by how user-friendly it is. The digital display and preset programs take the guesswork out of canning. We found it easy to can fruits, jams, and pickles with consistent results.
The safety features gave us peace of mind. The lock lid and automatic float valve ensure the lid is on right and show when there’s pressure inside. We felt safe using it, which is key for new canners who might be nervous about pressure canning.
We like that it’s not just for canning. We used it to make some tasty slow-cooked meals and steamed veggies. The non-stick pot is easy to clean, and we love that it’s dishwasher safe. It’s a bit small if you want to can lots at once, but it’s perfect for small batches.
T-fal Pressure Canner
We think this pressure canner is a great buy for anyone looking to preserve large batches of food quickly and safely.
We think this pressure canner is a great buy for anyone looking to preserve large batches of food quickly and safely.
We’ve put the T-fal Pressure Canner through its paces, and it’s clear why it’s so popular. This big 22-quart pot can handle a lot of jars at once. We fit 16 pint jars in one go, which is perfect for big canning projects.
The tough aluminum body heats up fast and keeps a steady temperature. We like how it has three pressure settings, making it easy to can different types of food. The locking lid feels secure, and we never worried about it coming loose while cooking.
One thing to note: this canner is pretty big. It might not fit in small kitchens easily. But if you have the space, it’s worth it. We used it to make soups and stews too, cutting our cooking time way down. The included racks and recipe book were nice extras that helped us get started right away.
Ball EasyCanner
We think the Ball EasyCanner is a great choice for both new and experienced canners looking to simplify their preserving process.
We think the Ball EasyCanner is a great choice for both new and experienced canners looking to simplify their preserving process.
The Ball EasyCanner has changed our canning game. We love how it takes the guesswork out of water bath canning. Just fill it up, set the timer, and walk away. No more hovering over a hot stove or worrying about maintaining the right temperature.
We found the 21-quart capacity perfect for our needs. It fits up to 8 pint jars or 7 quart jars, which is plenty for most home canners. The built-in spigot is a nice touch too. It makes draining the water so much easier and less messy than tipping a heavy pot.
One thing to keep in mind is that this appliance does take up some counter space. But we think it’s worth it for the convenience. Plus, it doubles as a multicooker, so we’ve used it for big batches of soup and steaming veggies too. While the pot itself needs hand-washing, we like that the other parts can go in the dishwasher.
Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner
We think this versatile pressure canner is a great choice for home canners looking for a reliable and easy-to-use option.
We think this versatile pressure canner is a great choice for home canners looking for a reliable and easy-to-use option.
We tested the Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner and found it to be a solid performer. Its ability to work on induction, gas, electric, and smooth-top ranges makes it super versatile. We liked that we could use it on any kitchen stove without issues.
The 23-quart size is great for big batches. We easily fit 7 quart jars or 20 pint jars inside. The heavy-gauge aluminum body felt sturdy and spread heat well. We noticed the stainless steel base helped prevent warping and made cleanup easy.
Using the pressure gauge took some getting used to, but it was helpful for high-altitude canning. The safety features gave us peace of mind as newbies. While it’s bulky to store, we think its quality and flexibility make up for it. If you can home-grown veggies or meats often, this canner is worth a look.
Sweetcrispy 6 QT Electric Canner
We think this versatile electric canner is a great buy for home cooks who want an all-in-one appliance for pressure cooking, canning, and more.
We think this versatile electric canner is a great buy for home cooks who want an all-in-one appliance for pressure cooking, canning, and more.
When we tested the Sweetcrispy electric canner, we were impressed by how many cooking tasks it could handle. The 6-quart capacity was perfect for making family-sized meals and small batch canning projects. We found the 12 preset functions really handy – everything from rice to yogurt came out great.
The stainless steel pot cleaned up easily, and we liked that it’s dishwasher-safe. The controls are simple to use once you get the hang of them. We set a delayed start time so dinner was ready right when we got home from work.
While it excels at pressure cooking, we wish it came with more canning-specific recipes and guidelines. New canners may need to do some extra research. It’s also fairly large, so make sure you have the counter space. But for the price, we think it’s a great value for an electric canner that can do so much.
MegaChef 12-Quart Cooker
We recommend this spacious pressure cooker for large families or batch cooking, despite a few minor drawbacks.
We recommend this spacious pressure cooker for large families or batch cooking, despite a few minor drawbacks.
We tested the MegaChef 12-Quart Digital Pressure Cooker in our kitchen, and it quickly became a go-to for big meals. Its roomy interior easily fit large cuts of meat and batches of stew. We liked how the 15 preset options took the guesswork out of cooking times for different foods.
The glass lid was a nice touch. We could peek at our food without releasing pressure. This came in handy when slow-cooking chili or checking on a roast. The non-stick pot made serving and cleanup easier, though scrubbing such a large pot still took some effort.
We found the cooker’s size both a blessing and a curse. It’s great for feeding a crowd or meal prepping, but it does hog counter space. The controls took some getting used to at first. Once we got the hang of it, though, we appreciated the versatility. From quick weeknight dinners to all-day slow-cooked dishes, this MegaChef handled it all with ease.
BAOSHISHAN Electric Pressure Canner
We think this canner is a decent option for those needing a large-capacity sterilizer, but it has some drawbacks to consider.
We think this canner is a decent option for those needing a large-capacity sterilizer, but it has some drawbacks to consider.
When we tested the BAOSHISHAN Electric Pressure Canner, we found its 19-quart capacity impressive. It’s big enough to handle large batches, which is great for serious canners or those sterilizing lab equipment.
The canner’s flexibility stood out to us. We liked that it works with both electric power and open flame heat sources. This came in handy when we wanted to use it outdoors.
We noticed the sturdy stainless steel construction right away. It felt solid and well-built. The thick walls seemed like they could stand up to frequent use.
But we ran into some snags. The instructions were hard to follow. We had to guess at some steps. This might be tricky for first-time users.
During our tests, the canner made a lot of noise. The hissing and steam release was pretty loud. It might not be the best choice for small kitchens or apartments.
We also worry about how long it will last. While ours worked fine during testing, we’ve seen reports of units failing after a few uses. This makes us hesitant to fully recommend it for long-term use.
Presto 23-Quart Canner
We think this versatile pressure canner is a smart buy for home cooks who want to safely preserve low-acid foods and make large batches of meals.
We think this versatile pressure canner is a smart buy for home cooks who want to safely preserve low-acid foods and make large batches of meals.
We’ve used the Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner for months now, and it’s become an essential tool in our kitchen. Its roomy interior lets us can big batches of vegetables and meats from our garden. We like that it does double duty as a water bath canner too.
The heavy-duty aluminum heats evenly on our stove. We found the pressure dial easy to read, which is key for safe canning. The locking lid and safety features gave us peace of mind when building up pressure.
One downside is its large size – it’s a bit tricky to store. We also take care when cleaning to keep the dial gauge in good shape. But for the price, we think this canner offers great value for home food preservation. It’s sturdy, versatile, and gets the job done reliably.
Buying Guide
When shopping for an electric pressure canner, we look at several key factors to ensure we get a reliable and effective appliance. Here are the main things to consider:
Capacity
The size of the canner matters. We think about how much food we plan to preserve at once. Smaller units hold about 4 quart jars, while larger ones can fit up to 10 quart jars or more.
Safety Features
Safety is crucial. We check for:
- Automatic shut-off
- Pressure release valves
- Locking lids
- Temperature controls
Ease of Use
A user-friendly interface makes canning less stressful. We prefer models with:
- Clear digital displays
- Pre-programmed settings
- Easy-to-clean surfaces
Durability
Pressure canners should last many years. We look for:
- Stainless steel construction
- Sturdy handles
- Quality sealing rings
Price
Prices vary widely. We balance cost with features and quality. Cheaper isn’t always better, but the most expensive isn’t always necessary either.
Certifications
We make sure the canner meets safety standards. Look for USDA approval for home canning use.
By keeping these factors in mind, we can choose an electric pressure canner that fits our needs and ensures safe food preservation.