The Presto Pressure canners are one of the big three brands of pressure canners.
The Presto canners also do double-duty as water-bath canners, so if you have one, you don’t need to buy a separate water-bath canner as well (though note further down a restriction on the size of jars in the 16 quart.)
Presto has been making and selling home canners since at least 1915. They sell replacement parts for machines from way back, so they don’t leave their older models unsupported. The company appears to be very dedicated to and knowledgeable about this field.
See also: Other pressure canner brands
- 1 Presto canners are certified for glass stove tops
- 2 Presto’s three models of pressure canners
- 3 16 US quart (Model 1755 )
- 4 23 US quart (Model 1781)
- 5 23 US quart induction compatible (Model 1784)
- 6 Comparing the models
- 7 ‘Metric pints’ in Presto pressure canners
- 8 Inside lines on Presto pressure canners
- 9 Where to find the model number on a Presto canner
- 10 Maintenance
- 11 The Presto Manual
- 12 History of Presto
- 13 Other Presto Pressure Canner Topics
Presto canners are certified for glass stove tops
Presto’s website says of its 16 and 23 quart canners, “Constructed of extra-strong aluminum and suitable for use on regular and smooth-top ranges….” [1]Presto site. Accessed August 2017 at https://www.gopresto.com/products/products.php?stock=01781. Those canners’ manuals say, “If canning on an electric smoothtop range, clean the stovetop with a cooktop polishing cream, according to the stovetop manufacturer’s instructions, before and after canner use. In addition, to avoid scratching smoothtop ranges, check the bottom of the canner to be sure it is clean and free of debris and does not have any nicks or scratches.” [2]Prest0 23 Quart canner manual. Page 5.
(Some All-American models are also supported for glass stove tops.)
Presto advises to not drag the canners across the stovetop or scratching may occur.
Presto’s three models of pressure canners
As of 2020 Presto currently has in production three models of pressure canners: a 16 US quart (litre) and two that are 23 US quart (litre).
All are dial-gauge [3] “Presently Presto makes only dial gauge canners, although they made good quality weighted gauge canners in the past.” In: Bernardin FAQ. Accessed March 2015 at https://www.bernardin.ca/pages/faq/33.php#50 , and both are made of aluminum. The lids, handles, gauges, weights, shape of the bottom, stove surface contact area, and diameters of the three are identical; it’s the bottoms that are different.
All are certified by Presto as being safe for glass top stoves.
The price difference between the three is very little, only around 10 to 20 dollars depending upon where you buy it, showing it appears that most of the value is in the lid and accessories, rather than the simple “chassis” of the actual pot.
All require their bottom rack to be in place for the jars to sit properly in the pot (besides also being required to keep jar bottoms safely away from the direct source of heat.)
16 US quart (Model 1755 )
| Capacity in US jars | Capacity in metric jars |
|---|---|
| Regular Mouth 12 x US ½ pint regular-mouth jars 10 x US 1 pint regular-mouth jars 7 x US 1 quart regular-mouth jars Wide Mouth 8 x US ½ pint wide-mouth jars 8 x US 1 pint wide-mouth jars 7 x US 1 quart wide-mouth jars | Regular Mouth 13 x 250 ml regular-mouth jars 9 x 500 ml regular-mouth jars 7 x 1 litre regular-mouth jars Wide Mouth 8 x 250 ml wide-mouth jars 8 x 500 ml wide-mouth jars 7 x 1 litre wide-mouth jars |
[Ed: it actually holds 14 of the Kerr style jam jar half-pints]
Water bath canning: The 16 quart cannot be used for water-bathing US quart / litre jars, it is not tall enough for that. The Presto manual says, “Do not use the boiling water method with quart jars.” The jars will fit in, but there isn’t enough height room at the top of the pot after that to allow for bubbling water. It is fine for water bathing pint and ½ pint (½ and ¼ litre) jars.
Double-decking in the 16-quart Presto
Please note we are not officially endorsing any stacking that Presto does not. Presto doesn’t mention any stacking for this 16-quart model in the manual.
That being said, some users report unofficially that by using two stacking racks (the obligatory one for the bottom of the pot and the other for a top layer), they double stack in the following configurations for both water-bath and pressure canning:
- 2 layer of flat, wide-mouth 250 ml salmon jars (8 jars per layer);
- 1 layer of flat, wide-mouth 250 ml salmon jars (8 jars) and 1 layer of 250 ml tall regular-mouth jelly jars (13 jars.)
It might seem as though the model would hold 2 layers of 250 ml tall regular-mouth jelly jars but it won’t; the lid won’t quite close when the jar rings are in place.
See also: Double-decking.
23 US quart (Model 1781)
Here is Presto’s load table for the 23-quart. The first two rows of the table represent the canner when double-stocked with half-pints and pints.
For water bath canning, the 23 quart is ideal for water-bathing US quart / 1 litre jars; it is more tall enough for that.
| Capacity in US jars | Capacity in metric jars |
|---|---|
| Regular Mouth 12 x US ½ pint regular-mouth jars 10 x US 1 pint regular-mouth jars 7 x US 1 quart regular-mouth jars Wide Mouth 8 x US ½ pint wide-mouth jars 8 x US 1 pint wide-mouth jars 7 x US 1 quart wide-mouth jars | Regular Mouth 13 x 250 ml regular-mouth jars 9 x 500 ml regular-mouth jars 7 x 1 litre regular-mouth jars Wide Mouth 8 x 250 ml wide-mouth jars 8 x 500 ml wide-mouth jars 7 x 1 litre wide-mouth jars |
[Ed: it actually holds 14 of the Kerr style jam jar half-pints in each layer.]
Double-decking in the 23-quart Presto
Double-decking wide mouth ½ litre (US pint) jars. In the 23-US quart Presto, you can fit 8 on the bottom, 8 on the top, for a total of 16 jars.
With the 23 quart, and two stacking racks (the obligatory one for the bottom of the pot and the other for a top layer: see Accessories below), the following configurations are endorsed by Presto for pressure canning only; not for water-bathing [the Presto manual (page 11) says, “For boiling water method, do not double deck jars.”]:
- Two layers of US pint (½ litre) jars (18 jars in Canada, 20 in the US);
- 2 layer of flat, wide-mouth 250 ml salmon jars (8 jars per layer);
- 2 layers of 250 ml tall regular-mouth jelly jars (13 jars per layer);
- 1 layer of flat, wide-mouth 250 ml salmon jars (8 jars) and 1 layer of 250 ml tall regular-mouth jelly jars (13 jars).
You can’t double-deck a layer of quart (litre) jars and then a layer of pint (½ litre) jars on top of that. The pot is almost but not quite tall enough for that.
Healthycanning.com was curious about the prohibition on double-decking jars for water bath canning so we filled the 23-quart canner up with two layers of regular pint (½ litre) jars, and then with water to an inch (2 ½ cm) above the jars, and one reason became clear: the pot would just not be quite tall enough to allow the water to boil without boiling out over the stove. There may also be a weight consideration for glass-top stoves, which might be why the prohibition appears to apply to ½ pint (¼ litre) jars as well.
See also: Double-decking.
Triple-decking in the 23-quart Presto
Unofficially for the 23 quart if you have three stacking racks (the obligatory one for the bottom of the pot, and two for the layers), some users report that they sometimes triple stack in the following configurations for pressure canning:
- 3 layers of the flat, wide-mouth 250 ml salmon jars(8 jars per layer) 24 jars in total;
- 2 layers of the flat, wide-mouth 250 ml salmon jars (16 jars) plus 1 layer of 250 ml tall regular-mouth jelly jars (13 jars). 29 jars in total;
- 2 layers of 250 ml tall regular-mouth jelly jars (26 jars) plus 1 layer of flat, wide-mouth 250 ml salmon jars (8 jars). 34 jars in total.
Note: while the USDA has tested double-decking for water bathing and pressure canning, they have not tested triple decking. The concern, apparently is not one of heat distribution, but rather a mechanical one: would a third layer put too much weight on the bottom layer, pressing the canning rings down and preventing proper venting during processing, [and thus preventing a vacuum seal.] [4] Linda Ziedrich re discussion with Utah State Extension. Email on file. 20 May 2016. It would certainly be mildly annoying to have a whole layer of jars that did not seal.
It would take research-based study by the National Center or a reputable private-sector partner such as Ball, Bernardin or Presto to make a recommendation one way or the other on triple decking.
Until that happens, those who are doing it informally will want to make absolutely certain they are staggering the jars as much as possible to distribute the weight.
See also: Double-decking.
23 US quart induction compatible (Model 1784)
Same as for the regular 23 quart above, but has a stainless steel-clad base to make it compatible with induction burners. Will also work on non-induction stoves. Only a few dollars more (on Presto’s web site) than the non-steel bottom model.
All the accessories that work with the regular 23-quart will work with this 1784 induction-compatible model.
In the manual, Presto gives this caution about heat sources:
“Portable induction cooktops or other portable burners may not be suitable for canning. They may not have enough wattage to pressurize a fully loaded canner and/or they may not be able to support the weight of a fully loaded canner. Refer to the owner’s manual for your portable heat source for weight restrictions and other information. The canner itself weighs 17 pounds when it contains 3 quarts of water. An empty quart jar weighs approximately 14 ounces and an empty pint jar weighs approximately 9 ounces.” [5]Presto 23-quart induction compatible Pressure Canner manual. National Presto Industries, Inc. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 2019. Page 3.
Comparing the models
Apart from the induction compatible bottom on one of the 23 quart models, the main differences between the 16 quart and the 23 quart sizes would appear to be that:
- the 16 quart can’t water bath quart (litre) jars while the 23 quart can;
- the 16 quart can’t stack for a third layer of jars while the 23 quart unofficially can.
The 16 quart perhaps has a solid advantage of its own, though: it’s lighter on its feet energy-wise because of its smaller capacity. That means, it comes up to pressure far faster, and in theory should cost less in cooking fuel to keep it at pressure. It also cools down a bit faster. So, it’s a much better choice for smaller loads. It can feel like such a waste to fire up the 23 quart for 6 pint jars. With the 16 quart, not so much.
Shorter people, and older people, point out that getting enough “heft” going for the tall 23 quart on top a stove to lift or move it off a burner at the end of processing time can be an issue physically. That being said, even though the contemporary Presto models are much lighter than the older ones, and therefore a bit easier to move about, most people advise to not even try lifting or moving either size of the canner when it is full of jars and water.
The 23 quart sizes can take up to 45 minutes to come up to pressure, when full, depending.
The retail prices charged for the Presto canners can range wildly. Even on Amazon you will find different sellers selling the same model for wildly different prices. So shop around — paying more for your Presto doesn’t make it any better; it’s still the same canner.
If you’re not in a rush, sign up for https://camelcamelcamel.com/, and get it to watch amazon for you to tell you when the model you are after goes on sale. (Note you can select what country for Amazon you want watched.) This is a free service to you.
‘Metric pints’ in Presto pressure canners
When Presto says it will hold 10 regular-mouth pint jars per layer, it means US pints.
Jarden has now switched two of its brands — Bernardin and Golden Harvest — to metric sizing. As a result, the size of the regular mouth ‘pint’ jar has now increased from the old US pint (473 ml) to metric ( 500 ml / i.e. ½ litre). That’s about two tablespoons larger.
That makes the size of these new ‘metric pint’ jars a bit larger as well. Just enough, so that 10 no longer fit per layer. You will only get 9 Bernardin or Golden Harvest ½ litre (‘metric pint’) jars per layer. 8 around on the outside, and 1 in the middle.
Inside lines on Presto pressure canners
Current model Presto pressure canners have three lines engraved on the inside of them.
The lowest line concerns when you are using the pot as a pressure canner. The top two lines have nothing to do with canning (whether pressure or water-bathing); they are for when you are using the pot as a pressure cooker.
The Presto manual explains,
There are a few foods such as rice, grains, dry beans and peas, and soups which expand so much or foam and froth while cooking that the canner should never be filled above the ½ fill line. For other foods, never fill the canner above the ⅔ fill line. For your convenience, both the ⅔ and ½ full levels are marked by indentations on the side of the pressure canner body (Fig. Q). The top marking indicates the ⅔ full level and the middle marking the ½ full level. (The lowest marking is the 3-quart water level marking used for pressure canning.)” [6]Presto Pressure Canner and Cooker, 23 quart model, #72-719F. 2014. p 19
Some people say that despite the line, they still prefer to measure out the 3 litres / quarts using a measuring jug, as the fill line gets hard to see after the pot has been used a fair bit.
Where to find the model number on a Presto canner
The model number for current Presto pressure canners is located on the exterior body of the canner below one of the handles. (Older models will have a metal label on the lid.)
Maintenance
Presto offers parts, manuals and support for models of theirs going back decades (in addition to many other now-defunct brands.)
You can call Presto for parts, use their Presto parts locator (choose “canners” from the list), or look on Amazon for the free shipping.
Replacement gauges are also very inexpensive. The Presto part number is 85772. It fits these models: 01/CG22, 175001, 175005, 175006, 01751 (18 quart dial gauge), 01755, 01755 (16 quart, dial gauge), 178001, 178005, 178006, 01781 (23 quart dial gauge).
The Presto Manual
Presto’s pressure canner manual is considered to contain reliable home canning advice; see here.
History of Presto
The Presto Company started in 1905 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, under the name of Northwestern Steel and Iron Works. It made very large 50 US gallon capacity pressure canning machines for commercial canneries. Later on, it began making smaller 30 gallon ones for hotels, and then later, 10 gallon sizes for home use. By 1915, home sales were good enough to justify the company setting up an aluminum foundry dedicated to the home-sales business.
Sometime after 1917 the company name was changed to: “National Pressure Cooker Company.”
In 1939, they introduced the name “Presto” for their first saucepan-style pressure cooker.
During the Second World War, almost all of their production facilities were converted to producing war materiel, with only a small number of canners made for and distributed through the government victory garden and home canning programs.
In 1945, the company introduced their 16 quart canner for the home.
In 1953 the company name was changed to “National Presto Industries, Inc.” [7] Presto Company History. Accessed March 2015 at https://www.gopresto.com/information/history.php .
Other Presto Pressure Canner Topics
Presto Pressure Canner 3-piece Regulator Weight
Presto Pressure Canner Accessories
Presto Pressure Canner Gauge Testing
Presto Pressure Canner Manual
Presto Pressure Canner Replacement Rings / Gaskets
References
Anita Krause
I have a 16 – Quart- presto canner ,for some reason I lost the white rubber gasket that goes around the pressure steam Gage. where can I find another one to replace it. Help !
Sally Beck
Can I still use my grandma’s old Presto 12 QT or has it become “unsafe” after having been used for 50 years by 3 generations without a single trip to the ER. Because a lot of state extensions are now saying ONLY 16 qt or larger pressure canners are safe because that is the size the USDA tested it’s methods on. The state extensions don’t care if it holds 4 quart jars or 400 quart jars. Only that it’s volume is at least 16 quarts.
Healthy Canning
Some extensions are saying that, but the USDA and the National Center are still holding to their size guidance of must hold 4 quart jars. The National Center has often told us they are leery of some of the advice that some of the Extensions give out and don’t know where they got their information from or what research they are basing it on.
Rebecca Johansen
I am using my new Presto Model 01755 16 qt pressure canner for the first time.
I have done everything according to the instructions. When the canner came up to pressure (10 lbs) then the pressure regulator remained stationary. the instructions indicated that it would be rocking releasing some pressure. This a problem or is it just because the pressure was below 15 lbs.?
Margaret
If you are using the regulator that came with the canner, it is only good for 15 lb. You would need to switch it out with the 3 piece regulator weight in order to have rocking at 10 lb. The 3 piece weight can measure 5 lb, 10lb, and 15 lb.
Samantha Jones
Can you mix different jars sizes and pressurize together ?
Healthy Canning
Yes, but the processing time you use has to be for the longest time jar in there, so smaller jars may be a bit overprocessed, but that’s a quality issue, not a safety issue.
Daniel
Is it safe to add a fourth quart/litre of 180°F water to the presto 23qt pressure canner in order to avoid running out of water?
I ran out last night and warped the bottom of the canner while pressure canning 1″ chunks of chicken for 90 minutes (2qts and 5 pints).
Healthy Canning
Contact Presto pressure canner support to discuss what happened. A first guess is that burner heat was far too high, causing too much water to vent. Remember, it’s a pressure canner, not a steam engine.
Miss Conserves
Oh and where did you find the information about Presto approving the use of its canners on glass stove tops? I have some of my customers who’s Presto refused to honor the waranty on broken canners because they were used on glass stove tops. Thank you!
Healthy Canning
Good point. That statement needed backup. Added now. https://www.healthycanning.com/presto-canners/#presto-canners-are-certified-for-glass-stove-tops
Miss Conserves
Oh wow, finaly an answer to that 1/2 line, even at Presto the person on the phone could not answer that question!
Please note that the French version of the owner’s manual has not been revised since 1980 and the infomations in it are not up to date.
Healthy Canning
Wow you somehow got hold of a really old one from the 1980s? The version currently shipping in French is 2003. Information about the French presto manual. https://www.healthycanning.com/presto-pressure-canner-manual/#presto-french-manual
Miss Conserves
Actually, I got this information from the customer service manager at Presto that it has not been revised since 1980. Some sentences are a bit hard to understand for french speakers. I get a lot of questions about it from my clients. And like you mentionned in your text, the “pint” is definitly a problem. They should include metric mesurement for us canadians.
Healthy Canning
Agreed about the metric. The person you spoke to is misinformed about the French manual. I’m not surprised. The date is right on it, and the directions in it are definitely post 1988. One example is “Pour les chopines, utilisez 1 c. à table de jus de citron en bouteille ou ¼ c. à thé d’acide citrique.” Those are USDA directions and the USDA did not mandate that until 1988. All the other directions are also USDA Complete Guide directions. The USDA Complete Guide did not exist until late in 1988, quickly revised again in 1989.
Gail Jenkins
can you use these on induction stove top
Healthy Canning
Hi Gail, we discuss glass stove tops here: https://www.healthycanning.com/canning-on-glass-and-induction-stove-tops/
Jahn Bauer
Yes. Presto hase one variant: 23 Quart induction-compatible pressure canner:
https://www.gopresto.com/product/23-quart-induction-compatible-pressure-canner-with-stainless-steel-clad-base-01784
joyce clark
Iwant to try double stack canning quart jars. Do I cover top layer of jars with water ? I use a presto pressure canner. Or do I just put so much in the bottom of canner ?
Healthy Canning
No Presto canner is tall enough to allow stacking of quart jars, whether you are water-bath canning or pressure canning. You will get a single layer of 7 jars, at a time.
Molly
While I came to this website for the answer to a question that still remains unanswered, I am really glad I did find you. What wonderful information you have available here. I’ll be bookmarking, sharing and referencing this site a lot I can tell. Thank you so very much!!
Robin
Can I dbl stack in the 16 qt canner?
Healthy Canning
Hi Robin,
Here is a link to our notes on that: https://www.healthycanning.com/presto-canners/#double-decking-in-the-16-quart-presto
Bethany Jobb
Can this product be used on a propane stove top?
Healthy Canning
Hi Bethany,
I’m going to suggest that you contact Presto directly, and when you do, provide full details of what your propane stove top is, to save time.
Here’s the contact page for Presto: https://www.gopresto.com/products/parts.php
Their customer service is excellent and really knowledgeable.
TODD FISCHER
there is a minimum water level line on the inside wall of the canner near the bottom, cut right into the canner.
there is also a maximum ( HIGH WATER) water level line 2/3 rds of the way up the inside wall of the canner, cut right into the canner.
WITH THE JARS INSIDE, DON’T OVER FILL THE CANNER MORE THAN 2/3 WITH WATER ( UP TO THE HIGH WATER LINE )
if I had to pick which level to operate the canner, I would fill it to the 2/3 level, since I don’t want to run out of water ! KaBoom !
Healthy Canning
Hi Todd, the lowest line near the bottom is for pressure canning. It indicates the 3 litres / quarts that Presto advises you put into the canner, when you are doing pressure canning.
The other two lines are for when you are using it as a pressure cooker. They are max fill lines for food when you are pressure cooking. They don’t have to do with canning, whether water-bathing or pressure canning. See the “Important Safety Information” section of the manual. People often forget that these pots make great pressure cookers as well!
Thanks for raising the topic of the lines. We’ve now added a section to clarify what they are for. Cheers!
jeri
I have a presto 74 can I still get a gas get and gage for it
Healthy Canning
Hi Jeri, here’s the parts and contact page for Presto: https://www.gopresto.com/products/parts.php
Their customer service is excellent and really knowledgeable.