30 replies to this topic

[anna]

Have you checked with some of the older ladies in your church or neighborhood who still live in their own homes? They often have one stuck away somewhere they will loan or give or sell for a reasonable price. Before you buy be sure you can still get seals and other parts.

[ArmyOfFive4God]

Originally Posted By: Darlene

Don't can the kids...the USDA frowns upon that.

But is it safe?

[anna]

If you take your canner to the extension office they will check it for you. If you are having the pressure gauge tested you only need to take the lid. However, you cannot just walk in and get it tested most places. It has to be scheduled. In my area of Iowa they put notices in the newspaper of testing dates. They usually test at each county's extension office in late May/early June. On occasion they have fall testing dates. I get a card each year with the dates so I suppose they must send a card to everyone who had their canner tested the previous year.

I have two canners purchased at estate auctions for $5 and $10. Both in like new condition.

[herbal]

hi I need some help I just picked up a used AAcanner 915 small but the price was right I think,,,,,40.00 plus 4 cases of jars...I got it home and noticed the lid isnt totally flush on one side I can get the clamps on .I mean the lip of the pot and the lid dont totally touch on one side...Any one have info on this I dont have a clue as I have a mirro canner.Ive had my mirro for 3 months and not all that happy with the weight set and look forward to moving up to this canner for safety stuff...I hope to be getting a huge AA canner from this same person shortly sure hope this isnt to good to be true I think ill be getting it cheap as well from a yard sale.Any thoughts on this

[Darlene]

The AA you have, if I'm understanding you correctly, should touch metal to metal all the way around. If there isn't a seal around the lid and the body of the canner, then pressure cannot rise and steam will escape.

[herbal]

Darlene would it be safe to try it Im abit nervous with canners still a learner

[Darlene]

I would just try it with about 2-3 inches in the bottom of the canner. If any steam comes out any place except for the vent, then there's probably a problem. There should be no reason for any steam to be coming out of the sides at all.

There's nothing to be afraid of...all you'll be doing is heating up the water so that it will create steam, which will come out one way or another. You're not taking it all the way up to pressure to process anything, so once you see where the steam escapes, you can turn the stove off.

[herbal]

okay Im not sure how the pressure cooker steam gauge works and what is this metal stem thing do.I will be ordering a book ,but would like to test it again I did it once and I couldnt hear steam coming out anywhere after it got started.With my mirro I can hear steam pushing the weights around how does the AA work???Should I hear hissing all the time it was quiet and then I saw the gauge go up and I shut it off for Im not sure yet about safety and this is not a cooker Im used to yet.Do the guages have to be tested once a year..How about weight regulators can they be put on with only one piece the big weight and no other parts to convert over I will change over if it doesnt have to be checked yearly as I live on a island and it is a hassle to find a place to check????

[Darlene]

Ok herbal...what AA canner did you get? I assume it is a used one? Does it have a petcock vent pipe or is it all set up for a weighted gauge?

You can get the dial gauge checked out if you want, but if it's a weighted gauge canner, you'll rely on the weight for accurate pressure and not the dial.

The AA weight is one weight for each of the different pressures...5, 10 and 15lbs pressure. There are little holes on the side of the weight right next to the number. You'll place the appropriate hole over the vent pipe, for the pressure you're trying to attain...usually 10lbs or 15lbs pressure.

[Yart]

I just got 1 of the old national pressure canners..... The only thing on the top of the lid is the pressure gauge. My question is that do I need to replace these things and the ring before I take it in to have it tested.... Or would that just be a waste of money if the canner doesn't work?

[Violet]

You can wait on the overpressure plug and ring. They would just check to see that they are soft and pliable. You only need the gauge for it to be tested.
You can order a new gauge for it still. Then, even a new gauge needs testing before use, as they can be off by as much as 4 lb. right out of the box.
That old canner is not suitable to converting over to a weighted gauge canner. I tried that already. The weights won't fit the vent pipe on that model.
So, it has to be used as a dial gauge canner.