Embrace Pressure Canning for Home Food Preservation

If pressure canning seems intimidating to you, take some time to learn about the process and how it can be a safe method for preserving food at home. 

Originally published February 2016; this post has been updated.

jars of stew, lids off, ready for pressure canning.

What is Pressure Canning?

A pressure canner is a specialized piece of equipment that can reach in excess of 240ºF inside. That temperature cannot be achieved in a simple boiling water bath; water boils at 212ºF which is not hot enough to kill botulism spores.

Canners like this have a lock-on lid that retains steam when heated. As part of the process, all air is pushed out of the canner and steam is trapped inside. This causes pressure to build, allowing the temperature in the pressure canner to rise above normal boiling point.

Why is this important? Pressure canning is the only safe way to make low acid foods shelf stable.

What about electric pressure cookers? Is canning in an Instant Pot safe for pressure canning food? Read this!

Still learning about canning? Please visit this page to learn about the various canning equipment and how the process works.

vegetables in canning jars from above

What are Low Acid Foods?

Food items that have a pH above 4.6 are classified as low acid foods. These include dry beans, meats, seafood, broth, and most garden vegetables. Figs, banana, and papaya are fruits that fall into the low acid category. 

Note: canning green beans and cucumbers can be done in a water bath canner if you are pickling them; the addition of vinegar acidifies these items.

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Tomatoes are right on the line and can be pressure canned or acidified to create a safe product for water bath canning.

blank canning label.

Planning on doing lots of canning this year? Grab a FREE download of these cute printable canning labels — complete with a gentle reminder to return the jar, in case you’re giving some as gifts!

 

These low acid foods have the potential to harbor a dangerous bacterium called clostridium botulinum, so they need to be processed with that in mind.

A temperature high enough to kill toxic spores can only be achieved with a pressure canner operated at 10.5 psi at sea level.

If you live at higher elevations, you will need to adjust accordingly. See chart below for recommended adjustments based on your altitude.

Note for tropical canners: It’s recommended by the Hawai‘i Master Food Preservers that you consider a pH of 4.2 as the demarcation line between acidic and low-acid foods and use 11 psi at sea level as a baseline.

It’s important to note that it’s not the pressure that kills bacteria. It’s the heat. And as already mentioned, that kind of heat can only be achieved under pressure.

pressure gauge on canner

Pressure Canner Safety

While this may all sound like a bit much, modern day pressure canners are much safer than your grandma’s canner. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions, though.

There are two different types of pressure canners available: weighted gauge pressure canners and dial gauge canners. The former jiggles under pressure and it can be a bit noisy during processing. A dial gauge pressure canner displays the pressure inside the canner.

I use an All American canner. Its lid is locked in place, tightened down with strong wing nuts. If excessive pressure ever built up, steam would dislodge the weight and dissipate through the vent pipe.

This is also the brand that my Master Food Preserver program uses in their classes. It has a metal-to-metal seal, meaning that there is no rubber gasket to maintain. 

Carefully watching the pressure gauge and monitoring the heat while processing will prevent excessive steam from building up.

Pressure canning can seem intimidating when you are just learning how to preserve food. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to confidently using your pressure canner.

Maintaining your Equipment

A pressure canner is different than a regular cooking pot and needs extra care. Dial gauge canners need to be calibrated annually for safety. Contact your local cooperative extension office or the manufacturer to find out where you can have this done.

Avoid immersing the lids of dial gauge canners in water, as water can get into the gauge and cause damage.

human hand setting canning jar in a pressure canner

Processing Jars for Food Preservation

You’ll fill and seal canning jars for pressure canning recipes much the same way you would for water bath canning. The difference is that you’ll need a bigger headspace between the product and the jar rim. 

Transfer full jars to the canner and process according to recipe instructions. 

Follow the full step-by-step instructions below.

🍅 Safety First!

Canning is an excellent way to preserve food for the pantry, but there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind. The recipes on this site have been made following safe canning procedures by a certified Master Food Preserver.

  • Know the difference between water bath canning and pressure canning. Low acid items must be pressure canned for safety. 
  • Altering ingredients may change the recipe’s pH, posing a safety issue. I highly recommend investing in pH paper to test your products for acidity level when canning. Note: For safe water bath canning, the Hawaii Master Food Preservers suggest a pH of 4.2 or lower in the tropics. In other regions, the recommended pH is 4.6 or lower.
  • Use the proper jars and lids. Never reuse lids, with the exception of the Tattler or Harvest Right hard plastic lids that are intended for such a purpose.
  • For more on canning equipment, please go here
  • Want to learn more? The National Center for Home Food Preservation is the go-to resource for safe canning information.

7 jars in a pressure canner

Step-by-step guide to pressure canning

Step-by-step guide to pressure canning

Yield: 7 quart jars
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Cost: varies by product

This guide walks you through the basics of safe pressure canning, no matter what recipe you choose to make.

Materials

  • Ingredients for making the recipe of choice

Tools

  • Pressure canner
  • Canning jars, lids, and rings
  • Jar lifter

Instructions

Take the time to read the manufacturer’s guidelines before beginning. There will be some variations between manufacturers so you need to understand your particular model.

Preparing the product

  1. Wash and rinse jars and rings in hot water. Inspect each jar for chips on the rim, which can impair sealing. Set jars upside down on a clean towel or keep warm in the oven.
  2. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for preparing lids. If instructions are not available, heat a pot of water to 180ºF and drop flat lids into the hot water; remove from heat. Do not let the water get hotter than this, as this can damage the sealing compound.
  3. Pack the food according to the recipe. With pressure canning a one-inch headspace is pretty standard.
  4. Slip a plastic knife or tool between the jar and the contents of the jar to displace any bubbles. As bubbles are dispersed, the level of liquid may drop; add more to maintain the appropriate headspace.
  5. Wipe the rims and threads of the filled jars with a damp cloth to remove residue that may impair sealing.
  6. Set a flat lid on the jar and screw on a ring. Tighten the band firmly, but not so that it’s forced on.

Processing jars in a pressure canner

  1. Set the rack on the bottom of the pressure canner and add 2”-3” of water. Begin warming over medium heat with the lid off.
  2. Use canning tongs to set filled jars into the canner. You may stack the jars. Set a second rack on top of the first layer and add more jars, begin sure to stagger their location. Avoid overcrowding the jars.
  3. Following manufacturer’s instructions, lock the lid in place securely.
  4. If you’re using an All American canner (as I do) remember to add a thin layer of olive oil to the beveled edge of the rim where the cover touches. You can also (optionally) add some to the threads of each wing nut to keep them lubricated and easy to turn.
  5. Turn heat to high. Do not leave the pressure canner unattended while it’s heating or during the entire cooking process.
  6. Allow steam to escape from the vent for ten minutes. Air trapped inside the canner can lower the internal temperature of the canner and cause under processing.
  7. Set weight on the vent or close the petcock. (This will depend on your model.)
  8. For dial gauge canners: When the dial reaches the desired pressure, adjust the heat to hold it at that pressure. Begin timing (according to recipe) when the correct pressure is reached.
  9. For weighted gauge canners: Watch for the weight to begin jiggling or rocking when 10-15 pounds of pressure is achieved. Adjust the heat so that the gauge continues a slow and steady rocking motion. Begin timing when the correct pressure is reached.
  10. SEE CHART BELOW FOR ADJUSTING PROCESSING TIME FOR ALTITUDE
  11. Maintain steady pressure. This is critical. If the pressure drops below the recommended level, begin timing all over again. To avoid having to restart the timing, do not leave the area where you’re processing and check the pressure often.
  12. Once processing time is complete, turn off the heat. Don’t move the canner unless you absolutely must, as in the case of cooking over a coal or wood heated stove.
  13. Allow the pressure in the canner to drop to zero. Do not try to hurry the process. Once the gauge reaches zero, wait an additional 5 minutes.
  14. Lean the weight gently or slightly open the petcock. If pressure is audible or steam visible, let the weight remain in place or close the petcock as the pressure is not yet down far enough.
  15. Remove the cover of the canner, tilting it away from you to avoid burns.
  16. Use a jar lifter to carefully remove jars from the canner to a cooling rack or towel covered surface where there are no drafts. 
  17. The jar’s contents may continue to boil once removed from the canner.
  18. Allow jars to sit undisturbed for several hours (ideally overnight) or until cool to touch. Remove the screw bands and check for a good seal. The lid should feel solid, be somewhat indented, and inflexible. Store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and use quickly.
  19. Wash jars in soapy water to remove residue, rinse, dry, and label. Store without the screw on bands in a cool, dry, dark place.

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chart showing altitude and pressure for canning

soup in jars, top, full jars in a pressure canner, bottom

Pressure Canner Instruction Manuals

When processing food in a pressure canner, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your pressure canner. If you purchase a used pressure canner and didn’t get an instruction manual, one of these might help. Older owner’s manuals can sometimes be ordered from these companies as well.

Presto Pressure Canner Instruction Manuals

You can order older manuals from the Presto Company at no charge, through their online store. You will need to know the model number of your canner.

All American Pressure Canner Instruction Manual

Mirro Pressure Canner Instruction Manual

Granite Ware Pressure Canner Instruction Manual

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About the author: Kris Bordessa is an award-winning National Geographic author and a certified Master Food Preserver. Read more about Kris and how she got started with this site here. If you want to send Kris a quick message, you can get in touch here.

13 comments… add one
  • Nicola Wright Oct 5, 2017 @ 23:56

    Chris,
    I really need help. I was told I could can my own salsa recipe as long as I pressure canned it. I didn’t need to add vinegar or lemon juice either. Is this true? Can I use a pressure canner and avoid the acid issue? If so, how long do I pressure can for?
    Thank you for your help.
    Nicola

    • Kris Bordessa Nov 14, 2017 @ 8:19

      Try contacting your cooperative extension office’s Master Canner program. The folks there will give you specific information!

  • florence Jun 28, 2017 @ 8:35

    Hi Cheis,

    Just received my Presto 23 quart pressure canner. I have never used a pressure canner or cooker let alone seen one. I am terrified. I am also a visual, hands-on person who believes in taking a class to learn a new skill.

    I live about half an hour north of toronto, Ontario. I have tried everything I know to find someone, anyone who can spend a few hours with me (kijiji, senior’s centre, flyers in community centre, community gardens, cooking schools, grocery stores that offer cooking classes, food banks, Foodland Ontario. etc.netc. ) I have tried about a 100 km. radius. I you you are in B.C. but any ideas.

    Thanks

    Florence

    • Kris Bordessa Jun 29, 2017 @ 16:46

      Do you have a university that might have a food preservation group to help? We have the cooperative extension in the USA.

    • Cathy Jun 20, 2018 @ 7:52

      Florence, I live in Missouri & am also a hands-on-learner as well as a quilter. At guild meetings we often share recipes & canning advice with each other. Maybe you could check with a few quilt guilds to find an experienced canner you could learn from. Good luck.

  • Jen Wright May 21, 2017 @ 7:25

    what is a local extension office?If I ask anyone in UK about pressure canning they look at me like I’ve got 2 heads!

    • Kris Bordessa May 21, 2017 @ 7:43

      It’s a resource affiliated with American Universities. Not sure if there’s anything similar in the UK.

  • Melissa Feb 26, 2017 @ 9:32

    Thanks for this information. This year will be my first to have a larger garden and to can.

  • kenneth trimmer Aug 23, 2016 @ 7:36

    why does the juice cooks out of the jars?

  • Jeanie Mar 31, 2016 @ 9:25

    Thanks, Chris! Good info! Just got a new All American 6 qt. and wanting to can some chicken broth and veggies from our garden.

  • Lady Mar 3, 2016 @ 17:33

    Nancy, you might try a hardware, plumbing or welding supply store. The dial gauges on pressure canners are just like those used in industry and suppliers might offer safety testing.

    If you live near the US border, you might find an American university extension service within reach. Unlike major universities, the extension service network has offices in small towns coast to coast. All extension service offices that I’ve visited offered free pressure canner testing to the public.

    However, Chris is right. If the weight is correct and rocker’s rockin’, things are working properly.

    Happy Canning,

    Lady Doghaven 🙂

  • Nancy Feb 29, 2016 @ 1:48

    How/where do you get the gauge checked in Canada?
    Thanks,

    • Chris Mar 2, 2016 @ 21:44

      Nancy, as far as I know there is no place in Canada that will test the dial gauges for accuracy. This is the main draw back for using the dial gauge canners in Canada.

      The weighted gauges do not have to checked for accuracy though, because if the canner is up to pressure the rocker will rock, if it isn’t up to pressure the rocker won’t rock. As long as the rocker has the correct number of weights for your recipe and the rocker is rocking, you are safe to process for the required time on your recipe.

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