Hello. I'm ready to start trying my hand at canning. I started looking for one but would like to know what you all recommend. I would like to use it for canning and cooking. I have seen a Presto brand marked as such. Other brands just say "cooker". Is there a difference? What is your favorite brand?

Also, what is the best brand to buy in a dehydrator? Are there any features I should specifically look for?

Thanks for your help!

Paula

-- Paula Bailey (bal@qserve.net), November 21, 1999

Answers

Since we are outside of the garden canning season, I would recommend that you look for a used unit. Make sure that it has a guage on it. The only proper and safe way to can is with using one, though a lot of folks get without. In the bigger sizes, the "All-American" canner with it metal to metal seal vs. gasket is a favorite of many. Not cheap though.

For food dehydrators, The Exclibur is considered Cadillac by many. I perfer a unit that I can set the temperature on. Another nice feature would be a unit that turns down the temperature after a set amount of time. I, myself, also perfer the square trays. Dishwasher safe trays is another feature that you may want. Washing the screens can be the pitts.

Good luck.

-- greenbeanman (greenbeanman@ourtownusa.net), November 21, 1999.

I have a old Mirror Matic pressure canner with a weighted guage that I bought 20 years ago. Beside replacing the rubber gasket every few years, it has performed well and never caused me one bit of problem. No complaints with it whatsoever.

-- Marci (ajourend@libby.org), November 21, 1999.

I recommend the All American Pressure Cooker Model 921. Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Inc. 838 South 16th Street Manitowoc, WI, I don't have their telephone number. It won't do any good anyhow, because they don't take plastic. (!!) I sent a check for 124 American, and they sent the pressure canner.

I later saw the same at our local hardware store.

Now. This is aluminum, and if you were to use it for cooking, I would put the food in a canning jar (open) to cook, so that you don't come in contact with the aluminum.

But for canning, they are terrific. Model 121 holds 7 quart jars.

Model 125 is bigger, and takes 7 quart jars and 7 pints, all at the same time. But I don't think they currently sell that one.

This product has both a gauge and a "jiggler" gauge, an extra emergency vent, and six screw type clamps that hold the lid on. There is no rubber seal.

I have one that is over 20 years old, and a new one this year. I replaced the gauge with the new version.

I would NOT buy a used canner. The reason is that you do not know if the canner has been dropped. Dropping the canner can cause internal fractures in the metal. This company asks that if you drop your canner, to send it to them for x-ray.

I have no other interest in this company. Just a great canner!

-- Mary (blufrogg@garlic.com), November 21, 1999.

We have used both types of pressure canner, that is ones with the metal to metal seal and ones with a rubber gasket, (much cheaper) with no apparent difference, but we agree that a pressure gauge is important to track your progress.

As for dehydrators, we have 3, a couple of round ones of garage sale variety & a Excailbur square version, we really like the excalibur but it is not big enough and so I plan to build one using 3X3' shelves and stainless steel screening, convection heat & a low CFM fan.

-- Bob Henderson (redgate@echoweb.net), November 22, 1999.

My friends and I really like my American Harvester dehydrator. It has a temperature setting and you can use up to twelve racks.

-- cindy (cindyathomeonthefarm@hotmail.com), November 22, 1999.

Tjhe difference between a pressure cooker and a pressure canner, in practical terms, is size. A cooker can be smaller, too small to can in, but should be stainless steel if you are going to cook food directly in it. A presssure canner can be used to cook in, takes longer to heat up, and food should be in glass or stainless steel containers in it as most of them are aluminum. We like the All_American with metal-to-metal seal, as we have found that the rubber gaskets for some older pressure canners are no longer available (and yes we have tried many sources, including the manufacturer). Obsolescence and potential lack of replacement parts for gaskets which are going to need replacement for sure is what sold us on the All-American. Gauges are more generic, and other replacemnt parts such as the pressure relief plugs have an indefinite shelf life (rubber gaskets have a limited shelf life, I have found.) I see no problem with buying a used canner, as long as you know what you are looking for . We bought a couple of ours used, and one new, and have used them for decades with no problems.

Jim

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), November 22, 1999.

For dehydrators, I have two Ronco 15 tray models with 2 setting, fan, and heat only. I haven't tried many others (American Harvester is also ok) but I found out the hard way that a heat only model triples drying time, at the least. Look for a model that keeps the blower covered enough to keep food from falling in it. Dishwasher safe trays are also a major bonus. Even without a dishwasher, they seem easier to clean and harder to damage.

-- Connie Christoffer (conniechristoffer@yahoo.com), February 14, 2000.