bought a Presto pressure canner, used,, had to buy some replacement parts, but,, still a good deal. My question,,, the pressure regulator,, little thingy that "sets" on the valve stem,, doesnt stay on, when the pressure starts to build. As far as I can tell, it just sits there,, is this correct or is it supposed to,"attach" somehow???

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), March 01, 2001

Answers

It should be loose. When the head of steam builds up it will bounce around and spritz and rattle. The temp of the heat source is then adjusted so it rattles every few seconds rather than constantly. The top of the weight should be imprinted with the pressure it maintains in the cooker.

-- Willy Allen (willyallen2@yahoo.com), March 01, 2001.

this canner has a guage,, but this regulator is some type of relief or something,, but it wont stay on

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), March 01, 2001.

Canners that have gauges must be tested each year, as they are not accurate forever, if I remember right, in OK the county extention offices do this.If the weight/rocker is blowing off and the gauge doesn't move it is damaged. I got a new owners manual from the company just by asking {snail mail}. The weight should set on top and rock freely, for mine it's about 3 to 4 rattles per min. slower is too cool faster, is too hot. Blowing off.... WAY TO HOT!

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), March 01, 2001.

its a brand new gauge,, I didnt want to take a chance,,, and there is nothing thats weighted on this

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), March 01, 2001.

I remember seeing an ajustable weight on tv, disk where added or removed to get the 5, 10 or 15 lb. changes, it was awhile back though.

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), March 01, 2001.

ok,, so Im dumb. Called Presto,,,,, I didnt even have a regulator,, was using a piece for another model,,,,,,

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), March 01, 2001.

Stan, I've learned nothing is DUMB when you are trying to be more self-reliant! Get your county agent's office to check it out also, they usually do it for free! and they have scads of info that could help you with canning! I got a great canning book there for I think about $6! I've been pressure canning for 2 years and water bath canning (jellies and such) for three years so I'm still LEARNING TOO!!!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), March 01, 2001.

Could be the gauge was not the one that originally came with the cooker? Have known that to happen at auctions and sales .

-- Lynn(MO) (mscratch1@semo.net), March 01, 2001.