Linda Lou-Where to buy 15lb Presto Weight Set?

16 years ago

Linda Lou, or anyone, could you please tell me where to buy the 15 pound three piece weight set to replace the counterweight -thereby converting my Presto dial gauge canner to a weighted gauge canner? It's really hard to get those gauges tested, especially in the winter.

I read the post copied below, and excitedly called Presto today and tried to order it. After giving my model 0178005, Liz in customer service said there was no such thing for dial gauge canners. They are dial gauge only bedause they don't want us to leave the room while canning(?!). She went on, asked where I got this idea, who were they and who did they talk to!!!!!! I explained politely as best as I could, knowing that my information was solid, and asked her to please check into it. She said she didn't have anywhere to check!

Without going into further details let's just say I was shocked, and felt accused of unsafe canning! Sorry for venting my frustrataion....but I'd really like to have the weight set......and "enlighten" this Liz :)

SOS

Copied from LL's post on Tuesday Jan. 22, 2008:

"Yes, Reg, I am an "extension person". I am trained and answer food safety/presrvation questions at my local extension office.

Marti, the counterweight should not rock at 11 lb. of pressure. I am thinking the gauge is bad. It should rock at 15 lb. What the dial gauge canners have is called a "counterweight". It is used to allow the pressure to build and to hold it in the canner. It is not the same as the regular weight set you can order from Presto. You can order the set, then use the 10 lb. or 15 lb., depending upon your altitude. You use it as a weighted gauge canner instead of using the dial. It is fine to convert it over. I checked with both Elizabeth Andress, the lady who wrote the USDA guides, from University of Georgia, plus contacted Presto twice, as well.

I just got my set recently and will use them, even though I can test my own gauges.

It is getting harder to do the testing due to liability. We have to have people sign waivers saying they will not hold us responsible. We are only able to still test because we have permission from the State Attorney General. Some states don't test any longer.

Marti, I am assuming by your post that you have the dial gague canner with both the dial and the counterweight. I know Presto makes a new weighted gauge one, that you buy at Walmart. It is either 16 or 18 quart sized, I don't remember which."

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Comments (10)

ksrogers
16 years ago
You might want to look here..

Here is a link that might be useful: Pressure cooking/canning parts for all makers
ksrogers
16 years ago
The model 178005 is identified as a 22 quart unit at this site. It think is called a 'steam guage'. I know nothing more about pressure canners, but found this info while doing a simple web search.

Here is a link that might be useful: All brands.
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Wow, $400 ! How does that compare to US dollars ? I paid $69 for a brand new Presto this summer. I found a good used one at a thrift store for only $7. I had to buy a few new parts, but it didn't cost very much for those. If you get a Presto, a piece of advice. Order the three piece weight set, too. Otherwise I don't know where or how you will get the dial gauge tested. If you use the weights you won't have to be concerned about it. Brand new out of the box, there are many gauges that we test that are off as much as 4 lb. That means they are bad and unsafe to use.
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As long as it will hold and process a minimum of 4 quarts at a time it is considered safe by NCHFP standards. All the tested and approved recipes and the processing times stipulated in them are based on that minimum capacity of air/steam/temp achieved. Any less capacity all the computations go out the window. ;) With newer canners that means using the 16 quart model but if yours holds 5 quarts it should be ok. And yes, the reputable companies will still back the smaller units but for cooking only, not canning. Some off-brands claim they can be used for canning too but that is only because they don't subscribe to the USDA guidelines. Dave
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Thank you to everyone who helped with advice. I wrote to Presto and they wrote back in one business day. I'm impressed with that. The lady told me that I CAN use the counterweight when canning at 15 PSI and then use the gauge just as a reference (the same All-American). Additionally, I can purchase Presto Regulator #50332, which is a 3-piece pressure regulator with 5-10-15 PSI, and use that instead if I want to can at 10 PSI. She says it WILL work. She also recommended purchasing owner's manual #72720 as it is the one for a weighted gauge pressure canner. She says the cost of the owner's manual through Presto is $5.00. The 3-weight pressure regulator is about $11.00 or $12.00, depending on where you buy it. So, effectively, what we've got here is a much less expensive version of an All-American canner - a weighted-gauge canner with a dial for reference! I don't want to depend on a dial gauge. I live in an area where people act like they've never heard of testing a dial gauge. I called three county extensions within a 30-mile radius of my home, and none of them test gauges. I can send the gauge to Presto, but, again, I don't like that idea as they said it can take weeks, and anyway, I prefer listening to the sound of the canning going on when I can something that takes more than an hour. Anyway, Presto Model 01755 16-Quart can be used as a weighted gauge canner if you want, or if testing gauges just doesn't work for you.
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Linda_Lou
16 years ago
I copied and pasted this from another gal who wrote a review on Amazon.com. She says exactly what Presto told me, too !
...................
Even though there is a dial gauge, you actually CAN use this canner as a weighted gauge canner! I contacted Presto about this, and the weight that comes with this canner is the same weight that is on their smaller pressure cookers, the 4- and 6-quart models, which cook at 15 PSI. Therefore, when the weight begins to gently rock, it is pressure canning at 15 PSI. However, people who live below 1,000 feet of elevation need to pressure can at 10 PSI, so you either need to make sure your gauge is accurate, or you can purchase a 3-piece pressure regulator from Presto (model #50332). The lady at Presto confirmed that by using this particular pressure regulator, it will then effectively be a weighted gauge canner with the dial there just for reference.

Now that I have a way to pressure can using just a weighted gauge and not depending on accuracy of a dial, I love this canner. I do not have a way to have my gauge checked other than by sending it to Presto, and that takes weeks to have it checked. Also, I don't know how accurate the gauge would be after being in the mail getting jostled around.
..............................
I wish I could find the other link I used for the part, it specifically said for CANNERS, and not just cookers.
Plus, Presto makes a new canner, sold at Walmart, that is only a weighted gauge canner.

There is also a link to one of the extension sites that says that on Presto, the weight should rock gently the whole time, not so many times a minute.

Here is a link that might be useful: Three piece weight set.
ksrogers
16 years ago
Thanks Linda Lou, as you can see, you even have much more info that I do. At least the poster has been able to get as much as possible from us now. Yes, I do agree that any kind of dial gauge can become inaccurate even within minutes of a single use. Because these get exposed to steam, moisture, and possibly any other kinds of stuff that might possibly leak out of a jar, the gauges could go bad very quickly, because you don't know what has built up inside of them. The only issue I see with weights is to ensure that the opening isn't blocked by anything and the weights move freely when its running correctly. The dials are for an approximate reference only, to allow the user to see what an APPROXIMATE pressure is, before the weights start to do their work.
readinglady
16 years ago
As Linda Lou indicated, Dr. Andress at the NCHFP recognizes the safety and usefulness of the three-piece weight on Presto canners. I can't imagine any better authority.

I looked all over the Presto site and can no longer find it listed, so my guess is, for whatever reason, the company has decided not to continue production. But it is available online from numerous reputable companies. Get it while you can.

Carol

Here is a link that might be useful: Goodman's Presto 50332 Regulator
sosusie
Original Author
16 years ago
Linda Lou, do you happen to remember who you talked to at Presto? Don't get me wrong- I totally trust the information here, You have never given unsafe advice :)

Carol you are most likely right in assuming Presto has discontinued it. Judging from Liz's attitude they think it's a bad idea......just think of all the people that will leave the kitchen while canning LOL
Seriously I can't think of it as a risk. You could refer to the steam/dial gauge(assuming it has been recently tested and is accurate) for reassurance.

Thanks so much everyone for the links! I will order one online.... it looks much like one I already have from a smaller canner.....maybe do a trial run with it first!

SOS
Linda_Lou
16 years ago
I am sorry, I don't know their name. However, this was some lady who even told me the part number !! Exactly the one on the sites, and number Carol also listed.
It is the same set I bought at BiMart here for $10.
Here is the link to Presto for the part, too. It is on their site under the 16 lb. canner. I shows the picture of it, as well. It is not discontinued, as this is on their brand new weighted gauge canner, sold at WalMart.

Here is a link that might be useful: Presto 3 piece weight set.
Linda_Lou
16 years ago
I was going to add, if your set is like the one online, then I would think it is the same thing. As long as it fits on the stem of your canner, it should be the same thing. Hope it is so you don't need to buy another set.
Also, when I put my weights on, for 10 lb. pressure, my dial that I tested at the extension office registers at just above 10 lb. almost directly on the 11 lb. mark. I do know it works as I tested the gauge first.

I think it is just who you spoke with at Presto. Some know their stuff, some don't. Just my 2 cents worth. I would call and see if you get someone else on the line and see what they tell you.
sosusie
Original Author
16 years ago
Linda Lou,
Good to know it is not discontinued! Our local hardware store carries a wide range of canners and parts, maybe they have it. I should take my weight in and compare; it looks identical to the one in the links. Had hoped there might be a part number on it, but there isn't.

You wrote: "Also, when I put my weights on, for 10 lb. pressure, my dial that I tested at the extension office registers at just above 10 lb. almost directly on the 11 lb. mark. I do know it works as I tested the gauge first"

So it works perfectly, as recipes calling for 10 pounds pressure weighted gauge, call for 11 pounds steam/dial gauge!
I can hardly wait to use it. Never again will that big beautiful canner sit on the shelf because I neglected to get it tested :) Thanks!

SOS
readinglady
16 years ago
Isn't that odd? I searched under "pressure regulator" and under the part number and the Presto site said "not found." Then I tried searching under various canners but didn't go as far as the 16-quart. When I bought mine it was for the 21-quart.

Anyway, I'm glad it's still offered and that Linda Lou posted a link.

Carol

Linda Lou-Where to buy 15lb Presto Weight Set?

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