Aack, the search on this site stinks! I googled "3 weights set Presto canner" and found another thread on this forum, which told me what I needed to know.

Has anyone used it on the 23-q model? I am assuming it fits the steam vent, and is simply swapped out for the one-piece 15lb. regulator?

Here is a link that might be useful: Presto Pressure Canner Pressure Regulator

If you are not sure the pressure gauge is calibrated correctly you may switch to the three piece weight instead of the 15 lb that came with your canner. My True Value can order parts for any canner. Remember to take all the numbers with you when you order. It only takes a few days for the order to come in. Most of the canning I do is at 10 lbs pressure.

You can use that three-piece weight on any Presto canner.

Carol

Thank you so much! It's good to know that the weights will fit my canner, and even better to know I won't be relying on a possibly-inaccurate gauge. I'm not into the whole "kill them with kindness" thing. ;-)

Hi Robin,

I was thinking the same as you and found a set of weights at goodmans.net. The price and shipping was reasonable and I should be getting them any day now.

I'm anxious to try them out before my tomatoes start coming in.

Elaine

My local hardware store had the set of weights, so I'm just waiting for the batch of chicken stock simmering on my stove to be finished so I can try it out. Yay me!!! :-)

It works on the 23 quart one I have. One site I have for ordering the set tells which models it fits.
I doesn't fit all models of Presto. I have an old model 7 that it will not fit the vent pipe. Can't put the vent pipe on that fits the weight set as it is not the same size threads as the canner. The canner has too large of a hole.
I like the three piece set really well, even though I test gauges here at the extension office.

But would it work on the Presto with the dial gauge? Isn't that one meant for the gaugeless Presto?

Greenhouser,

My new 23qt Presto pressure canner (Model 0178107) came with a dial gauge and a one-piece 15lb. pressure regulator. Unfortunately, my County Extension office doesn't do gauge testing, and the local hardware store that did is out of business. Short of driving quite some distance, I was SOL. Therefore, I bought the 3-piece weighted pressure regulator set, which I will use at the 10-pound weight setting appropriate for my altitude, in lieu of the 15lb. regulator that came with my canner. The new weighted regulator DOES fit my canner, so no problems there.

The dial gauge is now redundant.

After sales tax, the new regulator set me back $18 at my local hardware store, about what it would have cost to order online after shipping. Definitely a small price to pay for canning safety.

I also have the 3 piece regulator for the Presto but didn't know if it would work on the 23qt new Presto I just ordered. I'm leery of those gauges and there's nowhere near us to have it checked or calibrated. So when you use it you just ignore the gauge and depend on the weight alone?

Thank you so much for that information. :) I just don't feel comfortable depending on a gauge that may not be accurate.

A desperate question.
Can you use the "old timey" round weight with the pressure cooker? You know the kind that has 3 different holes, each representing a different weight. It sits on top OK, I'm just nervous. I'm sitting here with a bushel of corn to work and panicking at this point.

cfree001

Which pressure cooker are you talking about? "Cooker?" I think you need a cannner if you plan to can your corn.

I beleive the weight must match your pressure canner. I have a Mirro with the round weight you speak of, which I can't use it on my Presto. My Presto has the 10 and 15 lb removable weights that are placed under the 5 lb, with the knob.

Sorry, in my haste I forgot to add the "canner".

And it makes sense that the weight must match the canner, so I reckon I'll be off to the hardware store tomorrow.

Thank y'all!

My new Presto came with just the single 15 pound round weight. I got the 3 set that 'stack' to give the 3 pressures. These just sit over a small round tube that is on the top of the lid, next to the lock/safety valve and the gauge. The weights DO need to be the right size and type, as it also has to do with the diameter of the pressure tube and its length, to be accurate.

Does the 3 piece weight just sit on the vent port? We put Presto 23qt together this past weekend, but we were unsure about the regulator. I read the booklet, but I still didn't quite understand how the regulator worked.

I thought it would attach to the canner, but it only can be placed on the port, is that right?

Also, I used my canner as a HWB, and I thought I was supposed to be able to stack pints. But, I don't think we could have gotten to rows of pints in there with the level of water needed. It would have been right at the top of the canner. Would that have been the case?

Yes, the three piece weight will sit on the vent pipe. Use in place of the counterweight that came with your canner.
It needs to rattle the whole time. Gets noisy, but I sure like using it. No dial to watch !! No one else will probably tell you about using the three piece weights . You get part number 50332, I believe is the set number. Leave the dial on, but just use the weight instead on the vent pipe.
You can stack pints if you use it as a pressure canner. I can stack half pints to use as a BWB, but not pints that way, only pressure canned.

Thanks for clearing that up. I got the weight set, but I got confused when I thought it was supposed to like screw on. Glad to know that it is just supposed to sit on there.

Bummed about the stacking pints in a HWB. I should have checked that before we got started on the canning Katie's Peach Salsa. I ended up with 1 jar ready to process since I thought we could stack them, so I stuck it in the fridge.

I think this thread has helped me make my final decisions on what brand of canner to buy. Guess I just need a couple more questions answered and then I'll feel confident in getting started.

After much reading and asking, I've decided on the 16 or 23 qt Presto canner. They both come with the 15# pressure weight. My altitude is 1035 so do I understand correctly that I would not have to buy the 3 pc regulator?

I've read the manuals for both models and am not real sure how to use the pressure regulator versus the gauge, or if they work in conjunction. We have no gauge check in our area so I'm hoping it is something that will come clear to me as I continue to read all the related messages here.

Next question I have is regarding the larger versus the smaller canner. I have two considerations - one is the size of the burner on my smooth top stove (about 8" dia). The Presto says it's ok to use on the smooth top, but wondering if the 23 qt might be too wide.

Also the 23qt holds 20 pints and most of my recipes are for 9 to 10 pints. I could double the recipes, but right now I'm having trouble finding jars and the ones I have will be used for several different recipes for meals for my trucker hubby. But by harvest time I would probably be disappointed if I don't have larger capacity... (I can't wait for HARVEST!)

Any thoughts would be appreciated; this site is great.

Sue

They both come with the 15# pressure weight. My altitude is 1035 so do I understand correctly that I would not have to buy the 3 pc regulator?

No, you still need the weight set. Even at 1000+ feet there are things that are PC'd at less than 15 lb. and using your gauge for those is not considered as safe as using a weight unless you have your gauge tested annually and even then it isn't all that accurate.

The weights and the gauge don't "work in conjunction". The weights do the work, the gauge is just a back up check that may or may not be accurate. So buy the weight set and ignore the gauge. ;)

If you are going to be doing mostly pints then the 16 qt. would be sufficient and likely much less of a problem for your smooth top stove - less weight, less heat required to bring up to pressure, and less heat trap.

Dave

PS: just semantics but the 15# that comes with it is called a counter-weight and is there primarily for over-pressure safety purposes rather than actual weighing purposes (tho it is accurate for 15-16 lbs). The manufacturers assumption is that you will use the gauge. Home canners know that you shouldn't. ;)

Thanks Dave! Both for the insight and the quick response. Now that I have these questions pretty much answered, I'm eager to order. The clarification on the counter-weight helped me to understand a little more of what the manual says.

And I had another thought about the 23qt - weight and bulk. I'm only 4'10 1/2" (I have to mention the 1/2 as I'm trying to hold on to whatever height I have left!) - not a lot of heft in my shoulders so all things considered the 16 qt is probably my safest bet. Again thanks - I'll be in touch next weekend when I can pull it all together and see what happens!
Sue

Can anyone tell me what forum/thread to read up on the use of hard water in canning recipes? I seem to have seen it somewhere here and now can't find it. Thanks, Sue

I think I read something in the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving about making your own soft water but I think the really important part there is when making pickles. As to using hard water in the canner, I've read that adding some white vinegar can reduce the mineral build up on the inside of the canner from using hard water. I've also read somewhere about how to clean up the mineral build up inside the canner but now I can't remember where I read it, probably in the manual for the canner.

You'll find the discussions on hard water problems in the Causes and Solutions for Problems sections at NCHFP linked below. Hard water is primarily a problem with pickling where is causes cloudy water and discoloration problems. It isn't a risky thing per se, just an undesirable appearance issue but it can be avoided by using bottled water if your's is especially hard or you can boil the water first for 15 mins. then let it stand covered for 24 hours and skim off the residue. That will remove much of the hard minerals in the water.

Adding a good 'glug' of vinegar to the canner/PC water eliminates the build-up on the canner and the jars and you can use either Lime Away or CLR to remove any build-up deposits in the canners. Vinegar works too.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: NCHFP - Problems

I just checked and that is where I saw the reference to the minerals in the water contributing to discoloration, cloudiness or white sediment. And you're right again - on Pg 44 of my Ball Book I found the solution. Thanks so much! Sue

Dave,
Missed your post before I sent the last. Checked out the link. I'm c&p the answers I'm getting from the forum into a handy resource (I can't seem to find my way around between the threads yet:). We have very hard water so thanks, too, for the info on keeping the canner and jars cleaner. Sue

I have been looking at the Presto Canners and I can't figure out why Amazon charges more for the 16qt ($82.99) than the 23qt (71.99). I am 68 years old and while I am in good health, I am worried about the weight of the 23qt. The weight is what is holding me back. I need a pressure canner, I just cannot decide which one.

Donna

Current amazon prices are $125.91 for the 23 qt. and $98.64 for the 16 qt. Price has really jumped since Christmas but they both go on sale now and then.

Walmart has the 16 qt. for $62.75 (currently out of stock online but available in stores) while Target's price is $125.99 for the 16 qt. - way out of line.

Pressure Cooker Outlet's online price is $72.95, Canning Pantry's is $72.95, and Kitchen Collection's is $84.99. All for the 16 quart.

Wide price range so shop very carefully.

Dave

Dang, big price jump, just last week the price had actually dropped from the pre christmas price. They were like $72 on amazon just before I got my used one (but there was a wait for them to be shipped.)

I have already used mine as a BWB canner to make some preserves. Truth is I could have used any really large pot in such a way if I contrived some sort of canning rack but the presto 22 qt I got worked well enough.

Now my weights have come in so I could do some pressure canning next time the situation is appropriate.

The 16 qt Presto that I ordered online today from More Kitchen Appliances was $83.99 - available to ship immediately and offered free shipping. None of the 4 Walmart's within 50 miles of our home has a 16 qt - the Ace and True Values around here all wanted $89.00+ and tax on top of that. I'm sure I'll find a coupon or something for 20 bucks off...after it arrives :)

I have health considerations and after considering the weight of a full 23 qt it wasn't hard for me to decide which one would be safer for me to handle. I'd rather do more batches than not be able to lift it off the stove! Sue

Price at Amazon $71.99 at the link below, as of just a few minutes ago..

Here is a link that might be useful: 23 Quart Presto

Ken your link is to Ronnigers Potato Farm ;).

Link below - price ranges from $71.99 to 139.99 for the 23 qt. if you click on the "Used" link (but they are listed as new).

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon - 23 qt.

Sorry, that link was wrong. I'll get it again here. I was at Ronningers for a person who was looking for Yukon Gold seed potatoes in bulk 50 pound bags.

I do know that the price for the Presto I saw was correct, so I'll get it again. The prices vary on that Amazon web page, but the first listing has it for $71.99 and free shipping.

Here is a link that might be useful: Presto 23 quart at Amazon