We have a Presto that is rated for a glass top stove. Works great. I think we got it on Amazon for somewhere around $60 several years ago.

" It seems a canned, not a pressure cooker is ideal"

Canning green beans requires a pressure cooker. Only pickled beans (aka Dilly Beans) can be processed in a boiling water bath. Canning any low acid foods - which is most all vegetables - requires pressure canning. Only highly acidic fruits and such may be canned using a boiling water bath.

So if you already have the beans unless you can buy your pressure canner today and quickly get a handle on how to use it correctly (there is a learning curve) you will probably want to freeze them instead this time. They go soft and rubbery very quickly.

Agree with dirtguy - Presto brand 16 qt. pressure canner is the only model fully approved for use on glass top stoves. All other models are use at your own risk to your stove.

EX: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Presto-16-Quart-Aluminum-Pressure-Canner/5913467

Dave

Thank you both for the recommendation. I see I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this idea. I've driven around town looking for pressure canners and just finding one has become challenging. I really want to can these so I haven't thrown in the towel just yet. Right now the beans are still crispy so I have one thing going for me...

Better to buy a stand alone propane stove, a BWB pot and a pressure canner to do the stuff outside of your kitchen. Glass top stoves cost about $700 if they crack, that is what it is for an $800 stove top - more if they are part of a standard cooking "range". If you want green beans pressure canned then spend the $ to do it elsewhere. If your beans are on your counter waiting for you, then freeze them and be more prepared for canning later.

Interesting, my post didn't show up. We have been using the Presto 16 qt canner for about 4 years on our Whirlpool glasstop with no issues. nancy must live in a much better neighborhood that us hillbillies in Missouri if the costs are that high. lol

PS: I would definitely blanch and freeze them now! Try pressure canning the next batch but not this one.

I'm so proud of myself I just want to report back that I did it! Granted I was up past midnight and they are probably the most expensive 4 quarts of string beans on the planet. I learned a lot and next time it will be easier and quicker!

What did you end up doing? Did you find a pressure canner?

Yes, I found a Presto 16 quart aluminum one with a gauge at BBB. I paid much higher price for it than the WalMart link but they were the only local shop who had it in stock. And wouldn't you know I couldn't find one of their 20% off coupons!

Good for you rhonda. Just make sure you follow approved recipes and techniques. No shortcuts or substitutions unless you absolutely know it is acceptable. It is such a good feeling to know you can safely preserve your own fresh produce that has no additives and preservative. Health is exciting.

digdirt2 (Dave) is an outstanding resource if you need some help.

Ahhh, now that you have such an investment in the PC its time to hit the farmer's market or expand the garden. ;-)

Since the model you bought came with a gauge then you will either need to get it checked annually for accuracy or spend another $12 to buy the 3 piece weight set so it can be used as a weighted canner and the gauge can be ignored.

Dave

Thank y'all for the encouragement. I"m feeling much more confident now. My daughter was visiting and helped with cleaning the beans. As they were processing, I turned to her and said, "This isn't too hard after-all". In return I got "the look". She's not converted yet but one day she'll appreciate it. It was the void from not having my grandmother's that motivated me.

I will definitely research the food safe processing methods before canning. I want to do this right!

Oh, and Dave, the weight sounds more appealing than getting the gauge checked annually. I need to look into where to purchase one. Thank you for the advice!

amazon has them. Ace hardware can order them for you if you have one. Presto makes it quite complicated to deal with the whole process so we generally do not recommend ordering it from them. The part number if you need it is 50332

https://smile.amazon.com/Presto-Pressure-Canner-Regulator/dp/B000HMBVQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467304758&sr=8-1&keywords=Presto+3+piece+weight+set

Also be sure to review the How to use a PC guidelines at NCHFP as they often differ from the instruction manual.

http://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/uga/using_press_canners.html