PRESTO Digital Pressure Canner User Guide

June 7, 2024
Presto

PRESTO Digital Pressure Canner

PRESTO Digital Pressure Canner

PRESTO Digital Pressure Canner

Facts

Get the facts about electric pressure canning

The Presto Precise® digital canner is uniquely designed for pressure canning and has been programmed to take the guesswork out of canning. This electric canner has the following features that make it different from both stovetop pressure canners and electric pressure cookers/ multi-cookers.

Temperature Sensor. This Presto Precise® digital pressure canner senses temperature rather than pressure, so it is not necessary to adjust for elevation. The temperature sensor ensures that the pressure canning phase begins only when the internal temperature reaches 240°F, at which point the digital canner will automatically and consistently maintain that temperature for the processing time that has been selected by the user.

Jar Warming. The digital canner has a programmed jar warming function that will heat the jars to the appropriate temperature and then signal the user that the jars are ready for filling. If the user is not ready to fill jars, the canner will maintain that temperature until the user is ready to proceed.

Digital Display. The display communicates with the user by illuminating the current canning phase and instructing when interaction is required to move to the next phase.

Error Codes. The digital canner will alert the user if there is a problem with the canner itself or if the user made a mistake during the canning process.

Automatic Venting. The digital pressure canner will automatically vent to remove air, so that a pure (or saturated) steam environment is present in the canner.

Q/A

  1. Is Presto Precise® the same company as Presto®?
    Yes. Like Presto®, Presto Precise® is also a brand of National Presto Industries, Inc. The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner equips both the novice and experienced canner with innovative technology and the assurance of quality and safety from a trusted leader in home canning.

  2. Does the digital pressure canner operate the same way as my stovetop canner?
    Yes, the same, but different. The canner is pressurized in the same way as your stovetop canner, but instead of a pressure regulator or dial gauge to indicate pressure, the digital canner is regulated by a temperature sensor. The digital canner’s temperature sensor detects the exact temperature needed for canning. It then holds that precise temperature automatically for the time that has been selected by the user, so there’s no need to watch or adjust settings. No adjustments are needed when pressure canning at high altitudes.

  3. How do I know how much pressure to use?
    It is not necessary to know how much pressure to use. The canner automatically adjusts the pressure so the temperature for processing is always 240°F whether you live at 1,000 or 7,000 feet.

  4. Can the digital canner also be used as a boiling water canner?
    Yes. It features a digital interface that allows the user to select either Pressure Can or Boiling Water Can. The process for each method is automated. The user simply selects the method and time as stated in the desired recipe. The digital canner detects the boiling point automatically and accurately maintains that temperature for the processing time. Unlike the pressure canning method, the boiling water method will require altitude adjustment for the processing time as indicated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publication, “Complete Guide to Home Canning.”

  5. Is the canner convenient to use?
    We believe that this canner is a product advancement that addresses many of the concerns with traditional stovetop canning. (1) The canner can be used anywhere there is an outlet: your kitchen counter, table, or island. Once the canner is plugged in, you won’t need to move it. Water and jars are added to and  removed from a removable pot that fits inside the canner base. (2) Monitoring a dial gauge or rocking regulator is no longer necessary; the canner automatically senses and maintains the required temperature. (3) Adjusting for higher elevation is not required when pressure canning because the canner automatically adjusts for altitude by maintaining a consistent temperature of 240°F. (4) Venting is automatic, so there is no need to determine when to begin and end the venting period.
    PRESTO Digital Pressure Canner

  6. Why does the canner automatically warm jars?
    Jars need to be kept hot to avoid breakage when they are filled with hot food and then placed in the canner. Once the jars are warmedto the proper temperature,  the canner maintains a consistent water temperature in the canner as the jars of food are being filled.
    warm jars

  7. How does the canner guide me step by step?
    The digital canner’s interface includes a control knob, advance/stop buttons, and an LED display that communicates with the user. First, select the desired canning method and processing time using the control knob and advance button. From there on, the LED digital display will illuminate what the canner is doing and what phase the canner is in: warming, heating, venting (specific to pressure canning), canning, cool down, and done. The display will also communicate what action is required of the user: insert jars, fill jars, and put regulator on (specific to conclusion of venting phase during pressure canning).
    LED display

  8. Is the canner programmed to do everything?
    Most everything. The digital display or the manual/ quickstart guide will direct the user through various physical steps such as adding water and jars, setting the timer, positioning the regulator, and locking the cover and temperature sensor. Once these functions are performed, you are instructed to press the advance button to continue the program.

  9. Can I use my favorite tested canning recipes for stovetop canners in the electric canner?
    Yes, the Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner uses standard, research- tested processing guidelines for both pressure canning and boiling water canning from the USDA publication, “Complete Guide to Home Canning.” These are the same recipes used with stovetop Presto® pressure canners.

  10. Does the canner include recipes?
    Yes, the canner includes complete instructions, a quickstart guide, and recipes or procedures for tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish and seafood, as well as fruits, salsa, pickles, jam, and jelly.

  11. What foods can be processed in the digital canner?
    Any food for which a tested canning recipe/procedure exists can be processed in the digital canner.

  12. How many jars does the the digital canner hold?****

Maximum Mason Jar Capacity


 |

PRESSURE CANNING

|

BOILING WATER CANNING

JAR TYPE

| Regular| Wide mouth| Regular mouth|

Wide mouth

mouth

Half-pints

|

10

| 14*| 10| 7

Pints

| 8| 7| 8|

7

Quarts| 5| 4| n/a|

n/a

  • It will be necessary to double-deck half-pint jars to achieve maximum jar capacity.
    Only pints and half-pints can be processed using the boiling water method. The Presto Precise® Digital Canner is not tall enough to accommodate quart jars covered with the recommended 1-inch layer of water. canning equipment. However, the canner as been subjected to extensive testing and was designed to match the internal canner and jar temperatures that are achieved in a stovetop pressure canner.

    1. I know that I can’t use an electric pressure cooker for canning. How is this different?
      The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner has been designed specifically for canning. (1) The canner is programmed to sense and strictly maintain the required temperature for canning rather than relying only on pressure. (2) The canner automatically vents air from the canner before the temperature begins to increase. This important step ensures that the temperature inside the canner is uniformly consistent. (3) The canner has a built-in jar warming function that will keep jars warm until you are ready to fill them. (4) In the unlikely event that the canner temperature falls below 240°F, the canner will display an error code to inform the user. The troubleshooting section in the instruction book directs the user to the cause and remedy.

    2. Does the electric canner have parts that will need to be replaced?
      Like a stove-top canner, the digital canner has a sealing ring and air vent/cover lock gasket that will need routine replacement.

    3. Do I need to have the digital pressure canner calibrated or checked on a regular basis?
      The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner is programed electronically and will never require calibration or checking.

Support

For more information and recipes, visit GoPresto.com

National Presto Industries, Inc.
3925 North Hastings Way
Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703

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FAQ’S

Can I use this Presto Precise® digital pressure canner for other types of canning?

Yes, the Presto Precise® digital pressure canner can be used for other types of canning. The Presto Precise® digital pressure canner is approved for use with low-acid foods only. This means that it is not approved for use with high-acid foods such as tomatoes, pickles, or sauerkraut. However, it may be used for other low-acid foods such as meats, fish, poultry, and vegetables.

Is the Presto Precise® digital pressure canner safe to use on my glass top stove?

The Presto Precise® digital pressure canner has been tested and is safe to use on glass top stoves. The Presto Precise® digital pressure canner must be placed on a flat surface that will support the weight of the canner and the jars filled with food. The user should ensure that the bottom of the unit does not come in contact with any element of the stovetop.

Can I use this Presto Precise® digital pressure canner for dry beans?

No, dry beans require a different process than what is required for pressure canning. Dry beans should be soaked overnight in water before cooking them in a separate pot on your stovetop or in your microwave.

Can I use this Presto Precise® digital pressure canner for making jams or jellies?

No, jams and jellies are considered high-acid foods and require a different process than what is required for pressure canning. Jams and jellies should be processed in a boiling water bath using jars specifically designed for that purpose.

What is the difference between a pressure cooker and a pressure canner?

Pressure cookers or pressure saucepans are used to rapidly cook meats, vegetables and other foods for a family meal. But they may not maintain adequate pressure, and they heat and cool too quickly to use them to safely pressure can foods. Pressure canners have either dial or weighted gauges.

Is there a digital pressure canner?

The Presto Precise canner is the first digital pressure canner that meets USDA home canning guidelines for safely processing low-acid foods such as meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables, with no adjustments needed for high altitudes.

What are the disadvantages of pressure canner?

Disadvantages of pressure canner
May need some practice at the beginning.
pressure canner can be expensive.
You can’t check if your food is ready while cooking.
You can’t adjust the flavor during the cooking process.
You can’t look inside.

Are Digital pressure canners safe?

Water-bath canning is not recommended for low-acid foods, but electric pressure canners are safe and prevent spoilage and angerous bacteria from entering properly sealed jars.

Can I use this Presto Precise® digital pressure canner to make applesauce?

Yes, you may use this Presto Precise® digital pressure canner to make applesauce as long as you follow the recipe included with your unit and only process low-acid foods in it.

How much water do I put in my 23 quart Presto canner?

The 23 quart Presto directions call for “3 quarts of boiling water, canning rack, and jars in canner. To prevent water stains on jars, add 2 tablespoons white vinegar to water in canner. Always use the canning rack that came with the canner.

Can jars touch in pressure canner?

The canner must have a rack and a tight-fitting lid. The rack keeps jars from touching the bottom of the canner and allows for water to circulate under jars. If it has dividers, jars will not touch each other or bump against sides of the canner during processing.

What foods Cannot be canned?

Pasta, rice, or noodles should not be added to canned products. The starch interferes with heat transfer to the center of the jar. Instead can a product such as spaghetti sauce or chicken broth and add the pasta or noodles when you are ready to serve the food.

VIDEO

PRESTO Digital Pressure Canner
www://gopresto.com/

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

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Download This Manual (PDF format)

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