Many people love to store food for the long term with the help of the Canning Technique. However, the traditional method of Hot Water Bath Canning is only suitable for high-acidic foods such as fruits, jams, jellies, etc., due to which many low-acidic foods such as meat or vegetables need to be kept out of the list. To tackle this issue, Pressurized Canning was introduced, unveiling a whole new world of possibilities. Owing to this, Electric pressure canners have gained a lot of popularity among beginners and some canning enthusiasts, acting as a trusted compass that lead the user through the canning process with convenience and ease.
Pressure Canning is done with the help of Canning Pressure Cookers, which are specialized equipment used to carry out this process. To dig deep, there are both Stovetop and Electric Pressure Canners, used for different purposes. Electric pressure canners are recommended for beginners because of their compact and simple design and automated features like time and pressure adjustment.
On the other hand, Stovetop pressure canners are a little bit bulky and complicated to use because of all the manual work. However, stovetop pressure canners are ideal for large quantities, whereas electric canners are ideal for small batches. In this guide, we are going to talk about electric pressure canners, and I am sure that you will be able to choose the best option for you Jarcrafting.
In this procedure, High-pressure Steam is used to raise the temperature to a level that can kill the harmful bacteria, yeasts, and molds. In addition to this, pressure canning is the only secure way to can low-acidic foods like vegetables, meat, beans, corn, etc., which are prone to bacterial growth, such as Botulism(A rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum and sometime other related bacteria).
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Types Of Electric Pressure Canner
- Standard Electric Pressure Canner – These canners are made for small to medium batches and are compact. They offer simple controls and basic functions. Ideal for beginners and occasional users.
- Multi-functional Pressure Canner – This model not only allows you to pressure cook but also perform other cooking functions, because of which they are also termed “multi-cookers”. They can not only pressure cook but also steam, slow cook, and sometimes even bake in some models. All these features make this popular among folks who prefer a single appliance for several tasks.
- Digital Electric Pressure Canner (Automatic Pressure Canner) – This is the advanced version of the above mentioned canners. In this model, you will get a digital display, pre-programmed settings, and many other automated features, making the process of canning much easier.
- Manual Pressure Canner – These models offer more flexibility to the user over the canning process. These canners rely on the user input to adjust the temperature, time, or pressure and need to be monitered.
- Canner With Multiple Size Jars – These models are capable of handling a variety of jar sizes, from pint jars to quart jars, making them versatile and effective options for both commercial and home use.
Why Should You Consider An Electric Pressure Canner?
- Speedy Execution – Electric canners heat up quickly and can maintain the exact required pressure throughout the process without monitoring; this saves a lot of time in comparison to the traditional canning process.
- Multifunctional – It is a versatile appliance that can help you save time and space in your kitchen by working as a secondary device to cook other dishes. Many of them can be used as a pressure cooker or a steamer, among many other options. It can work as more than just a pressure canner.
- Easy & Convenient – A perfect solution for Hustlers who are leading a busy life. Electric pressure canners have preset programs that just need to be set, and you can go to have a cup of coffee.
- Safety features – Automatic pressure and temperature control, locking lid, insulated walls, etc., all these limit the risk of injuries or accidents. To guarantee that food is preserved safely.
- Convenient design – Features like compact and user-friendly design, digital display, preset programs, etc., make them easy to use for both amateur and experienced canners.
Characteristics Of A Good Electric Pressure Canner
While looking for a great Electric Pressure Canner, it is important to consider some of the essential things to ensure safety, ease of use, etc.
- Safety Attributes –
- Safety valves – In case of a critical situation or an emergency, it is very important to have a safety valve to release the excess pressure to avoid the explosion of canner or other accidents.
- Automated pressure adjustment – Both under and high pressure are unsafe, so it’s essential to have an automatic pressure control or turn-off mechanism in your electric pressure canner to ensure a maintained and controlled pressure throughout the process.
- Locking Lid – To avoid the opening of the lid while being under pressure, it’s crucial to have a locking lid to prevent injuries or other mishappenings.
- User-Friendliness – They need to be accessible to beginners, incorporating features such as preset settings or an intuitive control panel. Additionally, they should provide clear guidance for safe and effective operation, particularly for those new to the product.
- Simple Control Panel – Prefer to get one with a digital display that shows temperature, time, and other settings.
- Pre-programmed Settings – For beginners, it might be difficult to change the settings of the canner according to different types of ingredients (vegetables, meat, fruits, etc.). In order to avoid wasting time in reading the manual, it is better to have a canner with pre-programmed settings that can help you in canning and avoid wastage of food.
- Built Quality –
- The pressure canner should be made from high-quality material such as stainless steel to avoid corrosion and handle high pressure.
- A thick and insulated wall is compulsory to ensure safety and the even distribution of heat throughout the pressure pot and provide good results.
- Capacity –
- The size of the canner is important to fulfill your canning needs. It solely depends on the canning needs of the user, and depending on that, a particular size should be chosen.
- Moving forward, some of the products even offer racks to place multiple jars at once and make it time efficient.
- Temperature & pressure regulation – Always seek a canner that offers a wide range of pressure settings along with a temperature and pressure moniter to smoothen your canning experience.
- Size & Maintainance – A compact design is essential to look for if you have less counter or storage space. Furthermore, to sustain the life of a canner for long, it is important to have easy maintenance for which you can go for a non-stick coated models or an option of removeable parts which can also be dishwasher safe.
- Brand & Warranty – Buying a product from a good brand is important to ensure safety and quality, although they can be a little higher in price, still various models are budget-freindly and outperform great. Ensure that you choose an electric pressure canner that suits your needs and budget without compromising features.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the process of pressure canning is now not the game of only professionals, with the introduction of the latest models like many electric pressure canners offering advanced features such as pre-programmed settings, automatic pressure control, convent design, digital display, etc., allowing even the freshers to pursue their passion without any hustle. Unlike stovetop pressure canners, these electric canners require less space to store and operate, with better safety for beginners.
Many modern pressure canners can be used for multiple purposes rather than just canning such as cooking rice, steaming, or even as a pressure cooker. Because of this versatility, the have gained a lot of popularity in very less time. All these features make them a valuable addition to your kitchens for both professional and amateur canners, making the task of preserving food as easy as pie.
However, things like safety features (safety valve, locking lid, auto-cut, pressure adjustment, etc.) built quality, capacity, maintenance, etc. need to be kept in mind before choosing any particular model for your kitchen.
Finally, I hope till now you will be able to choose an electric pressure canner that suits your needs. And starts/continues your food preservation with a new company in your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the jars, bands, and lids be reused?
Both jars and bands are reusable until they are in good condition. However, lids need to be changed every time in order to avoid leakage and ensure proper seal and food safety.
Why did the jar break in a canner?
Thermal shock – When the jar is not exposed to heat or pre-heated then the sudden exposure to heat leads to the breaking of glass. To avoid it prefer to pre-warm the jar.
Other reasons like overtightening bands, using damaged jars, uneven heat distribution, too much water in the canner, overcrowding the canner by putting too many jars, using the wrong type of jar, or having high or low pressure.
All these can be avoided by properly following the instructions given for the particular pressure canner.
What is the difference between a pressure canner and a pressure cooker?
Firstly, pressure canners are designed specifically for canning, whereas pressure cookers are for cooking food. Further, pressure canners are larger than pressure cookers. Moreover, some models of pressure canner can be used for pressure cooking but pressure cooker can not be used for canning.
Can I reprocess the food if the lid did not seal?
Yes, you can reprocess the food while keeping some of the important points in mind such as checking the seal properly, reprocessing quickly, checking the food for any sign of spoilage, using a new lid (if required), etc.
How do you test jars so that they are sealed properly?
Can do a visual check or check for popping sound within 1 to 2 hours after canning to ensure that the lid is properly sealed. Further, after cooling down can check by lifting the jar with the lid. A press test is also effective, just press in the center of the lid and check if it is firmly sealed (moves or not).
Important point – always wait at least 12-24 hours before checking the seal, so the jar can properly make the vacuum.
Are electric canners as safe and effective as traditional canners?
Definitely, yes, they are as effective as traditional canners. However, they have some different features, such as electric canners having built-in safety features, whereas traditional canners offer manual control. Further, electric canners are easy to use and provide consistent results, whereas traditional canners don’t.
Can an electric pressure canner be used for different purposes?
Yes, electric pressure canners can be used beyond just canning. Many models now come with additional functions such as pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, or even baking, and much more.
Can an electric pressure canner be left unattended while it is working?
Despite all the modern safety features like auto-pressure control or emergency cut-off, it is recommended not to leave the canner completely unattended while in use. It’s because of safety concerns such as in case of pressure canner malfunction or to ensure the quality of canning. However, a periodic checkup is advised rather than continuous monitoring.
What is the average time taken by electric pressure canners to process food?
Although it depends on various factors such as the type of food, the jar size, the model of the pressure canner, or the location of the process (altitude or venue), but still the ideal time for most of the foods is approximately 1.5 to 3 hours.
Can a regular pressure cooker be used for canning?
Absolutely, not although both use pressure to carry on their work, they are designed for different tasks, having different capacities and limits.
Can an electric pressure canner be used for all types of food?
Electric pressure canners are suitable for many different types of food (low-acid foods) but not all. Specially high-acid foods (fruits, jams, pickles, etc.) are not suitable for these canners.