Presto Pressure Canner

Pressure Cooker Canner

A pressure cooker and a pressure canner are often the exact same tool. Some people think they're different because cooking and canning have different end goals. One is to be eaten right away the other is for preserving and eating later. But the same pot can be used for both functions. It's always nice when you can find an item that serves double duty and does more than one useful thing for you.

So why bother with a pressure cooker instead of just using it for canning? Well, a pressure cooker will allow you to cook things much faster than normal. Because of the increased pressure during cooking, it effectively raises the boiling point of the water inside so it can get much hotter before it actually boils. This allows for a much more rapid cooking time, which can be important in commercial settings as well as when cooking for very large groups. Many people also feel that it adds more juicyness and moisture to the food making it more tender, such as in the case of hard potatoes.

Some people will also use a pressure cooker canner unit for sterilizing. Since the boiling point of the water is raised so much higher than normal it kills off a large number of bacteria and viruses which makes it perfect for cleaning baby bottles or other small items that should be super clean before repeated use. Campers can even use it for cleaning their water as drinking direct from outdoor sources can often be the cause of numerous water born diseases (too much bacteria).

Not many people are familiar with the idea of pressure cooking, so there are entire cookbooks devoted to it. Just like the sensation of cooking in a crockpot, pressure cooking has its advantages and once you know how to do it, it could become a much more common aspect of your meal preparation. If only for the fact of saving significant amounts of time. Since the pot is so durable, made of either aluminum or stainless steel, it tends to last a very long time. When you first get it you should have the pressure gauge tested at your local extension office, but once that has checked out you'll likely have a great tool at your disposal for a very long time. You'll bring it out for fast cooking, unique meals, and for canning fruits, meats and vegetables when they're in season so you can have them to enjoy out of season.

The benefits of this one kitchen tool are tremendous. For about $100 you have a very versitile piece of equipment that would serve you or a family member quite well. It would make a great gift for anyone getting married or moving into a new home.