With the stress of everyday life, the last thing you’d want to do is food prep under time constraints. That’s when the best pressure canner for glass top stove comes in handy. You get to reap the benefits of pressure canning.
Specifically made for low-acid foods, pressure canning is different from regular food canning.
You can store any food category in them, but with low-acid foods such as meat, pressure canners are a life savior.
By choosing one of the pressure canners mentioned in this article and learning the correct techniques, you’ll be a food canning pro in no time.
These appliances might give you an impression that they’re difficult to use, but they’re not at all.
No matter your level of skillfulness with kitchen appliances, learning how to can or bottle food with a pressure canning appliance is easy.
If you’ve been pressure canning for a while now, but you’ve recently bought a new glass stove, you might be wondering if you can still use your precious life-saving pressure canner. The good news is, you definitely can!
By the time you finish reading this article, you have all the information you need to pick a suitable pressure canner for a glass top stove. You will also understand the importance of using a pressure canner, and the technique on how to correctly use the appliance.
Best Pressure Canners for Glass Stove
Best for Large Quantities:
Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
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Pros:
- Doubles up as a boiling water canner for alkaline foods such as jams, pickles, salsas, fruits, and jellies.
- The gauge is easy to read and has a complete range of processing measures for accuracy
- The pressure canner has a cover/air vent lock which doesn’t allow the pressure to build unless the cover is properly closed and also prevents the cover from opening until pressure decreases to a safe level
- Durable and reliable with extra-strong aluminum
- Comes with a cooking and canning rack
- Comes with an instruction and recipe book for easy usage
- Carries big quantities
- The mason jar capacity is 24 half-pints, 20 pints, and 7 quarts
- Weighs only 12 pounds and measures 15.5 x 15 x 14.75” which makes it suitable for glass and ceramic stoves
Cons:
- Does not work well if the seal to the gauge is torn
This Presto 23-Quart model Pressure Canner is one of the most popular models in Presto, especially for those who are skeptical about using these heavy kitchen appliances with glass top stoves.
This pressure canner comes with a very clear and easy-to-follow manual for those who are still new to the pressure canning world.
Best for Dual Purpose:
T-fal Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel Cookware, Dishwasher...
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This dual-purpose T-Fal pressure and cooker has a huge number of features and is very popular in the online market. Its aluminum finishes, giving it an expensive look.
Pros:
- Decreases cooking time up to 30% without wasting valuable nutrients and flavor in the cooking process
- Contains two pressure settings – 10 and 15 for different types of meals, depending on what they need
- Durable and reliable with its stainless steel construction which allows the appliance to live longer
- Dishwasher safe, unlike many other pressure cookers/canners
- Suitable for use on any type of heat sources including induction
- Has a secure locking system for a risk-free opening and closing so the lid doesn’t open until the pressure is safe
- Safe to use on glass stoves
Cons:
- The gasket may need to change a few times if you plan on using this kitchen appliance for a prolonged period of time
This model comes with two cooking racks that prevent food from sticking to the bottom, has three PSI settings. Its 22 quarts size is very suitable for large portions.
A reliable pressure cooker that can also be used for canning, this appliance is a great multi-purpose choice.
Best for Induction Ranges:
Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
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Pros:
- Works on all types of stoves including glass top and ceramic top stoves
- Allows for multi-purpose use as a pressure cooker, and even a boiling-water canner for preserving alkaline foods such as jellies, pickles, salsa, fruits, and jams
- Comes with a canning and cooking rack
- a complete and simple to follow manual and recipe book are provided
- Comes with a 12-year limited warranty
- Constructed with heavy-gauge aluminum for reliability, the aluminum also helps with fast and even cooking
- Comes with a pressure dial gauge that processes with a complete range for accurate measurement
- Large capacity for time-efficient operations
Cons:
- The possibility of working with portable induction burners
Almost all pressure cookers and canners are made of aluminum which adds to the reliability of the kitchen appliance. However, this specific model has a stainless steel-clad base added to its 23-quart model with the ability to work in electric, gas, and smooth-top ranges.
However, if you have a portable burner, it’s better not to use a pressure canner because of its inability to produce sufficient heat needed to effectively finish the pressure canning process.
Best for Durability
All American 921 Canner Pressure Cooker, 21.5 qt, Silver
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Pros:
- Very high durability and reliability with its hand-cast aluminum
- Has no gaskets which usually crack, burn, or need cleaning
- Has a metal-to-metal sealing system for a risk-free steam seal
- 5, 10, and 15 PSI settings
- Comes with an automatic pressure regulator
- Handles large portions due to its large capacity (21.5 quarts)
- Easy opening and closing
- Easy to clean
- Has thick edges
Cons:
- Very costly but worth the money
Buying the All American 921 Canner Pressure Cooker is worth the money because of its reliability and durability, its large quantity for time-efficient cooking and canning processes.
All American emphasizing the safety features in this model, like a cool phenolic handle and clamping wing nuts for a risk-free opening and closing of the appliance.
With the easily readable and accurate steam gauge, it’s easy to monitor and control the pressure level of this pressure canner and cooker.
The investment is worth it, as this is a reliable device that can be used for dual purposes such as cooking and canning.
Best for Safety:
Zavor EZLock 10 Quart Stove-top Pressure Cooker & Canner -...
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Pros:
- High emphasis on safety with the easy and safe locking feature that comes with the universal locking mechanism where the lid easily locks into place when you turn the knob.
- The flexibility of pressure settings that range from high to low pressures, ranging from 8 PSI to 15 PSI
- This kitchen appliance provides 3 times faster cooking than regular pressure cookers
- Very reliable and durable with its stainless steel construction
- The pressure canner for glass top stoves
- Can be used with electric, ceramic, gas, and induction stoves for high convenience
- Comes with a 10-year warranty
- Silicon gasket
- Comes with a recipe book
- 12.7 Quart capacity
Cons:
- When it comes to searing, the diameter is a bit small
- Even though its a quick device, the canning process takes longer than the cooking process
This Zavor EZLock Stove-top Pressure Cooker and Canner is one of the top-ranked pressure canners and cookers and has Amazon’s choice credit sign.
Coming with an extraordinary safety and pressure system, this product is highly reliable and safe. Also, the stainless steel construction makes the product very reliable and durable with a classy look and finish.
If you’re considering a pressure cooker and canner with safety as a priority, look no further than this pressure canner for glass top stoves.
Water Baths vs. Pressure Canning
We’re all familiar with the regular technique of canning food with water baths, so why bother with buying a pressure canning and changing our food canning routine at all?
These two techniques are completely different from one another and serve different purposes.
Food just like most things has a pH level.
Let me provide you with a refresher, pH level scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Levels less than 7 are considered acidic, while those more than 7 are considered alkaline.
Some of them are highly acidic like any type of berries, certain fruits with a high acidic level, or a dish that included any of those – lemon juice, orange juice, any type of vinegar, or citric acid.
Consequently, those highly acidic foods are suitable for the water-boiling method.
On the contrary, alkaline foods such as certain vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish require the use of a pressure canner for storage to ensure safety and avoid food poisoning at all costs.
How Food is Preserved in the Best Pressure Canner for Glass Top Stove
It is paramount to focus on properly preserving food, especially low-acid food.
Since, low-acid foods such as meat, fish, vegetables (excluding most tomatoes), and poultry, can cause one of the most dangerous food poisonings if incorrectly stored.
Let’s dig deeper into the details. The fatal toxin that’s supported by low-acid foods is called “Botulism”. The pressure canner produces a high temperature that destroys the Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
On the other hand, the heat temperature produced by traditional boiling water cans (which are known to be used for storing pickles) isn’t sufficient to ensure the destruction of the fatal clostridium botulinum bacteria.
The side effects from the prolonged existence of this type of bacteria can range from mild to possibly fatal.
Pressure Canners are Not the Same as Pressure Cookers
A pressure cooker is not the same as a pressure canner by all means – each serving a different purpose. You should know that pressure canners can be multi-used for canning and cooking, but pressure cookers are only used for cooking.
Nonetheless, there are differences.
Pressure canners are specifically manufactured to store foods. Therefore, pressure canners are made larger than pressure cookers, and can handle heat and pressure for prolonged periods which is essential for killing harmful toxins in low-acid foods.
The reason behind the inability of pressure cookers to be used as canners even though they both look very similar is that pressure cookers cannot withstand the tremendous amount of heat that pressure cookers can, which is the main component for safety maintenance.
How do Pressure Canners Work?
Once you insert the food and close the lid tightly with the canner’s petcock, turn on the heat and leave it on for a while.
Then, the water starts to boil and generates steam which will consequently increase the amount of pressure inside the canner.
You should let the pressure canner reach the suitable pressure level which can be read on gauge, and wait for the processing process to be over.
You should allow the pressure level to decrease till it reaches zero before you open the lid of the pressure canner. Then your food can be safely stored.
What makes pressure canners special is that even though they operate on high pressure and temperature, the food processed doesn’t lose its nutrients or its flavor.
This allows you to enjoy your favorite foods in whatever season of your preference with zero risks of food poisoning or spoilage.
How to Choose a Suitable Pressure Canner for Glass Top Stove
On the hunt for a pressure canner for a glass top stove and aren’t sure of what features exactly you should be looking for?
Here’s a quick guide on the features you should keep an eye on for a worthy pressure canner.
Safety Features
When considering a pressure canner appliance, you need to check whether it’s listed with a credible safety testing organization or not.
Examples of these organizations include Canadian Underwriter Laboratories (CUL) or Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
When choosing a model, look for those with multiple safety features like a lid-locking system that doesn’t allow the lid to open when the pressure is not low enough, and for pressure canners with gaskets, look for a vent window feature.
Gaskets
Gaskets are the component that is found between the two metal edges in lids that lock by twisting the lid for a secure seal.
Problems can occur with the gasket component. The gasket component can burn, break, or get worn out quickly. Therefore, you might need to replace it several times in the pressure cooker’s lifetime.
As a result, finding a model that has easily accessible gasket components is essential so you don’t have to spend a lifetime searching for gaskets whenever they need a replacement.
Material
Material plays a very important role in the quality of the pressure canner. The only materials to consider when buying one are stainless steel or aluminum, anything else is a waste of money.
Stainless steel appliances are more costly and weigh more than aluminum ones. On the other hand, stainless steel appliances are highly durable and reliable and can be used for prolonged periods.
On the contrary, aluminum pressure canners are more on the lightweight and less expensive side. Also, the aluminum material makes them an excellent source of conductivity making them heat faster than usual.
However, the downside to aluminum is that this material tends to lose its spotless surface after a while and become stained. There are cons and pros for each, so, it’s your decision which outweighs the other.
Capacity
Usually pressure canners can fit around two layers of jars. Bigger sizes give you the option of double layering with what’s called half-pint and pint jars.
Keep in mind that the capacity measurements are based on the assumption that you will be using regular-sized mouth jars, or else, the kettle won’t fit. With this type of appliance, capacity is measured in quarts.
Pressure Indicators: pressure indication is one of the most important features to look for when purchasing a pressure canner for a glass top stove since the whole process revolves around the pressure conducted in the appliance.
Mot pressure canners come with a dial gauge for an easily readable and accurate measurement of the pressure with ranges from 5 TO 15 PSI.
The other type of pressure indicator is the weighted gauge which is placed on the top of the steam opening.
This method is a little less direct since you have to sense if the weight is spinning, jiggling, or rocking on the lid that the pressure is suitable.
Don’t worry, even if you choose the weighted gauge option, it’s not that hard since the instructions manual comes with a clarification on how to measure the pressure by the jiggles per minute.
If you want to add more pressure to your kettle, consider increasing the weight of the gauge.
Handles and Knobs
The best kind of handles and knobs to look for are the chunky ones with a comfortable grip with of course a material that resists heat.
Don’t underestimate this feature because when the pressure canner is full, it becomes incredibly heavy.
Choose a handle and knob that will allow you lift the appliance with ease (and without an uncomfortable grip), for maximum security. This will help you avoid the risk of getting burned.
Lids
Lids that close by twisting and locking them are the most popular type on the market.
These types of lids have to come with a gasket and are connected to the edges of the appliance. This is so that the lid can be easily stuck to place and will securely close with a simple twist.
“Metal-on-metal” lids are another popular type of lids available on the market. The reason behind this name is that they have clamps set around the perimeter of the appliance.
The best thing about this style is that they don’t require a gasket which is a component that needs replacing period now and then. So, you save yourself the hassle of replacing it.
However, you might need a bit of lubrication every once in a while.
How to Use a Pressure Canner on a Glass Top Stove
Now that you have a significant amount of background information about pressure canners, let’s delve into the fundamentals of using a pressure canner for a glass top stove.
The first question that tends to pop up is: How to put an appliance this heavy on a glass top stove?
This will not be a problem if you follow these simple instructions:
Filling
When filling your pressure canner with water, start filling it when it’s already on the stove. This is because the canner gets too heavy if you filled it first, and can land too hard on the glass top stove which might cause damage.
Lift and don’t drag
When moving your pressure canner, always lift it up and never drag!
Since it’s so heavy, dragging it on your glass top stove can create scratches.
Therefore, it’s important to choose a model that comes with handles that are heat resistant and have a comfortable grip.
Choose a bottom that fits your stove’s burner
When choosing a pressure canner for glass top stove, it’s smart to look for those with the following:
Bottoms that are flat, solid, and might have a very slight difference in measurement from the stove’s burner.
Pressure canners that are significantly bigger than the burner can cause extra heat. This leads to the glass top stove eventually breaking.
Start with the highest heat setting
Only do this until the water reaches a full boil, and lower the heat and keep the suitable pressure level.
Don’t leave the kettle at a high temperature throughout the canning process because it ruins it.
Pour hot water from the beginning
When pouring water into the pressure canner, start with hot tap water instead of cool water. This is because it boils up quicker avoiding the heat variance issue.
Contact the pressure canner’s manufacturer directly
Consult your manufacturer about the model you’re considering buying and whether it can be used on a glass top stove. Since glass top stoves can’t withstand very high temperatures and weight. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Transfer kettle to a different burner
Take note of the following when the pressure canning process is done and it’s time for cool down:
Transferring the pressure canner to a cool burner will help to speed up the cooling down process.
Conclusion
Now you have the information you need to choose a pressure canner for a glass top stove.
There are a lot of reliable options available on the market.
Investing in a high-quality pressure canner is worth every penny. Also, it’s not an investment that you’ll need to make often. These appliances last for a long time and usually come with a long warranty period.
To use a pressure canner with ease, take note of the following. You need to be aware of the amounts and types of foods, and the pressure level needed. Also, this appliance deals with very high levels of temperature and pressure. Hence, it is crucial to choose pressure canners that provide sufficient safety features.
Enjoy your pressure canning adventures!
