Presto Pressure Canner and Cooker Getting Acquainted, Three-Piece Pressure Regulator, Vent Pipe

Getting Acquainted

Your canner is a special, large capacity pressure vessel designed for home canning a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, and poultry. The canner may also be used to fast cook many of your favorite foods in larger quantities than can be prepared in a conventional size pressure cooker.

The canner uses pressure to achieve the high temperatures required for safely processing foods while canning. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends the pressure canner as the only safe method for canning low-acid foods—vegetables, meats, and poultry.

The canner will also cook many foods in one-third to one-tenth the time required by conventional methods. Pressure cooking preserves flavor and nutrients and tenderizes tougher cuts of meat.

It is necessary to follow a few special rules in using and caring for your Pressure Canner. Become familiar with the various parts as shown in the diagram below and read the “How To Use” sections beginning on Pages 4, 6, 18, and 20, before using for the first time.

7 4 3 2 1 6 5 4. LOCKING BRACKET

1. THREE-PIECE PRESSURE REGULATOR

The pressure regulator controls and maintains the correct pressure in the canner. The correct pressure is obtained when the pressure regulator begins a gentle rocking motion.

2. VENT PIPE

The pressure regulator fits over the vent pipe and allows excess pressure to be released.

3. AIR VENT/COVER LOCK

The air vent/cover lock automatically “vents” or exhausts air from the canner and acts as a visual indication of pressure in the canner. The small gasket must be in place for the air vent/cover lock to seal completely.

REPLACEMENT PARTS

The locking bracket on the inside of the canner body engages with the air vent/cover lock to prevent the cover from being opened when there is pressure in the unit.

6. SEALING RING

The sealing ring fits into the canner cover and forms a pressure-tight seal between the cover and body during canning and cooking.

7. OVERPRESSURE PLUG

The overpressure plug is located in the canner cover. It will automatically pop out and release steam in case the vent pipe becomes blocked and/or clogged and pres- sure cannot be released normally through the vent pipe.

8. CANNING-COOKING RACK

The canning-cooking rack is placed in the bottom of the canner to hold jars off the bottom of the unit while canning. When cooking, the rack is used for steaming foods. It can also be used to hold foods such as vegetables out of the cooking liquid which allows several foods to be cooked at the same time without an intermingling of flavors. When it is desirable to blend flavors, do not use the canning-cooking rack. The canning-cooking rack must always be used when canning.

PRESTO Canner parts are available at most hardware stores or see parts information on page 35.

When ordering parts, please specify the seven digit model number found stamped on the side of the canner body.

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