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Presto Electric Pressure Canner #681748

Asked February 25, 2021, 9:14 AM EST

Hi, I recently purchased a Presto Digital Pressure Canner (not pressure cooker) after reading good reviews and seeing that it followed USDA safe pressure canning guidelines. After many years using a traditional Presto Pressure Canner, I was excited to try this out. However, upon receiving it I realized that it was not USDA certified, but rather that it follows safe canning guidelines per USDA, which led me to have a few concerns, namely that it was not USDA approved. However, upon further research, I realized that USDA does not certify/approve specific canners, but rather guidelines for pressure cooking. I am just curious to see if you guys have any thoughts or inputs on using this Pressure Canner. I know there is some hesitation in the industry due to it being non-traditional, but I am also skeptical that Presto would risk their name on something that is unsafe. Does OSU have any plans to test this product? Any help is appreciated. thanks!

Benton County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi Jeff,

This is a great question and you definitely did your due diligence in tracking down the "requirements" for these types of equipment. 

There have been some previous versions of similar equipment (supposed electric pressure canners) that we definitely DO NOT recommend because they underprocess foods compared to the USDA recommended canning guidelines. The Presto Digital Pressure Canner is a new piece of equipment and from our initial reviews of their data it looks promising, but we still have some questions about it. OSU is in the planning stage of experiments to confirm that this product will achieve the targeted lethality and meet or beat the USDA canning guidelines.

I wish that I could give you a firm answer today, but it will take some more time to gather the data we need to feel comfortable with a recommendation. 

Thanks for using Ask Extension!

Joy

Joy Waite-Cusic Replied March 01, 2021, 10:31 AM EST
Hi Joy,

I really appreciate the response! I figured there was some ongoing testing that needed to be done and that there would be no decision as of yet. Just for my own curiosity, do you happen to know a general time frame on your testing? I do not want to bug you guys, but would love to follow up at a later (reasonable) date to see what you have concluded. Should I check back in a few months, a year, etc.? Thanks!

On Mon, Mar 1, 2021 at 10:31 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 01, 2021, 1:53 PM EST

Hi Jeff,

Good question. I am hopeful that at least the first phase of testing will be completed in the next few months.

Joy

Joy Waite-Cusic Replied March 02, 2021, 11:20 AM EST

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