Presto Precise Digital Pressure Canners

❓ 1. Is Presto Precise the same company as Presto?

? Yes. Presto Precise is also a brand of National Presto Industries, Inc. The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner equips both novice and experienced canners with innovative technology and the assurance of quality and safety from a trusted leader in home canning.

❓ 2. Does the digital pressure canner operate the same way as my stovetop canner?

? Yes, but with key differences. While pressurized similarly, it uses a temperature sensor instead of a pressure regulator or dial gauge. The digital canner's temperature sensor detects the exact temperature needed for canning and automatically maintains it for the selected time. No watching or adjustments are needed, and no adjustments are required for high altitudes.

❓ 3. How do I know how much pressure to use?

? It is not necessary to know how much pressure to use. The canner automatically adjusts pressure to maintain the processing temperature at 240°F, regardless of elevation (from 1,000 to 10,000 feet). Temperature is the controlling parameter, making the pressure canning method unaffected by elevation.

❓ 4. Has the Presto Precise Digital Pressure Canner been approved by the USDA and the National Center for Home Food Preservation?

? No. The USDA and the National Center for Home Food Preservation provide guidelines for home canning. Neither agency certifies or approves home canning equipment. However, the canner has undergone extensive testing and was designed to match the internal canner and jar temperatures achieved in a stovetop pressure canner.

❓ 5. Are there different styles of the Presto Precise Digital Pressure Canner?

? Yes. All styles offer the same digital canning technology but with different capacities and attributes.

Original Style:

Offers a stainless steel shroud that reduces noise and retains heat, helping to keep kitchens cooler. Features a removable pot and is available in 12- and 17-quart liquid capacity sizes.

Image Description: A 12-quart or 17-quart Presto Digital Pressure Canner with a stainless steel shroud, showing jars inside.

Hybrid Style (introduced 2025):

Combines the convenience of the digital canner with the classic design and capacity of the Presto® stovetop canner. Features an integrated base with the same digital canning technology. It has a heavy-gauge aluminum body and cover, making it durable yet lightweight. Despite a greater jar capacity, it has a comparable footprint to the original digital canner. This style is available in 16- and 23-quart liquid capacity sizes.

Image Description: A larger Presto Digital Pressure Canner (likely 16 or 23 quart) with a black body and silver lid.

❓ 6. What does it mean to properly vent the pressure canner?

? Before the digital canner pressurizes, it is programmed to vent. This venting phase is necessary to exhaust air from both the canner and the jars, creating a pure steam environment. Adhering to USDA food preparation guidelines, this phase ensures the canner is free of air pockets and maintains a uniform, consistent temperature, preventing fluctuations during processing.

❓ 7. Is canner size an important factor for safe home pressure canning?

? Yes. USDA low-acid pressure processing times were established based on heat, time, and a canner size that holds at least four quart jars. The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner, with its capacity to hold five quart jars, consistently maintains precise temperature and provides sufficient capacity for a pure steam environment throughout the canning process.

❓ 8. Can the digital canner also be used as a boiling water canner?

? Yes. It features a digital interface allowing the user to select either "Pressure Can" or "Boiling Water Can." Both processes are automated. The user selects the method and time from the desired recipe. The canner automatically detects the boiling point and accurately maintains that temperature. Unlike pressure canning, the boiling water method requires altitude adjustment for processing time, as indicated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publication, "Complete Guide to Home Canning."

❓ 9. Is an electric canner easy to use?

? Yes. The digital canner is designed to address concerns with traditional stovetop canning. It can be used anywhere with an outlet, eliminating the need to move it. Monitoring a dial gauge or rocking regulator is unnecessary as the canner automatically senses and maintains the required temperature. Adjustments for higher elevation are not needed for pressure canning due to automatic temperature regulation. Venting is also automatic, removing the need to determine start and end times.

❓ 10. Why does the canner automatically warm jars?

? Jars need to be kept hot to avoid breakage when filled with hot food and when placed back in the canner. Once warmed to the proper temperature, the canner maintains a consistent water temperature as the jars of food are being filled.

❓ 11. How does the canner guide me step by step?

? The digital canner's interface includes a control knob, advance/stop buttons, and an LED display. The display shows the current canning phase (warming, heating, venting, canning, cool down, done) and prompts user actions such as inserting jars, filling jars, and putting the regulator on (for venting conclusion).

Image Description: A diagram showing the canning process phases: WARM, VENT, HEAT, CAN, COOL, DONE, with user prompts like INSERT JARS, FILL JARS, PUT REGULATOR ON.

❓ 12. How many jars does the digital canner hold?

? The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner is available in two styles and four sizes. Mason jar capacities are detailed in the following charts:

12-Quart Digital Pressure Canner (Stock No. 02144)

* Double-decking jars may be necessary for maximum capacity during pressure canning. Only pint and smaller jars can be processed using the boiling water method.

17-Quart Digital Pressure Canner (Stock No. 02152)

* Double-decking jars may be necessary for maximum capacity during pressure canning.

16-Quart Hybrid Digital Pressure Canner (Stock No. 02154)

* Double-decking jars may be necessary for maximum capacity during pressure canning. Only pint and smaller jars can be processed using the boiling water method.

23-Quart Hybrid Digital Pressure Canner (Stock No. 02153)

* Double-decking jars may be necessary for maximum capacity during pressure canning.

❓ 13. Is the canner programmed to do everything?

? Most everything. The digital display or instruction manual/quick-start guide will direct the user through physical steps like adding water and jars, setting the timer, and positioning the regulator. Once these functions are performed, the user is instructed to press the advance button to continue the program.

❓ 14. Can I use my favorite tested canning recipes for stovetop canners with the electric canner?

? Yes, the Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner uses standard, research-tested processing guidelines for both pressure canning and boiling water canning from the USDA publication, "Complete Guide to Home Canning." These are the same recipes used with stovetop Presto® pressure canners.

❓ 15. Does the canner include recipes?

? Yes, the canner includes complete instructions, a quick-start guide, and recipes or procedures for tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish and seafood, as well as fruits, salsa, pickles, jam, and jelly.

❓ 16. What foods can be processed in the digital canner?

? Any food for which a tested canning recipe/procedure exists can be processed in the digital canner.

❓ 17. I know that I can't use an electric pressure cooker for canning. How is this different?

? The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner is designed specifically for canning. It is programmed to sense and strictly maintain the required temperature for canning rather than relying only on pressure. Key differences include:

1. The canner is programmed to sense and strictly maintain the required temperature for canning rather than relying only on pressure.
2. The digital canner automatically vents air from the canner before the temperature begins to increase, ensuring a uniformly consistent temperature.
3. The canner has a built-in jar warming function to keep jars warm until ready to fill.
4. In the unlikely event that the canner temperature falls below 240°F, it discontinues the canning process and displays an error code. Troubleshooting guidance is available in the instruction book.

❓ 18. If the digital canner (hybrid style) doesn't have a removable pot, how do I clean the inside of the canner?

? Unlike the original digital canner, the interior of the hybrid-style canner holds water for canning and can be washed. Never immerse the canner body in water. After pressure canning, empty the water into the sink, ensuring the control panel faces up to avoid damage. Clean the inside with a wet, soapy cloth, then rinse and dry completely. For boiling water canning, remove most of the water with a pitcher, then empty the remainder and clean as described.

❓ 19. Does the electric canner have parts that will need to be replaced?

? Yes, like stovetop canners, the digital canner has a sealing ring and an air vent/cover lock gasket that require routine replacement. Always check the instruction manual for your specific canner.

❓ 20. Do I need to have the digital pressure canner calibrated or checked on a regular basis?

? No. The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner is programmed electronically and will never require calibration or checking.