Presto Precise Digital Pressure Canners: Facts and FAQs

About the Presto Precise® Digital Canner

The Presto Precise® Digital Canner is uniquely designed for pressure canning and programmed to take the guesswork out of the canning process. Presto's electric canner line differs from both stovetop pressure canners and electric pressure cookers/multi-cookers by offering distinctive features.

Key Features:

• Temperature Sensor: Senses temperature rather than pressure, eliminating the need to adjust for elevation. It ensures the pressure canning phase begins only when the internal temperature reaches 240°F and consistently maintains it for the set processing time.
• Jar Warming: An automated function that heats jars to the appropriate temperature before filling and signals the user when they are ready. It maintains this temperature until the user is ready to proceed.
• Digital Display: Communicates with the user by illuminating the current canning phase and displaying prompts for required interaction.
• Error Codes: Alerts the user to problems with the canner or user errors during the process.
• Automatic Venting: Automatically vents to remove air, ensuring a pure, saturated steam environment for consistent temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is Presto Precise® the same company as Presto®?

Yes. Presto Precise® is a brand of National Presto Industries, Inc., the same company behind Presto® products. The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner offers innovative technology and the assurance of quality and safety from a trusted leader in home canning.

Q2: Does the digital pressure canner operate the same way as my stovetop canner?

Yes, but with key differences. While both pressurize similarly, the digital canner uses a temperature sensor to regulate pressure, ensuring a precise temperature of 240°F. There's no need to watch or adjust settings, and no adjustments are needed for high altitudes.

Q3: How do I know how much pressure to use?

It is not necessary to know the pressure. The canner automatically adjusts to maintain a 240°F temperature, regardless of elevation (1,000 to 10,000 feet). Temperature is the controlling parameter, making the method unaffected by elevation.

Q4: Has the Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner been approved by the USDA and the National Center for Home Food Preservation?

Neither agency certifies or approves home canning equipment. However, the canner has been subjected to extensive testing and designed to match the internal canner and jar temperatures achieved in a stovetop pressure canner.

Q5: Are there different styles of the Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner?

Yes. All styles offer the same digital canning technology but differ in capacity and attributes. The original style features a stainless steel shroud, a removable pot, and is available in 12- and 17-quart sizes. In 2025, a hybrid style was introduced, combining digital canning convenience with the classic design of the Presto® stovetop canner. This hybrid model features an integrated base, a heavy-gauge aluminum body and cover, and is available in 16- and 23-quart sizes.

Q6: What does it mean to properly vent the pressure canner?

Before pressurizing, the canner is programmed to vent. This phase exhausts air from the canner and jars to create a pure steam environment, ensuring uniform and consistent temperature throughout the processing time.

Q7: Is canner size an important factor for safe home pressure canning?

Yes. USDA low-acid pressure processing times are based on heat, time, and canner size. The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner, with its capacity for five quart jars, ensures sufficient capacity to maintain a pure steam environment for the entire canning process.

Q8: Can the digital canner also be used as a boiling water canner?

Yes. The digital interface allows selection between Pressure Can or Boiling Water Can. The boiling water method requires altitude adjustment as indicated in USDA guidelines.

Q9: Is an electric canner easy to use?

Yes. The digital canner offers convenience by allowing use anywhere with an outlet. It eliminates the need for monitoring gauges, automatically maintains temperature, requires no altitude adjustments for pressure canning, and features automatic venting.

Q10: Why does the canner automatically warm jars?

Jars are warmed to prevent breakage when filled with hot food and returned to the canner. The canner maintains a consistent water temperature during the filling process.

Q11: 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 indicates the current canning phase and prompts for user actions like inserting or filling jars.

Q12: How many jars does the digital canner hold?

The Presto Precise® Digital Pressure Canner is available in two styles and four sizes. Jar capacities are as follows:

Original Style (12- and 17-quart)

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

Jar Type	Pressure Canning		Boiling Water Canning
	Regular Mouth	Wide Mouth	Regular Mouth	Wide Mouth
Half-pints	10	13*	10	7
Pints	8	7	8	7
Quarts	5	5	n/a	n/a

*It will be necessary to double-deck these jars to achieve maximum jar capacity when pressure canning. Only pint and smaller jars can be processed using the boiling water method.

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

Jar Type	Pressure Canning		Boiling Water Canning
	Regular Mouth	Wide Mouth	Regular Mouth	Wide Mouth
Half-pints	19*	13*	10	7
Pints	8	13*	8	7
Quarts	5	5	5	5

*It will be necessary to double-deck these jars to achieve maximum jar capacity when pressure canning.

Hybrid Style (16- and 23-quart)

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

Jar Type	Pressure Canning		Boiling Water Canning
	Regular Mouth	Wide Mouth	Regular Mouth	Wide Mouth
Half-pints	13	16*	13	8
Pints	10	8	10	8
Quarts	7	7	n/a	n/a

*It will be necessary to double-deck these jars to achieve maximum jar capacity when pressure canning. Only pint and smaller jars can be processed using the boiling water method.

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

Jar Type	Pressure Canning		Boiling Water Canning
	Regular Mouth	Wide Mouth	Regular Mouth	Wide Mouth
Half-pints	26*	16*	13	8
Pints	20*	16*	10	8
Quarts	7	7	7	7

*It will be necessary to double-deck these jars to achieve maximum jar capacity when pressure canning.

Q13: Is the canner programmed to do everything?

Most functions are automated. The digital display and instruction manual guide the user through physical steps like adding water and jars, setting the timer, and positioning the regulator. Pressing the advance button continues the program.

Q14: 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 from the USDA publication, “Complete Guide to Home Canning,” which are the same recipes used with stovetop Presto® pressure canners.

Q15: Does the canner include recipes?

Yes, the canner includes complete instructions, a quick-start guide, and recipes for various foods like tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, seafood, fruits, salsa, pickles, jam, and jelly.

Q16: 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.

Q17: 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 maintain the required temperature for canning, not just pressure. It automatically vents air before temperature increases, ensuring consistent internal temperature. It also features a built-in jar warming function and will display an error code if the temperature drops below 240°F.

Q18: If the digital canner (hybrid style) doesn't have a removable pot, how do I clean the inside of the canner?

The interior of the hybrid-style canner holds water for canning and can be washed. Empty the canner, clean the interior with a wet, soapy cloth, rinse carefully, and dry completely. Avoid immersing the canner body in water.

Q19: Does the electric canner have parts that will need to be replaced?

Like a stovetop canner, the digital canner has a sealing ring and air vent/cover lock gasket that may require routine replacement. Consult the instruction manual for specific details.

Q20: 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 does not require calibration or checking.