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View Full Version : What good places to buy pressure canners & water canners in GTA (or outside GTA)?



thedealhunter2000
Dec 26th, 2011, 03:06 AM
Hi,

I know this is a little last minute as I am trying to capture the boxing day (-YES I KNOW IT's OVER NOW-) sales thing. I'm not sure to post this in the Home & Garden or Food & Drink area so I may make a carbon copy of the message in each as IMHO it can pertain to both areas of the board.

I'm looking to get into canning and it seems water canning is the easiest but also limiting as meats are out of the question if you plan to can according to the USDA guidelines. With a pressure canner I can can meats, process stuff faster, and I think less stuff could go mush. My understanding right now on the pressure canners is that technology has advanced over the decades that IIRC reading and hearing on Youtube and random websites/blogs that todays modern pressure canners have about 3 safety implimentations in place to prevent the pressure canner from exploding unless you really really defeat all the safeties on the pressure canner then you'll likely cause the pressure canner to explode.

With that said my understanding is that All American's 'metal to metal' seal lasts the longest with no seals to buy which I've read reports of people having theirs for like 30yrs. I also read up on the Presto 1781 model as well. I am looking for a dial gauge model. IIRC I've read on Amazon and other sites that the dial gauges should be tested by qualified professionals (forgot what site/review recommended the fire dept. do the test for you).

With that comment on the dial guages needed to be tested to ensure them working properly I need a store with a good service/return/exchange policy. I called Home Hardware before and they said they will take returns if the item is not used however they won't allow you to use it to see if it will hold 'true' pressure to the dial or to test how the pressure canners seals hold as they consider the unit used and non returnable then. I told them how is one supposed to know if the seals hold or the dial guage is 'true' if you don't test it? They simply said 'no returns' and that was that.

So my question to you all is I would like to know what /GOOD/ stores in the GTA that sell pressure canners and water bath canners where you can get excellent help, service, and most importantly post sale service & support with a /GOOD RETURN POLICY/.???


Thanks in advance.

Of yes, if you could please list the store name, location, what is a good RFD price and fair price. The more options the better.

thedealhunter2000
Jan 6th, 2012, 07:20 PM
Bumpski for feedback and help.

thedealhunter2000
Feb 15th, 2012, 11:03 PM
Bumping for feedback. Thanks

Ekenfo
Feb 22nd, 2012, 11:57 AM
I have a Presto (not sure if it's the 1781) and never tested the dial gauge...
It came with a 15-pound regulator but I bought this one LINK (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HMBVQ8) and I use it to maintain 10 pounds of pressure. It confirms that my gauge is correct and I don't need to adjust the temperature too often.

If you think Canadian Tire has a good return policy, they sell this one LINK (http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/8/KitchenBath/1/Cookware/PressureCookers/PRDOVR~0428305P/Pressure+Cooker%2C+22qt+%2821L%29.jsp?locale=en)
but it doesn't have a dial gauge.

Hope this helps!

thedealhunter2000
Feb 22nd, 2012, 11:06 PM
I have a Presto (not sure if it's the 1781) and never tested the dial gauge...
It came with a 15-pound regulator but I bought this one LINK (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HMBVQ8) and I use it to maintain 10 pounds of pressure. It confirms that my gauge is correct and I don't need to adjust the temperature too often.

If you think Canadian Tire has a good return policy, they sell this one LINK (http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/8/KitchenBath/1/Cookware/PressureCookers/PRDOVR~0428305P/Pressure+Cooker%2C+22qt+%2821L%29.jsp?locale=en)
but it doesn't have a dial gauge.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the reply. Been a while and was thinking no one else canned on such a large board looking for savings. :cry: Since being interested in canning for an extended pantry I've come to like the All American for the no seals to replace but the price.....gah the price. I've also read up on the Presto 1781 and I think having more visual indicators helps with the safety side of things. Last thing I want is to look at the ceiling. :(

What have you canned and how did they turn out?

Ekenfo
Feb 23rd, 2012, 10:08 AM
The problem with canning is that people do it a lot of different ways (oven, etc.) and they think that if the jar is sealed then it's safe. I talked to some people about pressure canner for low-acid food and they told me they never been sick with their method so they don't need a pressure canner. :facepalm:

I bought my pressure canner two years ago and so far I have canned sloppye Joes, carotts, meat balls, chicken soup, beans in maple syrup , creton (pork spread) and spaghetti sauce. The results are pretty good but sometimes it feels like it's too much cooked , even if I only use recipes specially designed for pressure canners.

With boiling water canner, I canned salsas, relishes, green tomato ketchup, pickled sweet red peppers and some jams and jellies.

It takes a lot of space to store all these jars!

I'm very satisfied with my Presto. I never needed to change the seal yet and I really love the 10-pound regulator because it allows me to keep an ear on it so I can do other things around without always watching it.
If the dial gauge was maladjusted for whatever reason the regulator would still do its job and release excessive pressure so I feel really safe using it.