Is your pressure canner gauge accurate?

By PR Extension Office

When it comes to home food preservation, a pressure canner is a very important piece of equipment. The dial gauge on your pressure canner should be checked annually, which can be done free of charge at the MSU Extension Office- Powder River County in Broadus explained Julie Riley, Extension Agent.

There are two types of pressure canners, a weighted gauge and a dial gauge. The difference is that the weighted gauge rocks or jiggles under pressure, whereas the dial gauge has a dial that registers the amount of pressure in the canner.

Weighted gauges are noisy because the pressure is released and rocks or jiggles the weight, but they are always accurate when used correctly. Make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions to know what the correct procedure is when using a weighted gauge pressure canner.

A dial gauge canner needs to register the correct pressure to ensure that the foods being processed are properly canned. There is a potential for unsafe processing if the gauge reads 2 pounds pressure high or low, jeopardizing the safety of the food in the jar. If the gauge registers more than 2 pounds high or low, you need to replace the gauge.

To get your dial gauge tested you can send it in to Presto or bring the lid or just the gauge into the county Extension office. It is also a good practice to make sure the lid fits tightly, the pressure plug is in place and that the rubber gasket (if your canner has one) is free from cracks. A well-maintained canner is essential for safe home canned foods.