All American Pressure Canner Features I Like
All American Pressure Canner. We have had one for quite a few years and have used it a lot. Having recently canned again (65 quarts of garden carrots), it’s a good time to talk about this particular pressure canner once again.
- Model specifications
- Features that I like best
(jump down to the various model sizes)
And before you panic at the price tag for this top quality pressure canner, remember the following. You get what you pay for. This one will last ‘forever’.
There are certain things that I’m willing to pay for the best. Such as the things that I plan on using for the rest of my life. Buying it once, and done.
While I do have the Presto pressure canner (my first), and it still functions as expected, not long afterwards I also purchased the All American Pressure Canner.
And WOW what a difference. The ruggedness, sturdiness, design and manufacturing of the All American Pressure Canner is blatantly obvious.
Don’t get me wrong, we have processed many jars in our Presto canner! The following Presto model is the best selling canner of its price range on the market. Very popular!
Presto 23 Quart
(view on amzn)
With that said, our All American model 930 sure is wonderful… (more on the various models below, such as the differences between one versus another).
Here’s a picture of our All American Pressure Canner 930 filled with two stacked pint jar layers of chicken (link below on how we pressure can chicken).
Why the All American Pressure Canner is the Best
Best is always a subjective word. HOWEVER, in this case I would bet that everyone would likely agree that this one is the best pressure canner. Here are some of the features that I especially like about it:
The All American Pressure Canner is EXTRA HEAVY DUTY.
You can tell just by looking at the picture. This canner is made of extra heavy duty cast aluminum construction. It is thick.
The first thing I noticed when I received mine was it’s weight. While not unmanageable, the thickness of the walls and cover is substantial. Makes me feel a bit better (safer) while under pressure!
Note: Due to it’s weight, this pressure canner is not recommended for glass stove tops, which may break.
Tip: Due to fully loaded weight, I load it up while it’s already setting on the stove top. That way I don’t have to move it!
Cover Clamps (Wingnuts)
The All American Pressure Canner has a particularly unique and obvious feature. Clamping locks for the cover which ‘screw down’ in a clamping action to hold the cover closed and sealed to the base.
No Gasket. There’s no gasket! A unique metal to metal seal is formed between the cover rim and the pot itself due to it’s precision machining. Therefore there will never be a failing gasket to worry about. It seemed odd during my first use without a gasket, but it works perfectly!
How to put on the cover? First loosen and flip all the little clamps (wingnuts) over so they’re hanging down. Then set the cover on the canner. Line up the arrows. You can see the arrows in the lid photo below. You can also see (just to the left of the arrows) a little safety bracket that tucks under the clamp assembly. So you set the cover down, and twist it slightly. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.
It takes a little getting used to, but, when you set the cover on the canner – try to set the rim so it’s level. Then flip up the clamps in opposite pairs. Slowly tighten the pair to just snug. Then do another set of opposite pairs. When they’re all clamped, further snug the wingnuts securely.
Steam Gauge AND Weighted Pressure Regulator
I really like the fact that it has both a readable gauge AND weighted regulator (5, 10, 15psi).
2 Vents for Safety
For extra safety there is an over-pressure plug vent along with the normal vent. I like that…
Made in the USA
The All American Pressure Canner is made in the USA, manufactured by Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry since the 1930’s.
(about Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry)
Models
All American Pressure Canner models
The following All American Pressure Canner model sizes correspond to the number of liquid quarts it will hold, which obviously affects how many pint or quart size jars that will fit inside:
*The following jar capacity numbers are approximate and may vary with brand and style:
RM = Regular Mouth
WM = Wide Mouth
(view each linked model below, via their storefront on amzn)
Model 910 10 qt (7 RM pints or 5 WM pints or 4 RM/WM quarts)
Model 915 15 qt (10 RM pints or 8 WM pints or 7 RM/WM quarts)
Model 921 21 qt (19 RM pints or 16 WM pints or 7 RM/WM quarts)
Model 925 25 qt (19 RM pints or 16 WM pints or 7 RM/WM quarts)
Model 930 30 qt (19 RM pints or 16 WM pints or 14 RM/WM quarts)
Model 941 41 qt (31 RM pints or 26 WM pints or 20 RM/WM quarts)
Overall outside dimensions and weight
Model 910 (Diameter 13″, Height 12″) (14.8 pounds)
Model 915 (Diameter 15 1/2″, Height 12 1/2″) (15 pounds)
Model 921 (Diameter 15″, Height 15 3/8″) (17.75 pounds)
Model 925 (Diameter 11 7/8″, Height 16 3/4″) (24 pounds)
Model 930 (Diameter 12 1/4″, Height 19 3/8″) (28 pounds)
Model 941 (Diameter 15 1/4″, Height 19 3/8″) (33 pounds)
The most popular models are the All American Pressure Canner 915, followed by the 921 and 930. We have the 930. It’s rather large (and heavy – especially when full!) but it can do a lot in one batch.
So, what’s the difference between the model 915 versus 921? Basically, the 921 holds 9 more pints (regular mouth), or 8 more pints (wide mouth). In other words, you can double-stack the jars in a model 921.
So, what’s the difference between All American versus Presto canner? Basically, the ruggedness. Plus, the various size selections. I also feel ‘safer’ canning with the All American. It’s quite obvious which one is going to outlast the other – by quite a margin (grin). I would say for the casual canner, the Presto is just fine. It has worked well for us. Though now we mostly use the other.
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